Firebird for today’s audiences

Sailers

Yes, Stravinsky’s orchestral score is virtually unchanged. But, the choreography, and in fact the whole Nashville Ballet Company production of Firebird, choreographed by Artistic Director Emeritus Paul Vasterling, playing on October 20th at Charleston’s Gaillard, has been reimagined. The original of this very famous classical work premiered in Paris in 1910.

In this 2023 interpretation, the ballet is immersed in pop and contemporary preoccupations including the main character’s search for personal identity, values  and struggle with positive and negative influencers. Also, stylistic trends (Mad Men, Barbies and Ken, poodle skirts) that relate to the 50s, 60s and 70s place the ballet in the context of references that are unmistakably familiar to today’s audiences.

More specifically, most past interpretations of Firebird included a male character (Prince Ivan) who encounters an evil sorcerer and his villainous assistants whom he must defeat in order to free a group of princesses who have been placed under a spell. The Firebird helps him achieve his ultimate goal  — getting together with the woman he loves. The story is drawn from Russian folklore infused with magic, and symbolism.

By contrast, in this down to earth reimagining created over the past few years, the hero encounters the Firebird who helps him navigate barriers and gain greater understanding of himself.

Nashville Ballet Company Dancer Imani Sailers is thrilled to be part of the production. As she describes her enthusiasm it’s clear that she appreciates both dancing in a ballet that has an iconic pedigree and wonderful score but is now presented in a way that purposefully connects with today. As Miss P she performs the role of the assistant/fixer to the character who represents evil and the drama inherent in this role appeals to Imani’s dramatic flair.

Imani has always been on a pretty much straight path to being a ballerina. She took her first dance class in South Chicago at the age of three. She pursued dance throughout High School and then earned a BA in Dance at Indiana University Bloomington in 2017. “The summer after I graduated  I went to 16 auditions. The job I got was the best “ she said.

What’s it like to be on stage? Imani said she throws herself into the character and the music. Then, also there’s power in the reactions she gets from fellow dancers and from the audience. It all comes together as Imani gives out her best performance, glad to be part of a company she wholeheartedly respects. “It’s pretty cool,” she said.

The program at the Gaillard also includes a performance of Justin Peck’s Year of the Rabbit.

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