Annabelle Bang is a cheerleader, honor student, and now, I
think she will definitely call herself a ballerina. The 15 year old sophomore
at St. Louis Catholic High School plays the roles of the Fairy of the Woodland
Glade and Red Riding Hood in the upcoming LCCB production of The Sleeping Beauty. Annabelle says “I
never expected to be a fairy, and never thought I would have the opportunity
for two solo parts in such a big production.”
In the beginning
of the summer, Annabelle says she was frustrated with the choreography of the
Woodland Fairy. “I really wasn’t sure I would get it, but I kept working hard.
I am more confident now, and a better dancer. The choreography [of the Woodland
Fairy] is not too soft and not too sharp. She feels the music, calling to the
forest creatures. I really connect with nature from the choreography and the
music.”
Annabelle says
that the role of Red Riding Hood is challenging because of the acting. “I have
been working in the mirror at home to be afraid of the wolf. Joel is the nicest
guy and such a sweet person, that it’s hard to be afraid of him,” she says of
Joel Sanchez, one of the guest artists from Austin, Texas. Annabelle also says
that working with Joel has improved her partnering skills, an opportunity she would
not have without The Sleeping Beauty production.
When asked about
Annabelle Kisler Hathaway Whitworth, assistant rehearsal director says, “It has
been my pleasure to work with Annabelle, individually over the past few months,
in preparation for her role in Sleeping Beauty.
As we worked together, she not only accepted and executed the
corrections that were given to her, but she also asked questions pertaining to
various steps within her piece to solidify that she was doing them
correctly. It is that enthusiasm and
willingness to learn, that has propelled her to the level of dance that Lake
Charles Civic Ballet expects from its dancers.
Annabelle has such a sweet spirit, and she does a beautiful job conveying
that through her solo.
So what does
Annabelle think about the performance now that it is right around the corner?
“I am super excited and grateful for the chance to work with the Lake Charles
Symphony. I am honored to have the roles I have; it’s weird to think about it
now.” Hard work does pay off.
Annabelle is the 15 year old daughter of
Kay and Irvin Bang. She is a sophomore at St. Louis Catholic High School, where
she also enjoys being a cheerleader. Annabelle has studied ballet for 10 years
with Lady Leah Lafargue School of the Dance and Lake Charles Civic Ballet. She
has enjoyed many LCCB productions, and especially remembers being a puppet in
Rudolph 2009. She has also been featured in Daguerreotype as one of the twins
and in Rudolph 2011 as a Scottish dancer.
Profile photo by Cameron Durham / Dance photo by Romero & Romero Photography
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