GHS Girls To Perform in Ballet
Nicole Johnson does an Italian pas de chat across the stage with an empty house. Theaters are starting to open back up now so Johnson, and other dancers, will have a live audience again. “There is nothing quite like performing in front of a live audience,” explains Nicole. “The support from the audience elevates the excitement and energy of the dancers.” Jenna and Nicole can’t wait to perform for crowds again and hope that if you bought a ticket, you enjoy their production of Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Nicole Johnson ‘21 and Jenna Smith ‘23 are performing in the Academy of Ballet’s production of Midsummer Night’s Dream this spring. The ballet follows different storylines. In one, a warrior queen Hippolyta has been captured and forced to marry the duke, Theseus. Another storyline follows a quarreling married couple, Queen Titania and King Oberon. A third storyline follows a group of lovers, Hermia, Helena, Demetrius, and Lysander. Hermia and Lysander are in love but Demetrius is supposed to marry Hermia and Helena is in love with Demetrius. Finally, the mechanicals are a group of rambunctious men whose sole purpose is to dance around and be funny. Bottom, one of the men, is put under a spell by Puck, the main character, and becomes a donkey. The ballet follows the stories of all of the characters as they try to solve their problems using a little bit of fairy magic.
Johnson was cast as Titania, queen of the fairies, a main role. She rules over an elegant kingdom full of feminine creatures such as pixies, fireflies, and nymphs. Smith will be dancing the part of a nymph, a principle role that is a member of Titania’s kingdom. This will be Johnson’s last performance with the company before she graduates. “After more than 72 performances in the last twelve years, these final performances will be bittersweet knowing that this is the last time I will be performing with the DCYB,” says Nicole. “I am so grateful for the memories and close friendships I have formed over the years.”
Opening night for the girls is Friday, April 9th. They will also be performing Saturday night, April 10th, and Sunday afternoon, April 11th. “I’m so excited to perform again,” said Smith. “I love the feeling of being on stage can’t wait to re experience it alongside my friends and fellow dancers.” Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on the Grand Opera House’s website. Audience members can either go in person or can live stream the performance. Galena High School wishes these girls the best of luck as they bring their love of dance back to the stage.
