Groundbreaking Ballet-Film Adaption of American Classic at South Broadway Cultural Center
CHICAGO – Ballet 5:8 will make a debut visit to Albuquerque in March, bringing its film/dance hybrid production inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter to the South Broadway Cultural Center. The company’s dramatic adaptation pairs original choreography by Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager and a stunning score by American modernist composer Charles Ives with Spoken Word created by Chicago artist Kylla Pate, and film elements directed by Preston Miller. Scarlet delves into the timeless struggles of hypocrisy, shame and ultimately, the hope of redemption. After the performance, audience members are invited to discuss their experience and ask questions during open panel discussion with Slager and artists of the company. The single Albuquerque performance will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 7:00pm at the South Broadway Cultural Center.
Audience members at the world premiere of Scarlet described the ballet as “spectacular,” and “brilliantly choreographed.” Scarlet follows the iconic Hester Prynne as she wrestles with her open guilt and grief in a judgmental society, while Reverend Dimmesdale suffers in silence with his secret sin and love. The story of Scarlet is difficult, but that is what makes redemption shine so brightly.
In addition to Ballet 5:8 professional dancers, the Albuquerque performance will feature local cast members playing special children’s roles. Dancers from Hayden School of Ballet under the direction of Celia Dale will include: Camar Sinead Dhaoudi (Young Pearl), and Naima Lanae Dhaoudi and Adelia Jane Suddarth-Urrea (Pearl’s Children).
Scarlet is on the cutting edge of multidisciplinary art. The production weaves the visual strength of film and the emotional impact of Spoken Word into the beauty, grace and power of ballet. Each artistic discipline adds a unique texture and voice into the narrative, creating a multi-layered and dynamic experience within a timeless story.
According to Johnny Nevin of Dancermusic.com, “Ballet 5:8 is an imaginative, hard-working group of artists with some very carefully thought out ideas.” Ballet 5:8’s passion for telling captivating stories - such as those from classic literature - using ballet, other artistic disciplines, and a 21st century perspective comes from the company’s mission: to engage audiences in conversation of life and faith through innovative storytelling and breathtaking dance.