Bakersfield City Ballet is thinking outside the box, and outside the stage, when it comes to live performances during the pandemic.
"We’re very excited that we have modified choreography that was originally staged for a stage production," said Artistic Director Erica Ueberroth.
She said the ballet company would have hosted their second annual show at the Fox Theater this year but the pandemic put that on pause. Still, the show must go on, even if it’s not on a stage.
“We have tweaked choreography to be able to perform in a neighborhood street, culdesac, restaurant or church parking lot. Almost anywhere outdoors," said Erica.
The Curbside Ballet is a series of private performances brought to you. When you go online and reserve a show, you tell them where you’d like the outside ballet to be.
“So we’re bringing the performance to the community basically in their front yards," said Erica.
Erica said because of the pandemic, they haven’t performed since January.
“It’s been difficult. We continued our training virtually online over zoom and then leading up to getting ready for the performances, we’ve been rehearsing in a park and trying to just roll with the punches," she said.
The show features movements from a piece called ‘Four Strings' and it’s set to beatbox music that is lighthearted and groovy. Erica said the dancers are excited to put on a show, even if it took quick thinking and creativity to make it happen.
“I think as dancers being poised, being ready for what’s next, you know, kind of always being on the balls of our feet, we just were trying to make it work,because it’s really important for our organization to stay connected with our community," she said.
Face masks and social distancing will be enforced at each show. Tickets are $75 and you can click here to reserve a performance.
