Louisa Poletti, 20, Australia

Hello Mystic Ballet Blog-Followers!

Wow! What a busy few weeks we've had! But I'll start off with spooky old Halloween...

Coming from Australia we don't tend to celebrate halloween to any huge degree. So being here on Halloween was a really fantastic experience! Some of the company members went about trick-or-treating, dressed as vampires, alice-in-wonderland, devils, witches and ventriloquist dolls. I personally donned a 'ninja' outfit, equipped with fake daggers and other tools. We had SO much fun!!! It was so great to just run about like kids and collect lollies and chocolate all night! It's definitely something I'd do again because the atmosphere and because of all of the fantastic costumes we saw from some of the kids around town!

Back in the studio, last week we got the chance to work with Sergei Vanaev on a new work to be performed in February. Working with Sergei was wonderful! He's such a funny person! I thoroughly enjoyed his choreography and I'm really looking forward to performing the work in our Dynamic Directions season and can't wait to see what else is in store for it!
I'm also quite glad to be completely back on my feet after having had injuries prior to our GRAB season, so I'm thrilled that I've finally completely recovered from my ailments and can give it everything I've got!

We've currently been working on The Mystic Nutcracker performance, and I have to say, I've been having a blast! Fairies, snowflakes, ballroom-guests, parents and lots of dancing! It's been brilliant! And from what we've heard about set etc. it's going to be a smashing show! I am REALLY looking forward to getting into the theatre with costumes - that's the best part. When everything comes together on stage with the lights, costumes and sets... Production week (our week in the theatre prior to the performance) is always my absolute favourite because you get to see the summit of all of the hard work you've done. It just makes you feel like such a huge part of things and it makes you feel so proud of everything you've achieved. Of course, it's even better when you get to share that with an audience! <- That is priceless

At the moment I'm looking forward to the weekend, so I can hit the gym and maybe relax a bit! If I'm not working on some creative venture that is! Haha!

On a more off-beat note, I've been trying to find time recently to explore a bit of Mystic, and I've been really enjoying visiting the Bookshop in downtown Mystic. I am an avid reader, so I find myself right at home in the bookstore. I also love art and painting/drawing, so I love visiting the art store across the road from the bookshop. They have some fantastic materials there which has made me feel really at home over here. If anyone knows of some lovely scenic views within walking distance, shoot them my way! I'll be out there with a sketch pad and my drawing kit in no time!
So! If you're ever looking for me around Mystic there are 3 main places to try. The bookstore, the art store, or the YMCA - Just look for the red-haired girl!

See you around!
Lou xx

Aleks Subotic, America

Today Mystic Ballet did some volunteering to carve pumpkins at the Pequot Nature Reserve center, every one had a great time and for some it was their first time carving. It was amazing to see all the animals and wild life while we were there.

We also worked on the Nutcracker and it was so much fun. I'm also really excited for our last performance of G.R.A.B this Saturday!

Norwich Bulletin Profiles Gregor Thieler and Mystic Ballet

"When Gregor Thieler talks about what he wants to see in his dancers, he inevitably begins to move. Sometimes his thoughts don’t quite catch up with the enthusiasm whirring in his mind — so he half rises out of his chair to illustrate the electricity, musicality and soul in movement the 29-year-old choreographer is coaxing out of the 13-member company that now comprises the Mystic Ballet........Read More...

Mystic Ballet Company, Fiona Hulands, Australia

At the moment the company is working on its upcoming show G.R.A.B opening on the 16th of October. I'm very excited for this, I cant wait to show the audience what we have been up to and perform for them the amazing works we have.
Today we worked on Marshy Ground a piece about the trials and tribulations of relationships by Jozsef Csaba Hajzer. I will be performing the duet about love and the purity of being totally enamoured with someone. It is a great experience to learn how to dance and move in an out of lifts while expressing pure love for your partner.
Since coming to Mystic Ballet I feel that I have grown as a dancer and an artist. Under the direction of Gregor Thieler and Xanthe Geeves I have become more comfortable in my skin and look forward to rehearsals as I can't wait to explore more and grow more.

So I have been in Mystic for over two months now and I'm loving the place. I have found some great places to walk around and explore. There are also some great places to eat like Bravo Bravo which I went to for my birthday in September. I had a wonderful night Thank you.
Winter is approaching which I'm excited about the snow but a little sad because it is hitting summer back home.

Fiona :)

Mystic Ballet Company Member- Chloe Bayliss, 19 Australia

Week five and I am still going strong! Each day every company member arrives at Mystic Ballet studios to rehearse for our upcoming performances.  We start the day with a lengthy ballet class to get our bodies prepared for the day ahead.
Today we had ballet class with Joseph and boy did he get us working. I certainly woke up on the right side of the bed this morning.I felt ready to take on anything. My class felt good, so I was one happy chappy :)

After an exhausting ballet class we started rehearsals on 'Marshy Ground' which is one of the pieces we will be doing in our opening season on the 16th of October.  I will perform  a 10min Pas de deux in this piece which is about divorce. You should take a look at me when I have finished rehearsing this one.I look a wreck! My hair is everywhere and I am physically and emotionally exhausted. I go to another place when dancing this piece. It is amazing what a choreography can do for you emotionally. I put myself into another world. I cannot explain the feeling and the rush I get from performing this piece.
We start rehearsals on stage at the end of this week.....YAY, I can't wait!When you step on that stage you are really reminded why you dance. Its fantastic.
We have the day off on Sunday, Woo!!! Sleep in :) I love this place. I have been spending my days off riding and walking around exploring  this beautiful little village. I am looking forward to Winter, hoping it will snow. I have never seen so snow so I cannot wait, although I am not sure how I will handle the cold coming from sunny Australia : P
I left the studios feeling good :) although its never enough. There is always more I can bring to every piece, not only as a dancer but and an artist.  I want more and more everyday...... lets see what tomorrow brings!

Clo x


P.S Check out some of our pictures taken at our recent photo shoot. Its just a little sneak peek of some of the amazing things we get up to here at Mystic Ballet.http://www.glenngoettler.com/mysticballet/instudio/2010/promo/grab2/h1ee40254#h1ee40254