Miranda Rubio | Season in Review
One of our Ballet 5:8 traditions at the end of each performance season is to ask the artists of the company to share some reflections with us. A special thank you to the artists of the company for sharing about their experiences in the 2021/22 Season.
Miranda Rubio (center) in rehearsal for Julianna Rubio Slager's Golden Sessions
Q. Pick one word to describe the 2021/22 Season. Why?
A. Resurrection. This season more than any other has been one of bringing old things back to life. Partially from bringing back so much heritage repertoire and partially from my own personal struggles with injuries. Having grown up through Ballet 5:8's Conservatory and Trainee program I remember watching, understudying, or being a young corps member in a lot of these works. It took me back to those days and all of the hopes, dreams, and fears I had as a student, wondering if I would ever be where I am today. When reflecting on the past I see more clearly the sweetness of the present. I'm proud of that younger version of myself who fought hard to follow God's calling, but I'm also glad I'm not her anymore. I've learned so much since then that I would never want to give up. Even if it means as I grow older I deal with a few more body pains, I'll happily take that in stride, knowing that no matter how hopeless or "dead" a situation may look to me, there's nothing on this earth that can't be resurrected and brought into a new life by Christ.
Q. Can you share a favorite moment from on- or off-stage?
A. I'm not prone to crying in public, in fact, I really dislike it. However after our final performance of Shades of Refrain this season I was overwhelmed with emotion. Here we were at the end of a long season after persevering through many personal trials. I was suddenly struck by God's mercy in allowing me to be on stage each weekend telling stories of his love. The lights had gone out, the final notes of the music were sitting in the air and I was quietly weeping. At that moment a fellow dancer took my hand and gave it a quick squeeze. It was a small gesture, but one that meant a lot to me. To know you are deeply loved by God is a beautiful thing—to additionally be reminded that you are deeply loved by a community such as the one at Ballet 5:8 is an outpouring of grace I am wholly unworthy of, yet beyond grateful for.
Q. You performed many works this season! Does one stand out as the most meaningful or most notable for you personally? Why?
A. Hmm that's a tricky one. I know it may sound cliché but I do truly love each work we do. Winter from Julianna Rubio Slager's Four Seasons of the Soul has been wonderful to revisit. I've been jokingly saying that I have gotten "Seasons Bingo" this year; throughout my years with Ballet 5:8, I've performed in the corps, coryphée, and soloist roles of this ballet. Winter is the first work I ever did with the company. I love the journey this piece takes you on and the distinct differences in each role. Every dancer in Winter tells their own part of the story, and that works together to create the world we're dancing in. As part of the Winter trio this year, I get to test my artistry by showing what death looks like to those who don't know where they're going. It's a heavy topic but it's so important to dialogue about.
Q. What or who has inspired you this season?
A. Two things stand out to me specifically. One is a prayer I've been meditating on before each show: "Christ work through me, not in spite of me." It's short and to the point—my work is not about myself. There's nothing more inspiring than being open to working with the Holy Spirit, who is a master artist himself.
The second thing is actually a person, Mrs. Julianna, Ballet 5:8's Artistic Director. She never fails to amaze me with the energy she brings into each day. When I feel tired or discouraged she is always there with a reassuring word. The way she conducts classes and rehearsals allows both room for grace and a push toward excellence. Not to mention, when it comes to creativity, she's bursting with it. Her choreography somehow still manages to surprise me even after many years of dancing under her. It's a great gift to have such a strong and caring leader to look up to.
Q. What are you looking forward to next season?
A. I am so excited to start on our new work! Creating choreography is one of my favorite things in the whole world. I also just love the buzz of the beginning of the fall season! Everyone is rested and ready to go, which brings such a wholesome joy and satisfaction to each day.