PEORIA MAGAZINE September 2022

P L A Y I N G I N P E O R I A

A DECADE OF DANCE At Central Illinois Ballet, it’s ‘not just a job … It’s a life’

BY LAURIE PILLMAN PHOTO BY RON JOHNSON

V isitors entering the studios at 830 W. Main Street in Peoria are greeted by a display of used ballet slippers suspended from the ceiling. Each pair of shoes is beautiful but worn to holes in spots. It’s a striking reminder of just howhard the performerswork to attain the seemingly effortless grace and athleticism they exhibit during every performance. Hav i ng ce l ebr at ed i t s 10t h anniversary in May, the Central Illinois Ballet shows no signs of slowing down. It is the only professional ballet company in central Illinois and it draws dancers from all over the country. The rigorous rehearsal schedule begins at 10 a.m. every day and goes until at least 2 p.m., with evening rehearsals added as performances draw near. Bal let Mistress Jesse Wi l liams says that’s standard for professional

ballerinas. Each dancerworks on a range of styles from ballet to contemporary, from jazz to Broadway. It’s necessary to be well-rounded in today’s professional dance world. That diversity and level of skill is one of the many benefits to having a company of professional ballerinas in Peoria. Audiences expect a higher level of artistry from professionals but may not consider how that translates into a wider variety of quality entertainment. Central Illinois Ballet tackles material with mature emotions and themes. Certain shows, like last fall’s tale of murderous barber SweeneyTodd, simply aren’t suited to a younger cast. That doesn’t mean that children aren’t an integral part of Central Illinois Ballet. The company shares space with the Central Illinois Ballet Academy, which has dance classes for students

from age three all the way up to 80. Many of the company dancers teach at the academy. All of them spend time outside of rehearsals helping the studio with whatever is needed. Marketing, fundraising, and costuming are all handled in house by the non-profit. That dedication to the organization stems from the sense of family that Artistic Director Rebekah von Rathonyi has built into the studio. Williams says that in the sometimes cutthroat world of professional dance, von Rathonyi has curated a welcoming environment. “The biggest thing that sticks out about her audition process is that she truly wants to get to know you as an individual, as a person and not just as a dancer,” said Williams. “She wants a healthy environment for her dancers to get along and to support each other artistically and as human beings.”

82 SEPTEMBER 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE