Ballet in the Valley
Ballet Spokane is bringing new blood to the area arts scene with its production of “Dracula” this weekend.
On a 40-foot-by-40-foot rehearsal space at the Academy of Dance, tucked away behind 24 Hour Fitness on East Sprague in Spokane Valley, dancers prepare for the Saturday and Sunday productions at the Central Valley High School Performing Arts Center.
As the dancers practiced recently, costumer Marty Ray made mental notes on ways to make the garbs more authentic. No odious makeup or costumes are used. “Bram Stoker’s vampires were not hideous, but gorgeous and seductive,” Ballet Spokane founder Janet Wilder said.
Bram Stoker himself has a role in Wilder’s adaptation and is played by John Hart, a 6-foot-5 local actor. He enters often, creating his characters throughout the dance, Wilder said.
Wilder, artistic director of Ballet Spokane, is a leader in the field of dance. She is “taking a huge risk in these economic times,” said Mike Muzatko, president of Ballet Spokane. “She had the courage to fill the void of a professional dance company in Spokane.”
Fifteen years have passed since the Spokane Ballet was in operation. Wilder founded Ballet Spokane in August 2003, and already it is showing great promise in its second season.
Wilder wears many hats: dancer, choreographer, producer, director (of both Ballet Spokane and the Academy of Dance), teacher and writer. Her copy of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” has highlighted excerpts and no doubt has been read often.
“Dracula” is an extraordinary production. With a cast of 14 – eight company dancers and six guest artists – the lineup is exceptional.
The principal dancer, Kari Jensen, a native of California, has worked with both the San Francisco and Richmond ballet companies. The other dancers in the professional dance company have impressive resumes as well.
Muzatko, one of the guest artists, is an accredited actor and plays Dr. Van Helsing. Muzatko is also a teacher at Central Valley High School and the theater director and coordinator.
Michael Wiley, in the role of the main character, is a well-known area ballroom dancer. He has a remarkable resemblance to the “real” Dracula, at least in the way that he is often depicted.
Ballet Spokane has performed on many stages, including the Davenport Hotel and the Opera House. Last season The Met was its primary stage. This season, the Central Valley Performing Arts Center will be called home.
Bigger than The Met and with room for sets, the Central Valley facility is state of the art and seats 579. Besides the large stage, the theater has possibly the best acoustics in town as well as the most advanced lighting system and a full orchestra pit.
“It’s a $4.5 million facility, built by the school district from a $78 million bond issue,” said Muzatko.
Students at the school help with the shows. They gain occupational education credits by building sets. Some students are even paid as running crew for Ballet Spokane.
“It’s a wonderful way to expose them to the arts,” Muzatko said.