Valerie Linsner | 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 2021/22 Season.

Valerie Linsner in Julianna Rubio Slager’s Four Seasons of the Soul. Costume design by Lorianne Robertson.

Q. Pick one word to describe the 2021/22 Season. Why?

A. Enlarging - while I personally had my capacity enlarged and did things this year I wouldn't have thought possible a year ago, I also feel as though the company's breadth in opportunities enlarged this year. While we were joyously able to return to large theater performances this year, getting to see the company return to stages we'd been to before as a more mature group was beautiful to behold. I'm excited to see what's beyond the horizon. This season also reminds me of the Bible verse Ephesians 3:20 which says, "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." He showed Himself so very able to me this year, and is enlarging my faith. 

Q. You performed many works this season! Does one stand out as the most meaningful or most notable for you personally? Why?

A. Getting to perform the Summer Pas de Deux from Four Seasons of the Soul was a really special gift this year. Truly an aspiration lived. 

Q. What or who has inspired you this season?

A. My co-workers inspire me daily. Their love, encouragement, service, sacrifice, and going beyond expectations are things I hope to never take for granted in a work environment and community. These people are extraordinary and oh, so dear.

Q. What are you looking forward to next season?

A. I'm really looking forward to the creative and rehearsal process of BareFace, since it's all about the motives behind our actions. I anticipate being challenged and learning a lot personally during that ballet.