When an audience sees
ballet dancers, they see a gossamer parade of young bodies on show. Nymph-like
and lithe, ballet dancers have personified the epitome of ethereality for
centuries. However, no one ever has the nerve to peer behind the velvet curtain
to see the true grit of a ballerina’s life.
From a young age, the female ballet dancer trains
relentlessly, in the hopes of one day rising to fame, of becoming a star.
Unfortunately, for most young dancers, the possibility of that dream becoming a
reality is slim. It is more likely that she will spend most of her career in
the corps de ballet; the ensemble group dancing in unison around the featured
soloists.
The dynamic of the dancers who make up the corps de ballet is
unique only to them. Despite sharing a bond closer than blood; they are
painfully aware of how short their careers are. Every girl in the corps de
ballet prays to be noticed, to be promoted, and to achieve her dream.
Adrienne, is one of the many swirling bodies in the backline
of the corps. Adrienne is a young dancer with the Grinkov Ballet, talented,
but often ignored by the company’s merciless director. She finds a pair of
scarlet stockings, after which she is suddenly catapulted to fame and stardom.
She finds a pair of scarlet stockings, after which she is suddenly catapulted
to fame and stardom.
Unaware and dismissive of the heavy price attached to the
stockings; Adrienne's manic obsession with keeping the power she believes they
possess to herself escalates, and she begins to lose touch with reality.
The Scarlet Stockings features set, lighting, and sound design
by some of Benilde’s best young talents; as well as the scholars Ballet
Philippines Dance School (both past and present).
With original choreography by Cheska Reyes (formerly a scholar
of Ballet Philippines) The Scarlet Stockings, Benilde’s first fully balletic
dance thesis production in nearly a decade, intends to take audiences on a
journey, and show them physical and emotional struggles of what is arguably the
country’s most difficult and underappreciated career. What is the price of
attaining a goal? Where does one draw the line between ambition and obsession?
For ticket information, visit fb.com/TheScarletStockings or contact 0906-4680226.
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