Ballet 5:8 Bring Ballet-Film Hybrid “Scarlet“ To Las Cruces

Returning to Las Cruces for the first time since 2015, Ballet 5:8 is bringing the visually stunning performance of “Scarlet” to New Mexico State University’s Atkinson Recital Hall, 1075 N. Horseshoe St., on Tuesday, March 6. With a combination of original choreography, music, film elements and spoken word, this is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

“Scarlet” is inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel “The Scarlet Letter,” a tale of the struggles of hypocrisy, shame and the hope for redemption. The project of transforming “The Scarlet Letter” into a multimedia performance began in 2015. Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager said after a year of reading the novel, note taking and collaboration, the choreography began to take shape.

“Hawthorne’s ability to embody a character's inner turmoil lends itself brilliantly to dance,” Slager said. “Ballet speaks the language of physicality by its nature. I believe ballet is a rich medium for retelling this timeless story because it can capture the descriptive and detailed style of Nathaniel Hawthorne by transforming the internal dialogue into physical movement that transcends words.”           

Ballet 5:8, a Chicago-based professional ballet company, was founded in 2012 by Slager and Executive Director Amy Sanderson. The company centers on authentic storytelling and performances that spark discussion.

“All too often classical ballet can seem removed or elitist, but we feel that dance is a very natural human language, and as such has a remarkable ability to transcend our differences to teach us a universal message,” Slager said.

When Ballet 5:8 visited Las Cruces in 2015, the company began a partnership with Michele’s Dance Academy, a local studio, using their dance floor to practice and teaching a master class to Las Cruces dancers, said Laura Self, director and ballet instructor at Michele's.

Ballet 5:8 has joined forces with Michele's Dance Academy once again, with three young dancers performing in ”Scarlet.” The dancers from Michele’s Dance Academy are Nevaeh Holguin, 11, who plays Young Pearl and sisters Chaley,12, and Kynley Cartwright, 9, who play Pearl’s children. Self said she is teaching her dancers the choreography in preparation for the show.

“Michele’s Dance Academy is proud to work with outside companies,” Self said. “It gives our young dancers something they will never forget.”  

Brette Benedict, lead artist with Ballet 5:8, has been dancing with the company since 2014. In “Scarlet,” she plays the lead role of Hester Prynne. Benedict said the best part of performing in “Scarlet” is the mixture of all the elements: the music and the choreography with the story and costumes, which all come together to bring the story to life.

“If you've read the book ‘The Scarlet Letter,’ love ballet, love music, love theater and love a good story, this would be the ballet to come see,” Benedict said. “The story line keeps moving forward; there are small, subtle movements that make profound statements. There's judgment, tension, struggle, love, fear, hate, insecurity and so much more in this ballet. You won't want to miss it.”

“Scarlet” is unique in how it uses several platforms to create the performance. The original choreography is by Slager, the score is by American modernist composer Charles Ives, film elements are directed by Preston Miller and the spoken word was created by Chicago artist Kylla Pate. After the performance, audience members are invited to stay for the open panel discussion with Slager and artists of the company.

“You will leave with a thoughtful presentation of themes about hypocrisy, forgiveness, sin and redemption — themes that will leave you feeling inspired and renewed as you step out of the theater," Slager said. "That is something we all need as we go about our busy lives, and is worth the short two hours of watching the performance."

“Scarlet” will show in Las Cruces for one night only at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for students/seniors and $15 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available through ballet58.org, by calling 312-725-4752 or in person at the Ashley Homestore, 3299 Del Rey Blvd. For information, visit ballet58.org/scarlet.

Sylvia Quintanilla is a freelance writer and may be reached at sylviaq02@gmail.com