All posts tagged: Adam Crawford Chavis

{In The Gray} By Zalman Raffael

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The premiere of Zalman “Zali” Raffael’s {In The Gray} concluded the mixed-bill {Cinderella} program, and, most importantly, the end of Carolina Ballet’s 17th season – my sixth season with the company. I savored every moment from the first rehearsal to the final performance with such gratitude and attention. I knew it was the end of my chapter with Carolina Ballet and I wanted each second to be remembered with equal importance. (Don’t worry – there will be a post with further details!) Due to unforeseen circumstances, Zali created a new ballet for the final program of the season and thus was the birth of {In The Gray}. {In The Gray} was an unforgettable artistic experience. I was able to ‘speak’ the inner-dialogue of a story through the choreography of a dear friend, Zali – CB’s Resident Choreographer. I was able to share the role with a wonderful partner and friend, Adam Chavis, with whom I danced with years ago as a student at the School of American Ballet. I was able to dance alongside the Carolina Ballet dancers, …

{Romeo + Juliet} By Robert Weiss

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From forth the fatal loins of these two foes  A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life, Whose misadventured piteous overthrows  Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife. (Prologue.5–8), Chorus The fate of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers is so tragic. Every time we see the play, attend a live performance or watch a movie adaptation of {Romeo & Juliet}, we are struck by the pure innocence of love and the utter tribulation of death. We want so badly for Romeo to get the note explaining Juliet’s potion and for Juliet to wake up from her deathbed in time to see Romeo, but it never happens and we are left wondering, “what if.” As somber as it may sound, my favorite scene to watch in the ballet is that which closes the ballet and play, in the graveyard. Robert “Ricky” Weiss, the choreographer, has made a tear-jerking moment that tugs every heart sting. As Juliet is waking up from her poison’s effects, she discovers Romeo is dead at her side. She is helpless and lets out a scream which only we …

{Rhapsody in Blue} By Zalman Raffael

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I originally wrote this post a year ago when I, along with other dancers, had concluded Zalman “Zali” Raffael’s Choreographic Workshop, a Carolina Ballet corps member who lead and fundraised the project. For some reason or other I never posted it, but luckily WordPress saved it. It’s a great sense of accomplishment having danced Zali’s “Rhapsody in Blue” on the big stage, where a year ago, the dancers or even Zali couldn’t have imagined it happening. It goes to show anything can happen. My view in January 2012: The two-week workshop working with my dear friend, choreographer, and fellow company member Zali was phenomenal. The twelve other dancer, Zali, and I grew together as we experienced his creative mind at work to Gershwin’s playful “Rhapsody” music.  The workshop made me realize aspects of my dancing that I needed to be reminded of. In a long story short, at the beginning of the second week of rehearsals I injured my elbow and the injury to repair it became a blessing in disguise.  It forced me to be …