Blue Heron Performances

The Black Gloves - an original ballet

Black Gloves

Choreographed by Christine Juarez
Composed by David Osuna

Saturday, Oct 19, 1pm & 4pm
At: VHS Theater
Tickets: $12 VAA members, seniors, students / $14 general admission

Is one’s destiny pre-determined? Do we choose the life we live? Who will receive the hallowed black gloves, symbol of great love? The Black Gloves, an original contemporary Ballet written and composed by musician, David O’Suna will be choreographed by Christine Juarez. Essentially a story of hope for the world, The Black Gloves will be performed by accomplished Vashon teen dancers at VHS Theater.

A VAA New Works Series performance, Juarez submitted the proposal last fall with the intention to highlight dance skills of graduating seniors she has worked with at Blue Heron Dance since the dancers were children. “One thing that’s very exciting to me is I’m able to step out of my role as teacher to work with all my advanced dancers. It’s really a celebration of our time together and a way to honor the seniors.”

The other attraction, she says is the opportunity to explore a different movement style, a chance to pull away from classical lines and choreograph a contemporary dance piece. “This is not traditional, romantic Ballet. There’s more jumping and floor work, no Pointe. I’m taking stylistic license, incorporating modern movements…making it sharp and angular,” she says.

Working with costume designer, Kate Guinnee, Juarez visualizes simple, abstract lines in black, gray, crimson and orange. Main characters will be defined by suggestion, such as a hat or a scarf. Artist, Jeffrey Zheutlin will paint an abstract style set. “I love this opportunity to challenge the dancers and the audience,” says Juarez.

The formidable senior cast will include Clarissa Boyajian, Shannon Hennessey, Molly Crosby, Sophie Pawlowski, Chelsea Clark, Sami Ressler, Amorita Juarez, and Sarah Balcom. They will be joined by advanced ballet friends, Camille Kappelman, Madeline Morser, Clare Engelhard, Trudy Soriano, Danielle Richardson and Meg Sayre. Woody Waits, Tucker Lazare and Michael Kappelman will also perform.

About the composer:
Music for the piece, ranging from baroque to modern, is complex with a variety of meters according to composer, O’Suna. A musician since the age of 19, he says he was inspired after seeing Ballet at Seattle Center when he was 20 years old. “I said someday I want to do that. I’ve always loved classical music.” He started writing the piece in 1995, a process that consumed two years. The music was mastered in 2000, but to date the Ballet has never been performed.

The piece centers on the gloves, he says, ‘a great symbol for Ballet.’ The story stems from his fascination for people who can predict the future. His uncle, who had Lou Gehrig’s disease, impressed O’Suna with the philosophy that we all choose the life we are given, a concept integrated into the Ballet’s libretto. Also, O’Suna’s love for flowers reverberates through the piece, along with his own lifelong desire for intimate relationship. “If the filters of communication between men and women were removed, relationships would be different. When the black gloves come into the world, relationships change forever.” He says the ending came as a surprise for him. “The last minute of the Ballet is where it all comes together.”

A published author and accomplished recording artist, O’Suna has taught guitar, composition, orchestration and technology and music for 35 years. He currently has two CD projects in the works of contemporary, original works and jazz. He plans to write more classical music in the future and would love to compose music for another ballet someday.

About the Choreographer
Christine Juarez has studied dance since age 10. Originally from Philadelphia, she studied the Vaganova Method (Russian Ballet) from former dancers of the National Ballet of Cuba. She earned her MS in Modern Dance and Physical Education and her BS in Ballet and Music from Indiana University. She has taught dance for nearly 30 years and founded several children’s dance programs. Juarez is also a Master Artist in Residence for Washington State and spends many hours in public schools teaching math, science or language through movement. She currently works on faculty for Seattle’s Cornish College of the Arts. Juarez has been the Artistic Director for Blue Heron Dance since 1996.

The Story:
The Black Gloves is a story of hope, romance and intrigue. It takes place before time and in Spain, 1842. Before the universe is created, four women (the four lonely hearts) preview their lives and are devastated by what they see. One Lonely Heart, Elvinia, turns away as she sees she is married for many years to an evil man named Neff, a thief and murderer. God then presents a pair of black satin gloves as a symbol of hope. When these gloves come into the world no one will suffer like that again.

In1842, Ramon receives a letter from his father in Spain stating that a church representative, Neff Muerte is seizing the family land. Ramon travels to Spain with his best friend and two children. He encounters assassins and death on his journey.

In a small town in Spain, Elvinia sees a pair of black satin gloves in a shop window and remembers her vision before time. She realizes she will play a great part in bringing the Black Gloves into the world.

Ramon arrives and meets Constantina, another lonely heart, in the town square. With the help of Elvinia and her friend Edmundo, Ramon and Constantina dance the dances of romance in the rose garden. What unfolds will fascinate and delight you. For more information www.davidosuna.com.