Melanie Rodrigues | 22/23 Season in Review
One of our Ballet 5:8 traditions at the end of each performance season is to ask the artists of the company to share some reflections with us. A special thank you to the artists of the company for sharing about their experiences in the 2022/23 Season.
Photo by Kristie Kahns.
Q. Pick one word to describe the 2022/23 Season. Why?
A. Sweet! This season was filled with so many precious moments. I met so many people at the various theaters, tour locations, and partnerships across Chicago and the Midwest, while also enjoying making sweet memories with my friends and colleagues along the way.
Q. Can you share a favorite moment from on- or off-stage?
A. One favorite moment was the last show of the season, the last scene of Act 1 of BareFace at the Harris Theater where a group of us gathered around a screen cheering on Elizabeth and James and watching them absolutely CRUSH it & and hit some incredible feats. It was a moment in time that I will treasure!
Q. You performed many works this season! Does one stand out as the most meaningful or most notable for you personally? Why?
A. Performing the "Flames" section in Gospel Impressions was extra special for me. It was my first time in this piece after the company performed this ballet last year. It looked technically challenging to perform which was stretching for me, but I grew to absolutely love the ballet. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to perform it!
Q. What or who has inspired you this season?
A. This season I was struck with the concept of possessive love which was a theme brought up in BareFace. It was something that I hadn’t thought about. I didn’t even think that love could have that kind of shadow side. BareFace took these concepts and made them come alive. One day sitting in rehearsal and seeing it played out I realized I have the tendency to be possessive in my friendships. I’m very grateful to have an awareness and allow it to shape and grow my relationships.
Q. What are you looking forward to next season?
A. I am looking forward to bringing back Butterfly as well as jumping into the new repertoire by Julianna Rubio Slager, particularly Lost Women of Juarez and The Sea is Flat!