Berks Ballet Theatre will bring one of classical ballet’s most iconic productions to the stage next month, continuing its milestone 50th anniversary season with a performance of Swan Lake in Reading.
The performance is scheduled for Saturday, May 9 at 2 p.m. at the Miller Center for the Arts and will feature Act II and Act III of the renowned ballet—marking the first time the company has presented those sections locally.
Nathan Bland, artistic director of Berks Ballet Theatre, said the production highlights some of the most recognizable and emotionally driven moments of the ballet.
“You will see the white act of Swan Lake, which is all of the swans dancing with Odette and Prince Siegfried, and that will transition into Act 3, which is when we see the black swan, Odile,” Bland said.
The story follows Odette, a princess cursed to live as a swan, and Prince Siegfried, who attempts to break the spell by pledging his love to her. In Act III, Odile—an illusion of Odette—deceives the prince, creating one of ballet’s most dramatic turning points.
Bland said the production has been months in the making, with dancers rehearsing multiple days each week since February.
“The dancers have been working tirelessly to perfect the style and the technique that is required of this very intense athletic ballet,” he said, adding that costumes are being created and guest artists will join the performance.
Among those taking on the lead roles are youth dancers Collette Jordan as Odette and Hennessey Kehs-Rossi as Odile, both of whom described the experience as both challenging and rewarding.
“The hardest thing about the process is probably just learning and memorizing all the steps and then building upon that each week,” Kehs-Rossi said.
Jordan said endurance has been one of the biggest challenges.
“For me, the hardest part is definitely stamina because it’s a lot of back-to-back dances that are very technically difficult,” she said. “So I’ve had to work really hard on pacing myself and not using up all my energy within the first five minutes.”
Despite the demands, both dancers said there are standout moments they are especially excited to perform.
“One of my favorite parts about the role is the coda,” Kehs-Rossi said, referencing a fast, paced and technically demanding finale section.
Jordan added that she enjoys the opportunity to perform alongside a partner.
“I really like the opportunity that it’s opened up for me to experience partnering and working with another person,” she said.
Audience members can expect the visual contrast that defines Swan Lake, from the synchronized precision of the white swans in Act II to the elaborate costumes and character dances featured in Act III.
“In Act Two, they can expect to see all of the beautiful white swans… everything’s together. It’s all in sync,” Jordan said.
“In Act Three, we’ll see the 32 fouettés and beautiful costumes for all the more character dances,” Kehs-Rossi added.
The performance is part of a larger celebration marking five decades of Berks Ballet Theatre, showcasing both the company’s legacy and its next generation of performers.
Bland said the organization hopes the community will come out to experience the production.
“We hope to see you there,” he said.