Backstage with the Cuban National Ballet by Peter Hapak

2 minute read

It’s the day before the premiere of Swan Lake on May 12 at Havana’s Grand Theater, and backstage, the dancers of the Cuban National Ballet (BNC) corps are vibrating with nervous energy. The final rehearsals are a prologue to more than just a local premiere: in June, the company will perform Tchaikovsky’s ballet and other classics in the U.S.—its first tour of America in eight years and the first time many of these young dancers will set foot on American soil. While Cuban-American diplomatic relations show few signs of thawing, visa exchanges for artists, writers and performers traveling between the U.S. and Cuba have increased, following tight restrictions during the Bush Administration.

In Havana, the legendary ballerina and BNC director general Alicia Alonso has settled in to watch the last rehearsals. Alonso founded the BNC (then known as the Alicia Alonso Ballet Company) in 1948; she is 90, has difficulty walking and is nearly blind. Yet she follows the dancers’ movements and the sounds of their bodies with close attention. After less than a minute, she claps her hands twice, and silence falls instantly. The grande dame is not happy. “Your movements are too slow,” she says. “Remember that you represent happiness and joy. A spectator in the last row must feel it.” As she speaks, her hands fly through the air, her face lights up, and she taps the wooden floor with her feet in rapid succession. The dancers watch her, rapt. They seem to hold their breath. And then they go again.

Dance is one of the greatest source’s of inspiration for TIME contract photographer Peter Hapak, who studied the work of legendary art director and photographer Alexey Brodovitch. In 1945, Bordovitch immortalized the art form in his unforgettable book Ballet. Hapak traveled to Havana to photograph the company before their US tour. Watching Hapak at work one feels that his passion for dance. On his knees and sometimes tiptoeing, he captures the spirit of ballet.

–Abel González Alayón

The BNC begin their US Tour with performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC through June 5th. On June 8th to 11th they perform at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City and then travels to Costa Mesa, Calif., and Los Angeles.

A young dancer of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba waits backstage during a performance of Swan Lake in Havana, Cuba, May 2011. The company will perform Tchaikovsky’s ballet and other classics in the U.S.—its first tour of America in eight years and the first time many of these young dancers will set foot on American soil. Peter Hapak for TIME
A dancer takes time to stretch backstage at the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, Havana, Cuba. May 2011 Peter Hapak for TIME
Jose Losada of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba in the company’s studio, Havana, Cuba. May 2011 At 25 he's one of the rising stars of the company. He says, “I would like this trip to be a showcase of what we can do. I know we won’t disappoint the American public, nor our own people.” Peter Hapak for TIME
23 year old dancer Dani Hernandez posing in the studio in Havana, Cuba. “All the hard work, the long hours, the diets are worthy when you love something as I strongly as I love ballet”, he says.Peter Hapak for TIME
Dancer Alejandro Virelles‘s legs, of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba in the company’s studio, Havana, Cuba. May 2011 Peter Hapak for TIME
Dancer Dani Hernandez’s legs, of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba in the company’s studio, Havana, Cuba. May 2011 Peter Hapak for TIME
Prima Ballerina Assoluta Alicia Alonso is the general director of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. She founded the company (then known as the Alicia Alonso Ballet Company) in 1948. At age 90 she has difficulty walking and is nearly blind yet is still a strong teacher and mentor to the company. Photographed in the Ballet Nacional de Cuba studios, Havana, Cuba. May 2011 Peter Hapak for TIME
A dancer ties her slippers backstage at the Ballet Nacional de Cuba's theatre. Peter Hapak for TIME
Sadaise Arencibia, of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, is one of the finest Cuban prima ballerinas dancing today. “This is my third US tour, since I danced there in 2001 and 2003, but this time I am going as a prima ballerina. I am very excited about it,” she says.Peter Hapak for TIME
A dancer in the dressing room prepares her makeup for a performance. Havana, Cuba. May 2011Peter Hapak for TIME
A dancer puts the final touches on her makeup before a performance of Swan Lake. Havana, Cuba. May 2011Peter Hapak for TIME
A dancer backstage during a rehearsal at the Ballet Nacional de Cuba theatre in Havana, Cuba. Peter Hapak for TIME
Grettel Morejon, 22, is a rising star of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. On May 16 she made her debut in a leading role of Swan Lake. She says, “The United States is such a ballet stronghold, but I am confident I will impress the audience.”Peter Hapak for TIME
Dancer during a performance of Swan Lake at the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Havana, Cuba. May 2011Peter Hapak for TIME
Dancer during a performance of Swan Lake at the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Havana, Cuba. May 2011Peter Hapak for TIME
A dancer performs a graceful lift during a performance of Swan Lake at the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Havana, Cuba. May 2011Peter Hapak for TIME
Dancers during a performance of Swan Lake at the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Havana, Cuba. May 2011Peter Hapak for TIME
Dancers during a performance of Swan Lake at the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Havana, Cuba. May 2011Peter Hapak for TIME
Dancers leaving the stage after a performance at the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Havana, Cuba. May 2011Peter Hapak for TIME

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