Ballet Hispanico
The word “ballet” may bring to mind images of pointe shoes and tutus, but at Ballet Hispanico, the word encompasses much more. With the company’s diverse repertoire—a fusion of ballet, modern, salsa, flamenco, theater and even disco—BH artistic director and founder Tina Ramirez reminds people that “ballet” in her native Spanish means any type of dancing with a storyline.
Venezuelan-born Ramirez began BH in 1970 with the intention of bringing Spanish culture to the arts community. Since then, BH has expanded from a small troupe to a full-fledged professional company that performs in New York and tours as many as 20 cities a year.
Many of BH’s 77 original pieces relate to world issues—such as different cultures and styles coexisting together. “With the rep you inhabit different worlds,” says Ramirez. Corazon Al-Andaluz, a contemporary work that will premiere in the 2006-07 season, tells of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian people who lived together in peace in 11th-century South Spain. Palladium Suite, a ballroom-based, character-driven piece, celebrates Latin jazz and dance.
Although BH’s work is expansive in style, Ramirez hasn’t neglected the classical foundation. Company members have a daily ballet class, and occasionally dance on pointe.
Ramirez says the company’s principal asset is its group of dancers. “I pick the best dancers who move in my aesthetic—highly trained dancers who look like people,” she says. “I like long balletic lines, but they have to have weight when they dance. Going into the floor is very important in my work.”
While most of the dancers were trained primarily in ballet, some came to BH with a background in other styles, and all have learned different techniques through their work at BH. Now in her seventh year with the company, Natalia Alonso says, “The variety and rep we have fulfills a dancer who’s studied different techniques. You are prepared to do anything you have to do.”
Rodney Hamilton, a Juilliard graduate who’s been with BH for five years, says his experience with the company has allowed him to improve in acting and theater performance. Plus, he says, “Now we can go to salsa clubs and know what to do.”
Ramirez’s mission to bring Hispanic culture to the stage begins at the company’s official school. The Ballet Hispanico School offers classes in ballet, modern and traditional Spanish dance forms.
Ramirez says the school teaches students not only how to dance, but also how to get along with other people, understand Hispanic culture and, ultimately, how to get ahead in life. “I hope the school keeps producing good dancers and good people,” says Ramirez. “I don’t expect them to be cookie cutter. I want them to choose who they want to be.”
Together, BH’s touring and the school make up more than a quarter of the company’s annual budget. After an appearance at the Joyce Theater in NYC in November, BH tours to 12 states through June 2007.
Dancer Laura Di Orio is a graduate of the journalism at Forham University and works as a freelance writer in New York City.
