RIbt
 

 

 


Alumnae Perspectives

:: Alexandra Bruzzese :: Francesca Bruzzese

:: Chery Cusick :: Erin Gildea

: Crystal Lamarche :: Magdalena Laws

::Kathryn McLaughlin :: Heather McNamee

:: Sarah Medeiros :: Marcia Newbert

:: Nellie Rainwater :: Crystal Rose

:: Monique Teves

Francesca Bruzzese
Francesca
What have you been up to since RIBT? Please let us know what you are pursuing now. Are you still dancing?

Since leaving the company last year, I've been a college freshman at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, where I'm majoring in Italian. I am still taking a ballet course for credit here at HC.
 
What is your fondest memory of RIBT?

My fondest memory is probably the first night we premiered Madeline; we had rehearsed for so long and the show ended up going very smoothly. It was so rewarding to hear the audience's reactions both while we were onstage and later when we were off stage; the fact that it was such a fun role to play (i.e lots of acting) probably also had something to do with this. I also really enjoyed the premiere of Angels in Flight; it's such a beautiful, poignant piece, and I felt very lucky to be a part of it.
 
What are some of the lessons you learned from the RIBT experience?

Don't take anything too personally and keep pushing yourself to be better.
 
Do you have any advice for the young dancers at RIBT today?

Again, don't take anything too personally and don't let yourself get too nervous before a show; also, if you don't get the casting you want this time, there's always a next time.
 

Anything else you would like to add?

After spending 10 years in the company, it's really weird to not be a member or even take classes at the studio--I met so many great people and really learned a lot about not only ballet but also myself while I was a member.