In-between their back-to-back shows performing in The Ryman Healthcare Season of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) dancers Ana Gallardo Lobaina, Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson, and Georgia Baxter made a very special appearance at Ngaio Marsh village to share with residents what they love about dancing in the company. 

The three special guests were excited to be at Ngaio Marsh, even if it meant squeezing in the visit in between performances of their touring show which saw them performing at Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch. Each of the dancers shared how they got into ballet and who inspired them in their journey. With Ana and Georgia being from Cuba and Australia, respectively, their exciting journeys to the New Zealand company engaged the residents.

Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) dancers Ana Gallardo Lobaina, Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson, and Georgia Baxter.

Next up they took some questions from residents who had a variety of thought-provoking questions. They got some exercise inspiration as they asked about the dancers’ fitness routines, picked up a couple of dance moves as they learnt all about choreography, and even heard about what injuries were the most common amongst those in the company.

One resident was interested in hearing about how the performers prepare to dance in their costumes prior to a performance. Ana shared a funny anecdote about learning to dance in her costume for Cinderella, where she played the titular role.

“I started off the performance in almost a ball gown, as it had so many layers, and throughout the show with every hour leading up to midnight I lost another layer and ended the act in what was essentially a figure skating outfit. As we practised it so many times it looked amazing on stage, but it was quite a challenging experience to learn to dance in it, especially the pirouettes,” Ana laughs.

Luckily for Ana The RNZB is currently on tour with The Ryman Healthcare Season of A  Midsummer Night’s Dream, which features costumes with a couple less layers of skirts.

Ana shows her pointe shoes to residents.

After the Q&A residents took part in a challenging quiz on all things ballet. This saw Joshua and Georgia demonstrate some of the basic ballet positions, where their talent had a chance to shine.

Residents were asked whether it’s true or false that the box of a ballet pointe shoe contains wood? To help the residents Ana passed out a couple of pointe shoes she had on hand, so they could have a feel before making their guesses. Many residents were surprised to learn that the shoe box is formed of not wood, but layers of fabric, cardboard, and paper!

To finish the quiz off they were asked, “Who is New Zealand’s most successful ballerina?” Many residents were quick to shout out Rowena Jackson which was the winning answer. Rowena was both a talented ballerina and subsequently a Ryman village namesake. In 1959 upon retiring Jackson became artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

Village residents also had the opportunity to check out a couple of costumes from past RNZB productions. There was a dazzling pink dress that was used as Princess Aurora’s Act 1 costume in the 2020 production of The Sleeping Beauty. Also on display was the colourful coat worn by The Charlatan in the 1993 and 2011 production of Petrouchka. Residents were wowed by the artistry and hard work that went into each of the costumes.

Ana, Joshua, and Georgia concluded their visit with a gift for the village. They presented a beautifully decorated blue ballet pointe shoe to be used to adorn the village’s Christmas tree. The residents were wowed by the very special ornament. The pointe shoe is bedazzled in a variety of gems and features some delicate lace trim and a gorgeous butterfly centre piece.

As the three dancers departed to get ready for the next performance residents waved them off with messages of good luck and well wishes. The New Zealand wide tour began in Wellington in October and will be finishing up in Auckland in December, giving ballet fans from all over the country to see these dazzling stars take to the stage.

This year Ryman celebrated ten years as principal partner with the Royal New Zealand Ballet. For those 10 years, Ryman residents and team members have enjoyed seeing these masters of the stage perform, on the stage and in Ryman villages. The magic of the ballet certainly captivates the artistic hearts of residents across the country.