Pirouettes and Prokofiev

Pointe shoes, not glass slippers, make dreams come true while the BYU Philharmonic enchants in a dress rehearsal for Prokofiev’s Cinderella, performed to celebrate Theatre Ballet’s 40th anniversary. Assistant professor and choreographer Shani M. Robison’s (BA ’95) dream of the orchestra and ballet performing together came true only after receiving $30,000 in grants, coordinating four departments in the College of Fine Arts and Communications, choreographing 30 dancers, and practicing with 98 orchestra members, conducted by Professor Kory Katseanes. The Valentine’s Day weekend event sold out almost immediately—a first in Theatre Ballet’s history. The performance marked the first time in 30 years that the orchestra and ballet have performed a full-length ballet together, but it won’t be the last. Faculty members hope to repeat the experience every four years, and Robison says Sleeping Beauty will be next. | Photography: Molly E. Hunter (’11)