Interview with Artistic Director: Vladimir Bykov

To learn more about the Central Florida Ballet's upcoming Nutcracker production,  we spoke with CFB's Artistic Director, Vladimir Bykov. Enjoy our chat below!

Artistic Director of the Central Florida Ballet: Vladimir Bykov
Photo by: Michael Cairns

How many dancers participate in CFB's Nutcracker production and what is the rehearsal schedule?
We have 75 dancers, 4 instructors, and 27 pieces in the production. Rehearsals are held each weekend from October through December.

What do you look for when casting dancers?
Technical ability,  performance skills, and ability to learn choreography fast.

Vladimir Bykov rehearsing dancers at Central Florida Ballet Studios
Photo by Lisbet Photography

What can we expect new this year? 
For the Arabian dance, we will have 6 aerialists. It's never been done before so that will be very exciting for the audience. Also we are debuting a new Act II set which replaces the original first used in 2001.

 

Video Preview of CFB's The Nutcracker

You've played the role of Drosselmeyer for many years, do you ever get nervous before going onstage?
I don't get nervous myself but sometimes do for our dancers.

Have you ever had any unexpected moments onstage?
Of course. It is a live performance and there is always something going wrong. Luckily, the majority of the audience members don't notice it.

 Vladimir Bykov as Drosselmeyer in CFB's The Nutcracker during a pyrotechnics explosion. Photo by: Virginia Trudeau & Deedee Sherman

 What do you find most rewarding in producing The Nutcracker?
Knowing that someone out there in the audience enjoyed it very much.

For information and to purchase tickets to The Nutcracker, please visit www.centralfloridaballet.com.

The Central Florida Ballet brings you an unparalleled Nutcracker performance - complete with uniquely composed sets, aerial acrobatics, pyrotechnics and an exceptional ballet company you won’t soon forget. 

Cassandra LeRette Shares her Favorite Nutcracker Memories

 Professional Dancer of the Central Florida Ballet:

 Cassandra LeRette

1. How many years have you performed in CFB's Nutcracker and which roles have you performed in?

I have performed in CFB's Nutcracker for 13 years. Over the years I've had the opportunity to perform many different roles, including; Mice, Lambs, Angels, Party Girls, Bon Bons, Jig, Soldiers, Party Teens, Snow, Spanish, Tulips, Party Parents, Maria, Shepherdess, and Butterfly!

2. Tell us some of your favorite Nutcracker memories:
Every year, the entire process, from the studio to the stage is just as exciting and rewarding as the last, no matter my age. I always get goosebumps when I hear the music in the studio and I still feel  that way when I'm in the wings at the theater. Some of my favorite memories are simply what I feel before I go onstage and what I feel after the performance, taking in the audience, the music, and just thinking about what we've accomplished altogether. Sounds cheesy but it's true!

 Cassandra rehearses at CFB Studios

3. What roles will you be performing this year and which do you enjoy the most?

This year I will be performing in Party Parents, Snow demi-solo, Shepherdess, and Butterfly!

The role I enjoy performing the most has to be Butterfly, hands down. This year will be my 4th time dancing it, and I still feel the same way I did when I was cast in it the first time. It is without a doubt the hardest role I've ever had to perform, and not just in The Nutcracker.

 Cassandra performs the role of Butterfly in CFB's The Nutcracker;
 Photo by Jose Garrido

Not only is the choreography challenging, but there are also moments that require suspension and elegance, taking up as much space on the stage as I can, using the wings to make it appear as if they are a part of me and not just the costume, all while showing strength and precision through those intense leap and turn sequences. The moments where the steps are smaller can be some of the hardest, simply because I have to channel my energy into my technique and softness through those steps and mask the fact that I can't feel my legs or can't seem to catch my breath. It's all to make it look effortless.

As I am about to make my last entrance, the same thought runs through my head every time, "I don't think I can finish this", and yet, every single time, I get that last rush of adrenaline to push me through. After it's over, and my heart rate has returned to normal and I'm able to breathe again, I feel so fulfilled and empowered. It was my dream role when I was younger, and it is still my dream role!

4. In addition to being a professional dancer, you currently work as a property manager for Darton U.S. Holdings and are going to school for Business, specializing in Real Estate and Property Management. Describe your typical week and how you manage to fit everything in your schedule.

My typical week includes working from 8:00 to 5:30 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I have evening college classes on Monday until 9:15 and I complete my other classes when I have time, as they are online/lecture based, but I usually try to knock those out in the beginning of the week. On Tuesday and Thursday, I either work or go to school in the morning, head to adult class from 12:00 to 1:00 and then head back to work until 6:00. I also strength train at the gym on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday or Sunday, but I switch that up with cycling on occasion. Saturday and Sunday are usually filled with dance and/or rehearsals during Nutcracker time! There are some days or weeks when it seems like too much, but I force myself to get into simple routines that help me manage my time the best that I can, knowing it will all pay off!

  

Cassandra strength training at the gym

5. Do you have any pre-show rituals? How will you prepare to dance the days of the performances?
I don't really have any pre-show "rituals" per say, but I do have to get into a particular mindset, so I'll put my headphones on while I'm warming up or doing my makeup and listen to something to put my mind at ease, sometimes it's classical, sometimes it's some Sinatra/oldies, and sometimes it's some Led Zeppelin, Queen, Supertramp, good, classic rock. It all depends on my mood.

 Cassandra gets ready backstage before a performance

As we get closer to the performance, I make sure my body is in the best shape it can be, I've rehearsed what I need to in order to feel comfortable on stage, simply because it's 10x harder than in the studio. I always make sure I'm completely warm before I dance and I always make sure to stretch after class and take any precautions needed to either prevent injuries or make them feel better (if I have any at the time).

6. Have you ever had something unexpected happen onstage? Describe what happened...
Luckily I haven't had anything majorly unexpected happen onstage, and I hope I don't in the future either (haha) Just little things here and there, so I'm always expecting the unexpected and thinking about what I would need to do if (blank) happened.

Cassandra performs the role of Shepherdess in CFB's The Nutcracker; 

Photo by Rodrigo Athie Photography

7. What is your favorite Nutcracker memory?
I don't have a favorite memory in particular that I can think of right now, but after taking the bows, and the curtain closes, everyone kind of turns around and looks at each other before realizing what we just accomplished. Then there's hugging, (sometimes crying), "good job" and "congratulations" being spoken left and right, there are pictures taken, and flowers are exchanged, it's one of the neatest feelings to do what you love and what you've worked so hard for, and share that with hundreds of other people, whether they were dancing, or made your costume, or even hooked you during your quick change. It's quite the process, but when it all comes together, it's pretty magical to say the least.

 Cassandra backstage during The Nutcracker

We invite you to join us this holiday season, as the Central Florida Ballet brings you an unparalleled Nutcracker performance - complete with uniquely composed sets, aerial acrobatics, pyrotechnics and an exceptional ballet company you won’t soon forget. 


Tickets are on sale now at www.centralfloridaballet.com