Cover Ballet Philippines returns to the CCP main stage this September (Photo: Ballet Philippines)
Ballet Philippines returns to the CCP main stage this September (Photo: Ballet Philippines)
1 / 1
In this write-up, Ballet Philippines' Kathleen Liechetenstein and Misha Martynyuk give us backstage insights before the company’s much-anticipated return to the grand stage of the Cultural Centre of the Philippines
“The digital platform was crucial in allowing the company to train even from within the confines of home,” Ballet Philippines president and chief executive officer Kathleen Lior Liechtenstein says as she looks back at the dance company’s situation at the height of the pandemic. Two years since its initial hit, the traces of COVID-19’s wrath can still be seen in performing arts industries across the globe, but creative sectors like Ballet Philippines refused to cave in and now it reaps the benefits of its hard work and commitment.
“The first thing we did months following lockdowns in March 2020 was to work towards our digital migration. We’ve always had a Ballet Philippines website, but we decided that for us to be able to bring the experience to audiences online, we had to create a complete ballet lifestyle platform,” says Liechtenstein.
In case you missed it: Ballet Philippines' Guest Artist Program Gathers the Country's Ballet Community for a Purpose
This year, for its 53rd season, the troop returns to stage with 'Dance Here and Now—Equus, Bolero, and Other Dances
Above Ballet Philippines president and chief executive officer Kathleen Lior Liechtenstein
Ballet Philippines president and chief executive officer Kathleen Lior Liechtenstein
1 / 1
The mixed bill performance is a culmination of the company’s unwavering dedication, discipline, and commitment to keep dance alive–amidst two years of the pandemic. It was a synchronised team effort that established stronger bonds between Ballet Philippines’ board of trustees. As a result, the company’s dancers and guest artists have managed to stay in performance-ready form through advanced strength training, mental wellness therapy, and an expert-led body conditioning regimen. It is a testament to the company’s commitment to nurturing its artists holistically.
"Ballet Philippines has also been very committed to giving our dancers holistic care. Apart from premium life insurance coverage, we also invest in providing the team with support where mental health, overall wellness, and self-care are concerned. We’ve partnered with health providers, experts, and professionals to ensure that all our dancers are strong–not just physically but mentally and spiritually as well," Liechtenstein discloses.
Related: A Ballerina's Journey: Jemima Reyes on Why It's Not for the Faint of Heart
Above (Photo: Ballet Philippines)
(Photo: Ballet Philippines)
1 / 1
This season, Ballet Philippines seeks to present fresh pieces that showcase the dancers' technical prowess and strength. "We are all about innovating and stepping out again with eyes fixed on the future. We are dancing with the times–and dance where no one else has."
"As we started the 53rd Season, we toyed with the concept of dance as something that represents how we move through our lives. We dance with the time. We dance here and now. We dance where no one else has. For every performance we will mount for the 53rd, we endeavour to dance through the entire spectrum of emotions–joy and sorrow, despair and hope, defeat and triumph, elation and sadness," she concludes.
EQUUS, BOLERO AND OTHER DANCES will show at the Cultural Center of the Philippines from September 17 (Gala Night at 8 PM) to 18 (2 PM and 7 PM). For tickets and subscriptions, visit www.ballet.ph.
NOW READ
Dance Film 'Bari-bari' Tackles Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration Through Dancing
Top of the Heap: Gyms and Dance Studios that Suit Your Fitness Regimen
'Backstage Pass: Life Behind the Curtain': Joseph Mangat's New Documentary Film Premieres at CCP
Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
