Article by Darcy Ramirez
SAN ANTONIO — Ballet San Antonio is wrapping up their 2023-2024 season with the World Premiere of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
San Antonio’s professional ballet company is transforming William Shakespeare’s comedic play into a performance that fits everyone including the company’s dancers, the students at the ballet school, and the score.
The story revolves around two lovers, Hermia and Lisandro – whose love is called into question by their friends and families. The show is playful, chaotic and full of hilarious moments that mostly take place in a magical forest.
Approximately 30 students from the school will be in the production – the biggest production they’ve ever produced, according to Artistic Director Sofiane Sylve.
“It takes a village to put on a production like that,” Sylve said on the company’s Facebook page.
The show's choreographer Rafael Ferreras set on to create a more narrative dance rather than a traditional one and his creative decision resonated with many of the dancers.
“There are moments where he (Rafael) really draws on the people playing the roles and not just the roles themselves to create sort of interpersonal interactions I think, and those very like human moments are some of the best parts,” Andrea Huymh, a dancer who portrays an Air Amazon said.
Despite the funny atmosphere surrounding the show the techniques and high energy required for "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" can be both challenging and rewarding.
