Ducklings On Tour

By Leilani Tian

For the past few weeks, The Ugly Duckling cast had the opportunity to perform for multiple audiences throughout Texas.

Traveling in three vehicles, The Ugly Duckling cast, along with Rehearsal Assistant Alexa Capareda, Wardrobe Manager Benjamin Taylor Rich, and Operations Stage Manager Steven Myers toured two locations, Graham and Stephenville, Texas. These trips were a great opportunity for the cast and crew to explore outside their home base of Austin, while also bringing a time-tested story, the ballet art form, and Ballet Austin’s apprentice company to many students and families who could not afford to travel to Austin to see these performances. Here, I share with you a little bit of our journey!

Convenience store stops were a must for these long drives. Photos by Alexa Capareda

FIRST STOP: Graham, Texas

Sunset and dinner upon arrival in Graham, Texas. Photos by Alexa Capareda

Arriving Monday evening, the dancers and crew made a trip to the Graham Memorial Auditorium where everyone helped to load in and set up. This was a great opportunity for dancers to gain stage tech experience from skilled stage manager Steven Myers.

Photos by Alexa Capareda

The next day, the dancers performed two shows. In partnership with the Texas Commission on the Arts, the cast was able to perform for more than 600 second and third graders from economically challenged households in the following school districts: Graham, Breckenridge, Woodson, and New Castle.

Graham Memorial Auditorium pre-show. Warmup on stage. Photos by Alexa Capareda

Home to America’s largest downtown square, Graham was a great place for dancers to explore between shows.

Some dancers stopped by a cozy pizza shop before heading back for a second show. Photos by Leilani Tian

SECOND STOP: Stephenville, Texas

Upon arrival, the dancers and crew of Ballet Austin II and the theater staff of Tarleton State University unloaded and set the stage. Unloading props and setting up the special dance floor was a team effort.

Photos by Leilani Tian

The next day, the dancers performed two shows of The Ugly Duckling. In partnership with the Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council, the ballet was presented to nearly 1,500 local elementary school children including 488 from Comanche ISD, 150 from DeLeon ISD, 75 from Three-Way ISD, 131 from Bluff Dale ISD, 540 from Stephenville ISD and 30 children from Faith Homeschool Coop.

Pictured with THE UGLY DUCKLING cast from Ballet Austin are CTFAC board members Kelli Raymond (left), Kelijon Nance (back right) and Executive Director Whitney Lee (right).

And that’s a wrap! We appreciate the great reviews of all of The Ugly Duckling shows in and outside of Austin. Up next for Ballet Austin II and crew: Ballet Austin’s 56th annual production of The Nutcracker!