By Cristina Graziano
Let's take a little trip down memory road shall we?
I first met Robert Desrosiers when I was 21 years old. It was my first season with the company and we were doing a mixed repertoire show in Halifax that year. One of the pieces for the bill was 'Rendezvous', a piece Robert choreographed a few seasons before my arrival. This, of course, was not the first time I had heard the iconic name Robert Desrosiers. I, like any other ballet-obsessed dancer, immediately saw 'The Company' when it first came out. Robert was featured as one of the choreographers, and his piece 'Blue Snake' was a memorable part of the film. So you can imagine how excited I was being in the same room with him! He came in the first time to see his piece put back together with a few new dancers. I actually still remember my first rehearsal with him. I was so nervous; all I could focus on was trying not to screw up his extremely difficult choreography! I didn't want him to be disappointed that I was in his piece. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Robert is probably one of the most down-to-earth choreographers I have ever worked with. I was lucky enough to be cast in both a pas de deux and trio in his piece. Right from the beginning, he was completely open to altering things in order to suit my style and aesthetic. He was so generous and kind to me that first season, and the nerves just melted away. I kept in touch with him after that. He became a good friend to me.
A couple of years ago Peggy Baker was doing a show in memoriam of her husband entitled 'The Neat Strange, Music of Ahmed Hassan'. She asked Robert if he would like to submit a piece because her husband actually created some music for him years beforehand. He called me and asked me if I would like to recreate his 'balloon head' solo from 'Blue Snake', which was performed by Neve Campbell in the film. Talk about full circle! This was the first piece I had ever seen of his and it was what drew me to his work. Now, I was not only going learn it, but change it to fit my personal dance style.
Robert and I have always kept in touch, and now we are working together on his new commissioned work for our Mixed Rep show in October. It's even better this time around because I get to be part of the creation process from the very beginning. I don't think I've ever been more excited for a premiere. Even though this piece is brand new, it holds so much history for me. Robert was the first choreographer I worked with when I arrived here 6 seasons ago. If there is ever a show to see, this is it. Robert will always present you with a work that is intricate, technical, humorous, emotional, energetic, fast-paced, and mesmerizing. See you there.
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Robert Desrosiers' new work Bouffonia will have its premiere at
Formation: an evening of contemporary ballet
October 4 & 5 - 8pm
Betty Oliphant Theatre
Call 416.978.8849 or click here for tickets.
Photo courtesy of Cristina Graziano
