The Female Leads of BareFace | Solo Artist Valerie Linsner

Julianna Rubio Slager’s newest full-length ballet, BareFace, places female athlete artists in leading roles, retelling the myth of Cupid and Psyche from a distinctly female perspective.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are interviewing the female leads of BareFace to get to know their characters before they take the stage this spring!

Solo Artist Valerie Linsner by Kristie Kahns.

Q: What role/character will you be dancing in BareFace?

Linsner: I will be playing the role of Redival, Orual's younger and full-blood sister. Redival often feels left out and misunderstood, and gets jealous of her step-sister Psyche. In the end, all Redival wants is to be loved.

Q: How did you research/prepare for your role? What is something that stood out to you in your research?

Linsner: I began my research for BareFace by reading "Till We Have Faces" by C.S. Lewis, which is also based on the myth of Cupid and Psyche. Other very helpful resources were getting to participate in a roundtable discussion with C.S Lewis scholars as well as listening to Season 3 of the Pints with Jack podcast. BareFace also retells the myth of Cupid and Psyche, and so I found Lewis's material very helpful in developing the character of Redival.

One of the most interesting things that was pointed out during the research process was that Redival spelled backwards is "La Vider" meaning the empty-headed one in French. This gives you some insight into how Orual sees her younger sister! 

Q: Describe the movement/style of the choreography. Is it different/the same as what you've done before? What is the most challenging aspect of the ballet?

Linsner: BareFace's movement style is unique in the sense that each character's movement style is very much influenced by their own personality and how we see them respond to certain situations. For example, Redival is very emotional and makes most decisions from her gut and heart, but not really from her head, so you'll see that come through in her dancing. A lot of Redival's movement takes its impetus from the heart and gut areas of the body. The most challenging aspect for me has been learning how to "speak" through Redival's movement style, while keeping it clear and easy to understand. 

Redival is also viewed as annoyingly sensuous by Orual (the unreliable narrator in our story), so we've incorporated more shoulder and hip movement into Redival's choreography than, say, Psyche's choreography. Because each character has their own movement style in the ballet, every phrase and conversation in BareFace has so much texture! It's very fun to watch. 

Q: Why should audiences see BareFace?

Linsner: With any good story, we can learn from the characters and see ourselves in who they are. BareFace is one of those stories, helping us learn to love people more truly. In addition to the enthralling story line, the costumes, sets, and lighting, so many elements (including some special surprises) are all going to add to the artful spectacle of BareFace. Choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager has created something so innovative and special. You don't want to miss it!