Belle of the Ball: Meet Damara Cedillo, our lovely Cinderella!

Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo & Juliet, La Sylphide, Firebird, and of course, Cinderella... What do all these ballets have in common? All of the titles are also the name (or contain the name) of the lead ballerina and character in each production. You might imagine this kind of featured role comes with some pressure and stress-- but you'd never know it by watching our very own Damara Cedillo rehearse for the lead in Ballet Ariel's new full length ballet Cinderella.

Damara Cedillo in a studio shot as Cinderella (photo by Peter Strand) 

 A veteran member of Ballet Ariel, Damara is featured in the title role of Cinderella opening March 23-24th in Parker. This production is a world premiere, meaning Ilena Norton (Ballet Ariel's Artistic Director and choreographer of this ballet) has created all new choreography for this full-length fairy tale. This also means that Damara's role has been created on her with her skills and talents in mind. This is crystal clear to all who have been watching her float through Cinderella's challenging choreography as if she was born with pointe shoes on her feet. Damara is widely known in the company and in our audiences for her strong technique and strength and ability to breeze through difficult choreography. This role is no different. Her loveliness as a dancer shines brightly in the character of Cinderella as she deals with such unlovely characters as her wicked Stepmother and Stepsisters.

Damara trained at Idyllwild Arts Academy and at the summer programs of Boston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. Before joining Ballet Ariel here in Denver, she danced with Media City Ballet and Colorado Ballet. In her four seasons with Ballet Ariel she has performed many lead roles, including Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in The Nutcracker and the pas de deux from Les Sylphedes.

Damara Cedillo in a studio shot as Cinderella (photo by Peter Strand)

We caught up with Damara recently to ask her a few questions about her experience playing the title role in Cinderella, and learned a few new things about her as well! Enjoy getting to know our belle of the ball, Damara Cedillo:

How long have you been dancing?

"I started dancing at the young age of 7 at Rozann-Zimmerman Ballet Center. After already playing the violin for a few years my parents decided they wanted to give me a more "active" activity. Little did they know the little dancing queen they were about to create!"

What is your favorite part about playing the role of Cinderella?

"There are so many things it is hard to pick a favorite! I would say my favorite part of the ballet is the romantic pas de deux with the Prince in Act 2. The music composed by Prokofiev is SO moving. And the choreography by Ilena Norton really shows how the couple is getting swept away with each other."

What has surprised you about playing the title role?

"The character of Cinderella has so many layers! To be tormented by her horrible Stepmother and Stepsisters, but to still be bright and happy and chipper. And then to go from that to all of the excitement at the ball and meeting the Handsome Prince for the very first time. It is definitely no easy task to portray all of these different emotions in one ballet."

Damara Cedillo

Who inspires you as an artist?

"I'd say that the person that inspires me most as "an artist" would be my mother. She worked and worked to become the successful violinist she is today. Earning scholarships to put herself through college and starting to learn her art later than most. And where most parents would probably discourage pursuing a life in the arts, there has never been anyone in my life so supportive as her."

What is your favorite activity to do outside of dance?

"Quite simply... good food and good coffee with good company."

Come see Damara be swept away to her happily ever after in the title role of Cinderella THIS weekend! March 23-24th (Friday at 7:30 pm, and Saturday at 2pm and 7:30 pm) at the beautiful new PACE Center in Parker. 

For all the information you need on seeing the show, click on over to our Facebook invite: https://www.facebook.com/events/388611027832728/

If you want to go directly to the PACE Center website to buy tickets (they are going fast, so we recommend getting your seats beforehand!) click here: http://www.parkeronline.org/index.aspx?nid=989

See you at the ball! 

Backstage at our Springfest Fundraiser!

Ryan Rose and Jessica Clayton backstage before performing "Communication Breakdown"

We had a great turnout for our Springfest Fundraiser on Friday! The intimate setting of the Brooks Center for Spirituality was a perfect venue for this delightful show. Guests were served an Italian meal complete with manicotti and tiramisu, and were entertained by a myriad of different performing arts. The audience experienced a live wind quartet (the Gossamer Winds), opera (sung live by Ballet Ariel company dancer Peter Strand, who is also a classically trained vocalist), and musical theatre (the duet "Stepsister's Lament" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical Cinderella, performed by Ballet Ariel's very own Stepsisters Gina Eslinger and Peter Strand).  

