Benicia Ballet returns after pandemic, move

After managing to survive the COVID pandemic by finding innovative ways to perform, and enduring a move from its longtime home, Benicia Ballet Theatre joyously returns this weekend with a production of Sergei Prokofiev's classic “Cinderella” at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre.

When lockdowns and curfews forced the dance company and school to explore options that they would have never before considered, they set up an outdoor production in their parking lot that was filmed and made available to watch online.

Now that venues and events are opening up again, the members of the Benicia Ballet Theatre Company look forward to getting on a proper stage again and sharing their performances with a live audience.

“I really think it helped these kids keep going. We had a number of kids that were coming to us that were having social difficulties during COVID,” said Artistic Director Teresa Taylor.

“It might seem frivolous and fun, but it provides people with community and connection.”

Benicia Ballet Theatre is composed of a for-profit school and a nonprofit dance company. Many students from the school go on to join the dance company, which is also actually open to anybody that wishes to audition.

“Anyone who auditions for either `Nutcracker' or our spring show gets to perform,” said Taylor. “To be part of the company just means that you commit to being part of both shows for the year.”

In addition to dealing with COVID restrictions the past two years, Benicia Ballet Theatre also had to find a new home after its lease was not renewed at its longtime home at the Arsenal in Benicia. Taylor said that thankfully, the move turned out to be a blessing for them in the long run, as they are now located on a main street, which is easier for people to get to.

Prokofiev's “Cinderella,” which originally premiered back in 1945, is considered a classic among ballets, and Taylor said that the company had a lot of fun while preparing the show.

“The stepsisters' characters are goofy,” Taylor said. “I'm sure that some people's perceptions can be that (ballet) is stuffy, but this has provided us the chance to show that's not all that we are. We had a lot of laughing during the process of choreographing.

“I'm hoping that we can share a good laugh and comic relief with the audience, just genuinely share the whole experience together with the community.”