Mindy Heusel is joined by special guests Courtney Lyon, the Artistic Director of Ballet Quad Cities, and Jillian Van Cura, a professional dancer with BQC. The trio dives into a discussion about the upcoming performance of Love Stories, where they explore the different pieces that will be showcased.
The conversation kicks off with a focus on Aaron Copland's music for Billy the Kid, which Courtney describes as capturing the essence of the American landscape and serving as inspiration for her choreography. Jillian adds an interesting twist, discussing the challenge of dancing a traditionally male role in pointe shoes, requiring her to blend masculine and feminine styles seamlessly.
Courtney shares her excitement about restaging Billy the Kid with a new cast, highlighting the support of BQC's founder, Joedy Cook, in taking creative risks. Jillian speaks about her love for bringing something new and innovative to familiar roles through her unique dance style and interpretation.
The Love Stories performance will consist of four shorter pieces in Act 1, each exploring different facets of love. From a Gershwin solo that portrays love as a "valentine," to a Dvorak piece resembling a folk square dance with changing partners, the variety will keep audiences captivated. Additionally, a piece choreographed by guest artist Domingo Rubio will feature an accordion player entering through the audience, adding an element of surprise.
Courtney emphasizes how Billy the Kid perfectly aligns with the theme of love, as it conveys a deep appreciation for nature, country, and friendship within its western story. She goes on to explain how all the works in the performance explore different types of love, ranging from romance to community and more.
Jillian shares her personal experience portraying the character "Alias" in Billy the Kid, noting the challenges of portraying a character who symbolically dies throughout the piece. She also reflects on the ease with which she approached Dance 4 Piano, as it aligned with her familiar dance style.