For Ron Cunningham's new ballet after the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, I play his character of Jordan. Jordan Baker is a professional golfer, with a stubborn attitude and a strong self-centered mentality. She cheated in order to win her first golf tournament. This is where I've started…with my character development…adding a cynical and arrogant, but cute air to her actions, knowing she can bend people her way because of her beauty.
I've created a variety of ballets with Ron. The process has always been relaxing, chill, and fun. Though they've never involved a golf club! Part of the cast began rehearsing and creating movement with Ron at the end of last season and intermittently throughout the recent months. Now we are able to focus on the creation process. Presently Oli and I are continuing work on the dance for Jordan and Nick. First off, the weight of the club adds a whole new factor to every movement and most noticeably to partnered steps. All three of us fiddled around turning with the club - on our shoulders and in our hands, then partnered spins together with the club set around our lower backs. The extra weight would either spin me on a crash course taking Ron or Oli out, or in-fact help and square-off my technical position and aid in balancing. Having a golf club for the whole pas de deux is as similar as adding another appendage to your body that you have to be aware of and control. Coordination, appropriateness, and presentation with such an awkward prop makes for new interesting choreography, some new types of "war wounds", but also some fun times! Stay tuned for more Gatsby blogs and make sure to book your calendars February 7th, 8th, 9th, or 10th to see the final outcome of Jordan and Nick's dance! ~Isha
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