Experience the Power of Femininity Reimagined in Dawn Springer’s Sylph—A Groundbreaking Contemporary Ballet

Milwaukee, WI (October 3, 2024) – Dawn Springer Dance Projects proudly presents the world premiere of Sylph, a contemporary ballet that redefines femininity within ballet’s traditional framework. This intimate production, featuring internationally acclaimed dancers—Sejain Bastidas, Itzel Hernandez, Annia Hidalgo, Janel Meindersee, and Natalie Dellutri—and music by composer-percussionist Jon Mueller, invites audiences into an exclusive, up-close experience of ballet’s delicate grace and raw power. Sylph will run for three performances, October 11 and 12, at the Jan Serr Studio, overlooking Lake Michigan. Tickets are available now at sylph.brownpapertickets.com.

With a stage set “in the round,” audience members are seated encircling the dancers, offering an unparalleled view of every movement, breath, and artistic nuance. This immersive arrangement blurs the line between performer and observer, allowing the audience to be enveloped by the intensity and vulnerability of the ballet. Sylph is a collaboration of five world-class dancers from Venezuela, Cuba, and the U.S., all pushing the boundaries of their craft under Springer’s bold vision.

The term Sylph evokes both a delicate fairy-like figure and a youthful, slender woman—an image that ballet itself has often perpetuated. But this production seeks to challenge these limited interpretations, exploring the tension between the ethereal and the tangible, the myth and the reality. Sylph raises questions about the female form as an object of beauty and the physical and emotional strain placed on dancers striving for perfection in a discipline that historically places women in both the spotlight and a narrow box.

“For women in ballet, leaving full-time companies in their 30s is a common reality, often marking the beginning of freelance careers — if not forced out of dance entirely,” says choreographer Dawn Springer. “Milwaukee is home to many exceptionally talented dancers who are navigating this stage of their careers. With Sylph, I want to elevate their artistry and explore how ballet can evolve when women lead the conversation.”

Springer’s vision comes to life with the help of lighting designer Ellie Rabinowitz, costume designer Leslie Vaglica, and Jon Mueller’s score, which balances rhythmic precision with emotive crescendos.

The ensemble includes:

• Sejain Bastidas (Venezuela) – Danced with The National Ballet of Ecuador and The National Ballet of Peru, recognized in international ballet competitions.
• Itzel Hernandez (Cuba) – Known for her powerful performances during 10 seasons with Milwaukee Ballet, having danced in Swan Lake and Don Quixote.
• Annia Hidalgo (Cuba) – Former leading artist with Milwaukee Ballet and a soloist with the Cuban National Ballet under Alicia Alonso, famed for her roles in Giselle and Swan Lake.
• Janel Meindersee (USA) – A seasoned performer with Oregon Ballet Theatre and Milwaukee Ballet, having danced lead roles in The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.
• Natalie Dellutri (USA) – Acclaimed for her performances in works by globally renowned choreographers, including Michael Pink, Crystal Pite, and Ohad Naharin.

Sylph isn’t just a performance—it’s an exploration of the physical and emotional complexities of dance, the expectations placed on women’s bodies, and the delicate balance between strength and grace. From the intimacy of the studio to the grandeur of the Jan Serr Studio’s panoramic views, this ballet is poised to captivate Milwaukee and beyond.

Jan Serr Studio, 2155 N Prospect Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
$35 | GENERAL ADMISSION SEATING
https://sylph.brownpapertickets.com/

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.