Last week, I had two entirely unique experiences in the arts scene of Thurston County. On Saturday, I had the opportunity to watch a rehearsal for Studio West Dance Theatre’s production of the ballet “Giselle,” coming to the Washington Center on May 1-3.
Watching the Studio West rehearsal, I was awestruck by the talent, dedication, and revere these performers have for this story. The only time I have seen “Giselle” was in Seattle, and I don’t take it lightly when I say that Studio West’s production is of Seattle quality.
Alongside that, I attended a monthly poetry reading of the Olympia Poetry Network held at Soul Café and New Traditions — I even read a piece of my own. Sitting in the café and listening to and chatting with fellow poets was a visceral experience.
Together, the ballet rehearsal and poetry reading reminded me that there are languages among artists that are universal and deeply important to our lives and sustaining the beauty that lives in our hearts.
The story of “Giselle” requires a huge range of deep emotions that must appear genuine, and Studio West approaches these demands perfectly. Director Stephanie Wood and her co-coach for this production, Marianna Ramsour, pay attention to every detail in their dancers’ facial expressions, body movements, timing, and the direction of the eyes’ gaze to finesse this communication and leave the audience speechless.
I admired watching the coaches work together because they seemed to read each other’s minds and treated the dancers with respect. It is no wonder that these two are best friends! Wood and Ramsour have known and danced with each other for years.
Another connection existing in the production of this show is the casting of Studio West alumni and now professional dancer, Cole McMason, for the part of Hilarion.
Ballet is it’s own language, and it is the job of ballet dancers to both translate and emote it to the audience. I was amazed by how the selectivity of eye contact, the puffing of the chest, or a simple direction for the elbow communicated so much about the tone of that moment in the story.
In ballet, a closed smile is a smirk and an open-mouthed smile that shows teeth displays happiness. Some motions can even translate to specific words and ideas: two hands across the chest signifies “death,” and two hands that lay on top of the heart signifies “love” (add in a tilt of the head toward the hands and a blush in the facial expression for deeper emphasis).
The body language of ballet dancers and other artists I think can teach us something about the ways we unconsciously communicate with others. Studio West reminded me that body language is a gorgeous language, but with the rise in technology is a dying art.
We must continue to spend time with people in person, go to performances, and do everything we can to keep this language alive — attending “Giselle” is a great opportunity to do this, support the community, and enjoy something gorgeous and romantic.
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Existing as a stranger to this group, I was surprised by how easy it felt to dive in, enjoy deep conversations, and immerse myself in this experience. My breath was taken away by the readers who memorized their poems and who let the words flow out of them organically.
Poetry can be shared and read in multiple languages, but there is a universal language they all share: vulnerability. This vulnerability is what makes the air buzz during a poetry reading and is why poetry is vital to the human heart. Poetry gives meaning to the ordinary (making it extraordinary) and creates space to express the deepest things that are pressing on our consciousness. To borrow something said by a local poet:
“When a descendant one day wants to learn more about me, I want to offer them something more than DNA. Through my journals of poetry, they get to see who I really was.”
The Olympia Poetry Network is filled with people in our community who we may not fully “see” unless we hear their poetry. Some of us are hilarious, others are heart broken, but I think there is something raw, deep, and sometimes sensual that exists in each of us that can only be adequately expressed in poetry.
Olympia Poetry Network readings and Open Mics happen monthly. Visit their website and social media pages for more details.
Rachel Benton is a columnist, freelance writer, performing arts enthusiast and a Thurston County local. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and Political Science and minor in Music. When not writing or enjoying the arts, Rachel can be found spending time with her family, friends and two golden retriever puppies (Elliot and Ernie).
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