by Robert Curran, Louisville Ballet Artistic Director

Next week, starting on Monday, the dancers return to our Main Street studios. This is always an exciting time for the Company. Our seasons usually end in early April and the dancers depart for a much-needed break. While our building still typically hums along during the summer months – with students in summer programs, our Kentucky Shakespeare Festival production rehearsals, with administrative staff putting the pieces in place for the next season – the return of our dancers in August always makes the building sing.

Of course, this isn’t a typical return. Our break last season was sudden and has been longer. And our dancers, just like many of you, have been living less than normal lives. Their ability to physically train has been disrupted, and their distance from the studio, and from each other, has been challenging. To be disconnected from the art they have spent most of their lives moving within is one of the biggest challenges a dancer can face.

But we are returning – with safety plans and protocols in place, created with the guidance of our health and safety team and input from our dancers. It won’t be the same, but it will be wonderful in its own way. We are moving forward, with a close eye, always, on the health and safety of the entire Louisville Ballet team a priority.

We will take a deep breath, with our masks on, place our hands on the barre, and move into that first step, together.

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