Spring Demo: The Little Humpbacked Horse

Pics from my final Spring Demo performance, specifically the Frescoes from "The Little Humpbacked Horse".

"2320"

     “Saffron, it is 8:30am and time for you to wake up,” a calm, automated voice stated. Confusing, harsh music blasted out of the ceiling speakers following this announcement. Down below a bed hovered a few feet above the ground, buzzing from the slight vibrations it was producing. All that could be seen was a knot of electric blue hair, vibrant against the stark white pillows. A groan escaped the sheets as a bundled mass rolled over. This was immediately followed by a shriek as the bundle continued rolling off the edge of the bed, and fell the few feet to the floor, landing with a muffled thump. The sheets began untangling themselves from the inside out to reveal a slender figure under the blue hair, sporting an equally striking sports bra and shorts.

     “Bed stop,” Saffron mumbled, throwing the sheets onto the lowering bed, no longer vibrating. She trudged over to one of the two mirrored walls in the room, rubbing her eyes, and attempting to detangle the blue mess. Lightly double tapping the mirror, she swayed sleepily as it turned ninety degrees to reveal a massive bathroom. This tiled room matched the bedroom in it’s pristinely white condition. 

     “Shower on,” Saffron said, pulling off bits of clothing and throwing them into the laundry bin, just past the mini pool that was the bathtub. 

     Twenty minutes later the mirrored wall revolved again and Saffron emerged, hair perfectly straight in a chin length bob and makeup on. She crossed to the other mirrored wall, stopping to peer out a window at the placid city below. “What’s the weather like today?” she asked, appearing to address the empty room. On the wall opposite the bed a screen lit up and displayed the day’s hourly forecast. 

     “Today’s high is 84 degrees, and the low is 66,” read out the same computerized voice. 

     “Hmmm...” Saffron mused to herself as she passed through the automatic double doors on the second mirrored wall. Just beyond the entrance she was confronted with a choice: turn right for “WINTER” or left for “SUMMER”. Going left she meandered down a long hallway, past sleeveless and short-sleeve shirts, skirts, and shorts on one side, and rows upon rows of shoes on the opposite. Reaching the dress rack she perused a bit and then extracted a bright pink, tailored peplum dress. On her way back to the main intersection of the closet, she grabbed a pair of Carl Nelson flatform sandals. Once dressed she returned to the doorway and contemplated all the jewelry hanging from the surrounding walls. Picking an obnoxious, silver necklace, consisting of many intertwined chains with a jewel dotted here and there, she paired it with simple diamond studs of varying size, for her five piercings. Checking her appearance in the mirror with a haughty glance, she snatched her tote on the way out of the closet. 

     “What classes do I have today?” Saffron asked the emptiness once again.

     “You have European History, Moon Studies, and 18th Century Literature.”

     “Boring day,” Saffron muttered as she spritzed her favorite scent. “Get Felix, and if my brother asks, I’ll be home at 5,” she informed the disembodied voice, grabbing her iPhone, and exiting the room. 

     “Very well. Have a good day.” The voice faded away as another automated door closed.

     Walking through her bleached house, Saffron was nearly blinded as sunlight poured in though the tall windows and reflected off every immaculate wall. Her parents had an obsession with pure white, and every surface in the house was kept polished and spotless. Clomping down the stairs in her flatforms, she payed little attention to the calls of her mother cooking in the kitchen, or those of her dad, packing his briefcase in the study. Immersed in her iPhone, she was checking status updates. The front door opened for her and she walked a few feet along the driveway before reaching Felix, her car. The little vehicle resembled one of those vintage hatchback station wagons, but it had no apparent windows or mirrors, and not surprisingly, was white. 

     “Felix, go to school,” Saffron commanded, settling into the leather seats. The car’s engine hummed to life, the GPS coordinating itself. Sliding two panels out from behind the main one, she transformed her iPhone into an iPad, and pulled out a stylus to write. “Stop at Starbucks along the way, and play my ‘Favorites’,” she instructed. The car moved into gear and zipped off, Saffron in the back, scribbling on her pad.

