Catching Up With BFan's Newest Promoted Soloist Dancer, Jenavieve Hernandez
/
PHOTO: BOB WILLIAMS
In 2018, Jenavieve Hernandez joined Ballet Fantastique as a Fellowship Apprentice. Since then, she has quickly risen through the ranks with her beautiful expression and nuance in roles ranging from Princess Jasmine in BFan’s Aladdin: A Rock Opera Ballet, to inventive Toymaker in the premiere of BFan’s Babes in Toyland. This season, she was promoted to soloist.
We had a chance to catch up with Jenavieve after a busy fall season of touring and record-breaking Hult Center productions to hear about the last few months and what she is looking forward to for the remainder of the season.
This has been the first season with four full-length productions since 2020. How has it been coming back to a full season after the unpredictability of the past two years?
Coming back this season with four full length ballets has been so exciting! After being in and out of the studio the last two years, finally getting back to full time work actually in the theater has been wonderful. Not being able to fully immerse myself in company life had left me feeling disconnected from my peers and my work…being back has allowed me to dive in more than ever before and has helped to motivate me as an artist!
What helped you work through any unexpected challenges this past fall, especially with ramping up so quickly?
Knowing I’d get the chance to perform! Having that end goal of getting to present what we’ve worked so hard for on stage to a live audience is what has kept me motivated through every challenge.
This upcoming spring season sounds equally as fun and challenging! What are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to our new world premiere, Robin Hood & Maid Marian! It’s always fun getting to put together a new ballet. Being part of the creative process at BFan is so fulfilling. I’m excited to present this next new ballet to our audiences.
PHOTO: MIKI MARKOVICH
Which part in BFan’s March performance, (The Misadventures of) Casanova, are you working on now? Can you describe a little bit about your character?
I’m currently working on the role of Lucia in our upcoming production, Casanova. The role of Lucia has been so wonderful to dive into. She and Casanova are young when they fall for one another, finding a love that is unmatched by any of the others. I’ve imagined her presenting herself as the young woman she is, witty and innocent. She engages Casanova with her mind first letting everything else fall into place. I’m so excited to bring this role to life in the upcoming weeks!
BFan always has a fun twist—what is different about this story of Casanova versus the story audiences might be most familiar with?
The version of Casanova that we get to bring to life shows the woman involved in a whole new light. We get to focus on their side of the story allowing the audience members to take in each woman individually. I love this dynamic and how it recreates the story of Casanova!
Tickets to see Jenavieve and the rest of the Ballet Fantastique dancers in the first two performances of 2023 are available now! Do not miss out on the remainder of this legendary season.