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Stoner Winslett

"Dancers have the physical prowess of the very finest athletes, but as artists they have the emotional sensibilities of the finest poets and composers and painters. That makes them a very special breed." 

 

Stoner Winslett is the founding artistic director of the Richmond Ballet professional company. In the past 28 years with Winslett at the helm, the Richmond Ballet has established the first major company of professional dancers in the commonwealth, commissioned 42 new works from choreographers from around the world and introduced the much-acclaimed Minds In Motion program into area schools. Winslett's work has been recognized both regionally and nationally with numerous appointments and honors. She served as a Cadmus Leader-in-Residence at the Jepson School at the University of Richmond, was named a YWCA Woman of the Year and was chosen by Style Magazine as one of the 100 most influential Richmonders of the 20th century.

 

When did you discover ballet?

When I was 4 years old, my mother took me to my first dance class.

 

Where did you receive your dance training?

I was trained by Ann Brodie, Aldofina Suarez and Michael Lland in Columbia, S.C., and at American Ballet Theatre School and North Carolina School of the Arts on scholarship.

 

How long have you been with the Richmond Ballet?

This is my 28th season and this is my 28th "Nutcracker" because that is what I started with here.

 

Much like Christmas trees and Santa, it seems you can't have Christmas without "The Nutcracker." Being the play seems to run for multiple shows each day for the later part of December, do dancers and choreographers actually enjoy "The Nutcracker" or is it just part of the job?

Our "Nutcracker" runs December 14 though 23. It's not every day, but it is 12 shows and it is pretty consuming when it comes to rehearsal time, which starts in the middle of November. But our dancers love "The Nutcracker." The great thing about "The Nutcracker" is that it has so many different types of parts in it that range from the tiny mice who are 7 or 8 years old on up to the Sugarplum Fairy. But some of these people have done a lot of the roles. You put up a Christmas tree every year, but many families enjoy getting out those boxes and putting up those ornaments and reminiscing about where they came from. "The Nutcracker" is also that way. A lot of people had their first date at "The Nutcracker" or they brought their first grandchild to the ballet. It can bring back a lot of memories for some.

 

How many times have you performed in "The Nutcracker"?

The company that I was involved with as a child did not do "The Nutcracker" every year. But I would say that I have been in maybe three different productions, which is actually a lot, because that is not three different performances. That is three different productions in different cities.

 

I have read that you have choreographed an acclaimed new version of "The Nutcracker." What have you done to make it new and different?

The new "Nutcracker" is called new, but this is the fifth anniversary. The previous "Nutcracker" played for 19 years, which was also one I did. The new one is five years old, so we are going to have to stop calling it new, but what is fabulous for me was to do a version in 1984 and then be able to see it every Christmas for 19 years and think about the changes I would like to make and tweak and make more interesting and then have the opportunity to do that.

 

I also read that your performance career was curtailed due to a few knee injuries. I know ballet is extremely physically demanding, so how common are injuries?

I think there are little injuries that do happen and then there are big injuries sometimes, but it is just like any type of sport or anything that is demanding of your body. If your training is really good and if you take care of yourself, you have less risk of injury and our dancers are very good at that. But there are some overuse injuries like tendinitis and some traumatic injuries if something breaks or snaps.

 

Do you miss performing?

I miss dancing, which is different from performing. I miss just taking space and moving across the room and dancing and traveling across the dance floor. But performing in front of an audience is not as important to me as just the dancing itself.

 

What is one of the biggest things an audience member might not know about ballet?

I think sometimes thanks to a beautiful piece of work like Walt Disney's "Fantasia," people think of ballet as just pink tutus. I also think that people don't think of ballet being as much of a male art form as a female art form. The dancers have the physical prowess of the very finest athletes, but as artists they have the emotional sensibilities of the finest poets and composers and painters. That makes them a very special breed.

 

What is your favorite performance/ballet?

It's which ever one I am watching right now. It really is.

 

Who is your favorite composer?

There are just so many there is almost no composer that I don't like.

 

Besides "The Nutcracker," what is your favorite part about the holidays?

Family. To me, the holiday season is just about family togetherness. I have a very close family and we just enjoy being together.

 

Who are your greatest influences?

Probably my parents. I just lost my father in September, but I have basically been with my parents for my entire 49 years. I'm close to them and they are just stellar people. They are just the type of people that everyone should aspire to be and look up to. Whenever I don't know which direction to take I always think of what would one of them do.

 

What is your favorite spot in Richmond?

I love the Virginia Museum [of Fine Arts] . I also love the Gibson Studio and the ballet building. I also love Zeus Gallery Cafe. But I work and travel with the ballet so much I really just love to go home.

 

What are your three favorite movies?

I love all of the Pink Panther movies, the Jacques Clouseau movies. If I want to laugh, I'll always watch one of those. My favorite history and picturesque film would be "A Room with a View." Also, I think Disney's "Fantasia" and "Fantasia 2000" movies are some of the most genius works ever done.

 

What was the last great book you read?

I love Ann Morrow Lindbergh's "Gift of the Sea." I reread that from time to time and I read it again recently. She went to Smith College, which is where I went to college, so I feel a sort of connection there.

 

What characteristic do you admire most in somebody else?

Personal integrity.

 

What can't you live without?

This will sound trite, but I have to have food and sleep. If I have those two, I can function through anything. But if I am sleep deprived or food deprived I am not good.

 

What is your favorite gift to give?

Probably flowers and chocolates.

 

Fill in the blank: Richmond is __________.

An extraordinary city full of history and beauty that is ready now and poised to take it's place in the new millennium.

 

w LAST TIME OUT:  Santa Claus, the one and only man in the big red suit.