     She was composing a quick essay on the simplicity yet complexity of modern life. Saffron paused for a moment, pensive in her contemplation of her life. She definitely enjoyed the advantages 2320 awarded her. She liked having so much free time as a result of all the computers and automated systems in her house. But really, when she thought about it, what did she achieve with all this extra time? She neither educated herself further by studying more subjects, nor expanded her mind artistically by expressing her imagination. Truthfully, she spent most of her time idly playing reality tv shows. Pretending to be someone else in more interesting situations, taking part in the holographic story. Saffron realized in that moment, how wasteful she was. She was acutely aware of the true emptiness of her technologically full life in that moment as her car maneuvered itself to the window of the drive-through Starbucks.

Summer 2011

Finally got around to putting together my scrapbook of summer memories in NYC and Moscow, Russia.

Packing was wayyy toooo difficult.

Only spent 3 weeks in NYC but it was awesome!

So gorgeous. The buildings, the art, everything.

Taking class at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy for 6 weeks.

First trip on the yacht on the Moscow River.

My host family, the Bondarovs.

Second adventure on the yacht on the Moscow River.

More from the second adventure on the yacht with my buddy Nickolay.

Tearing up at the airport.

"Rolling in the Deep" was our favorite song that summer. Taylor would song it into the fan do get her "vibrato" voice while we did backup.

"White Magick" by "Lover"

Found this gorgeous line of white gowns called "White Magick" by Australian brand "Lover". They are demure, elegant, ethereal, wistful, and drop-dead stunning!!! Perfect for vintage-inspired weddings.

Beautiful, elegant cut.

Beautiful when you want something a little shorter, and the lace detailing is superb.

Simpler but with a little sex in the sheer lace areas.

Flowy, light, slightly more casual but still fit for a godess.

Feeling a little more hippie-ish? This is perfect- it's flowy and so light looking.

Adoring this modern take on a wedding outfit! It's jumpsuit chic and the veil is a perfect match.

A little more covered for the more conservative bride but still stunning.

Loving the high neck and the sheer lace on bottom.

Such intricate lace and so fun!

Absolutely adore this dress! My favorite!!! It's got a gorgeous collar with sheer lace on top and a beautiful high-low skirt, which is perfect because I always want to show off my shoes!

So evening yet summery chic.

A fabulously short and sweet version of the full length dress.

Graduation Outfits

     Since it is my senior year of high school, graduation is advancing. Though I do have some time as my graduation is one of the latest on June 18th at 7:30, again, the latest of the late. I have of course been browsing for graduation outfits! Now I'm fully aware that an ugly, long-ass robe will be obscuring any fantastic look I may put together, but that is no excuse to go casual. It's the same concept when wearing a long coat- that doesn't excuse bad fashion underneath. The key is to make your accessories and shoes go with your cute outfit and your drab gown, creating a stellar look all around! 

     Now although those robes are long, they are not guaranteed to be the exact length as that high-low you're considering. I am a fan of these trendy and goddess-like dresses, but I do not advise wearing one under grad robes. Most likely, the robe won't match in length, and a couple inches of the low side will hang out like an awkward tail. Not cute. 

     Another big mistake, going to the extreme. Graduations are when you pull out those nifty dresses that are more special than a school day, yet not formal enough for an evening performance. Do not fall into the pitfall of choosing an extreme! It is summertime, so aim for a minutely embellished cocktail dress or an elegantly lacy one. A few jewels or some lace are the perfect balance. That, or a simple cut with slightly more extravagant jewelry.

     Let's talk cutouts. Cutouts are wonderfully versatile, they can be cute, sexy, revealing, just enough, or wayyyy too much. In the case of graduation I think appropriately placed cutouts are an excellent idea. It's summer! Why not show a patch of skin- plus it'll keep you from overheating and sweating tons. The tricky part is knowing which cutouts are deemed acceptable. Hint: the ones that reveal the unloving midsection. Yes, cutouts that expose parts of your waist are the least sexy and most cute. I particularly like the ones on the sides, revealing that happy pudge of skin resting above one's hips. 

     Midsection also applies to the back. Personally, I find the back one of the most gorgeous parts of the body, perhaps it's the dancer in me. A back is usually a thin layer of skin over bones and muscles, if you have any. Rarely is it a trouble area for rolls and stretch marks, making it one of my proudest areas to display. Backless meets the requirements for cute cutouts and pumps up the casual without going overboard.