 The Stepsisters backstage (Gina Eslinger and Peter Strand)

Of course, we couldn't round out the evening without dance-- Gregory Gonzales presented an excerpt from his beautiful contemporary ballet "The Messenger Within." Jessica Clayton and Ryan Rose played a very convincing and funny 1950's couple in the comedy dance piece "Communication Breakdown" (choreographed by Gina Eslinger). The company ended the evening with a sneak peek of our full length Cinderella (opening this Friday at 7:30 pm), with scenes showcasing Cinderella (Damara Cedillo), her Stepsisters and Stepmother (Doina Florea), and the Dance Master (Ryan Rose). The audience loved the show and many were seen leaving with big smiles on their faces.

Damara Cedillo as Cinderella

Thanks to all the volunteers and dancers who made this fundraiser possible, and for all that came out to support Ballet Ariel! The company opens "Cinderella" at the PACE Center in Parker this Friday (shows Friday, March 23rd, at 7:30 pm; and Saturday, March 24th, at 2pm and 7:30 pm)! Don't miss Ballet Ariel's very entertaining and beautiful version of the beloved fairy tale! 
Tickets are available online here: http://www.parkeronline.org/index.aspx?nid=989


Check out our company facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/balletarieldenver
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/BalletAriel

Meet the Jester and the Prince's Right Hand Man: Ryan Seate!

 Who doesn't love to laugh? Meet the guy to make it happen-- Ryan Seate, a seasoned company member at Ballet Ariel, who is dancing the soloist role of the Jester in our full length production of Cinderella (for show information click here: http://balletariel.org/2012_Cinderella.html).

Ryan Seate in rehearsal as the Jester

 Ryan is a Colorado native and grew up playing sports through high school (baseball and football). It's not surprising to learn that he is an athlete when watching him in action as the Jester. He is full of energy, strong, and a bold mover. He fearlessly attacks (and successfully completes) difficult steps such as double tours, multiple turns, and the intricate footwork choreographed on him by Peter Strand for the role of the playful Jester. In the famous Ballroom scene of Cinderella, you'll see him playfully pulling the guests into his fun while also acting as the Prince's right hand man.

Ryan Seate in rehearsal as the Jester 

It's hard to believe Ryan has only been dancing five years when observing his natural talent and ability. His dance training began in college and continued with International Youth Ballet in Littleton and the Performing Arts Conservatory of Texas. He has been dancing professionally with Ballet Ariel for three years, as well as dancing soloist roles with Boulder Ballet. Ryan has been a guest artist around the country and danced leading roles in ballets such as Peter and the Wolf ("Peter"),  Le Corsaire, Les Sylphides, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Nutcracker ("Cavalier"), Peter Pan, Napoli, Beauty and the Beast, and Les Patineurs.

We recently caught up with Ryan and learned a bit more about him and his experience dancing the role of the Jester:

What is your favorite part about playing the role of the Jester in Cinderella?

"I love to express myself while I'm dancing the role. My character is a silly, high energy clown who wants to get a fun party started for the ballroom scenes... I personally am a silly energetic clown myself. Credit goes to my choreographer Peter Strand (editors note: Peter Strand is a contributing choreographer for certain scenes in Cinderella) who brought out my true character."

What has surprised you during this season with Ballet Ariel?

"My biggest surprise this year is I surprised myself. Due to recovering from a serious injury I thought I had lost some of my artistic personality when dancing a very demanding role... But I feel strong and confident again."

Ryan Seate

Who inspires you as an artist?

"Most of the inspiration I've carried in my career has come from working with very talented professional teachers, directors, choreographers and dancers who I still learn from everyday. Some names in particular are Rudolf Nureyev and Mr H. Christopher Fairbank. I try to learn from them as much as I can to help me expand my career."

What are some hobbies you enjoy?

"Some activities I like to do outside of dance are painting miniatures, drawing, video making, traveling and enjoying company with great friends."

Come see Ryan as the silly and confident Jester in Ballet Ariel's full length Cinderella  March 23-24th at the PACE Center in Parker! For more information check out the company Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/balletarieldenver

Or, go straight to the PACE Center website and buy tickets there directly: http://www.parkeronline.org/index.aspx?nid=989