     Shoes. Shoes are vital in your graduation outfit! They are one of the few items in your look that will be noticed amongst the folds of gown so do not choose lightly. Returning to the important balance of graduation outfits, those sparkly pumps, not really right for this event. Unless worn extremely well, by a top stylist, they will look too much for this outfit. The nuisance of walking, sitting, standing, sitting, standing, walking will cause many to gravitate towards flats, and although I still vote for heels, if you're going flat, to simple and classic. None of those flats with bows or sparkles or ruffles. Go with sleek, classic, elegant. Like a simple point-toe nude or even a cap-toe nude. Going for the heels? Me too. I'm going big and obnoxious heel person, but that's just my style. Anything wedgy or peep-toey is a great idea. Pointed-toes are still in too, so I'd consider them as well, perhaps even in the new rage- white. 

Lace Insert Shift Dress from Topshop - cute and the perfect balance of casual and formal, comes in ivory as well.

Plain Piqué Cutout Sundress from Topshop - it's got those wonderful side cutouts.

Pins and Needles Sweetheart Lace Dress from Urban Outfitters - it is sweet and lacy for sure, add some bulky jewelry and you'll have a great look.

Pins and Needles Embroidered Mesh Crepe Dress from Urban Outfitters - this one borders being too dressy so go with simple jewelry and I recommend only for evening graduations.

Love Story Lace Dress from NastyGal - loving these fabulous colors and the simple cut!

Flower Patch Dress from NastyGal - for the more adventurous and fun, I say go for it! It's got cutouts.

Hot Spell Peplum Dress from NastyGal - so on trend with the peplum, and the cutouts, and the color!

Graced Spring Dress from Anthropologie - so perfect with the light sprinkling of jewels.

Luisa Poppy Dress from Anthropologie - absolutely yes! But with simple accessories.

Senior Yearbook

Our yearbooks came out today- "The Hornet Effect"

"Props"

Inspired by my latest supering experience. There are those who don't understand the magic of supering so I thought I would explain.
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     It is like being the water boy for a famous sports team. It is like being the gardener of the White House. The role of supernumerary is that of an insignificant stage prop in relation to the whole performance, yet it is by no means trivial. 

     There are many that question why I devote my time to these pitiful roles, why I change my schedule entirely so that I may sit onstage in a production. They obviously do not understand the attraction of being a supernumerary. The appeal lies in the backstage element. The rehearsals where you are in the same room as the most advanced dancers in the world. As I watch them repeat movements endlessly, I feel the splendor of their abilities encompassing me. For all aspiring dancers the hope is that somehow, through osmosis or absorption, we will soak in the knowledge of the greats as we perform our roles as minor supernumeraries. 

     Anybody can watch Natalia Osipova do a triple pirroutte in attitude. Anybody can marvel at Ivan Vasiliev’s cloud-scraping entroloces. But not everybody can see the process, witness the dancers’ mistakes. This is the secret of being a supernumerary. Those moments when you see the performers struggle with a step, study how they work tirelessly to perfect it, and are amazed by the stunning final product. Props to those flawless artists. I feel as though I should be able to effortlessly accomplish the exact step the dancer has just perfected because I too was watching the process, invested in their improvement.

     Seeing the dancers backstage provides a realistic element to their superhuman capabilities. They may stutter on steps and slip up backstage, but when they perform that night, there are no such errors. Such bountiful inspiration can be derived from this! The hope that when you yourself perform you will painlessly omit all your mistakes just as these professionals do. I prefer to be a supernumerary, decorating the stage, but enjoying the magnificence of ballet behind the scenes where it is created, instead of admiring from afar the finished product.

Supering for ABT's Le Corsaire

Supering is one of the amazing joys of being immersed in ballet. About a month ago American Ballet Theatre came to the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and hired some of us young girls to be slaves in their new rendition of Le Corsaire.

With Ivan Vasiliev!!!

With Daniil Simkin!!!

With Sterling Baca!!!

One of the many Medora Act 1 tutus, for Paloma Herrera

Our dressing room was on the same floor as all the principals!

Our slave costumes 

Backstage side view of the pirate ship

Hall of Nations

Opera House Stage Door

Kennedy Center terrace views