Hamlet
“Stark. Modern. Unforgiving.”
Susan Elliott, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution
Welcome
Footnotes is a performance
guide published by the
Community OutReach
and Education (C.O. R. E. )
Department of Ballet
Austin. We hope this
Footnotes furthers
your enjoyment of our
performance, Hamlet,
opening in Austin
March 12-14, 2004.
What’s
Inside?
Ballet Collaborators,
pages 2 & 3
Hamlet
is About..., page 4
More About this
Ballet, page 5
Understanding
Shakespeare page 6
Spotlight: page 7
Hamlet’s Repetiteur
The Audience: The
Final Collaborator
& Resources, page 8
Ballet Collaborators for....
Hamlet
“Breathtaking to
behold…” Dance
Magazine’s
description of Ballet
Austin’s Hamlet.
Color is used in the
costume design to
tell the audience
more about each
character.
Photo by Scott Harbin
The orange costumes
worn by Polonius,
Ophelia and Laertes
Dancer Anthony Casati as Hamlet.
let you know that
they are somehow
amlet is the tale of a tormented son driven
related. What is
their relationship
to each other?
H to avenge his father’s death. Many artists
work together, or collaborate, to turn the
play Hamlet into a ballet. Here are some of those
artists whose talents shine in this production
Once cast in their
of Ballet Austin’s Hamlet.
role, each dancer
must go through
ftig trying on
itns, The Costume Designer —
costumes for adjust- Christopher McCollum
ments specific to his The costume design reflects the
or her body. contemporary feeling of the
work, using Armani-inspired In Act I, Hamlet’s costume is black
suits and sleek dresses. and Gertrude and Claudius wear red.
Costumes help us identify What might these colors represent?
the characters, their rela-
tionship to others, and the time In Act 2, the use of color reverses for
and place in which the story is set. all cast costumes with Hamlet now
A character’s costume change
wearing red. What do you think
can often be a signal that a
this means?
major event has taken place.
Dancers: Anthony Casati and
Gina Patterson in mirrors
Photographer: Andrew Yates
Photo/Illustration by Action
Figure (on front cover) Costume sketches by costume designer, Christopher McCollum.
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Ballet Collaborators
ci:
Srm
a semitransparent
curtain used as a
stage backdrop.
When you light
Photo by José Medina
a scrim from the
front you cannot
see through it.
When you light
Act 1 of Hamlet. a scrim from the
The Choreographer — Stephen Mills, rear you can see
Ballet Austin Artistic Director
behind it. How
The original choreography of Hamlet is a blend of classic and con-
is a scrim
temporary ballet. It clearly tells the story without the typical use of
There is little use of pantomime, or used in Hamlet?
pantomime with dramatic results.
gestures, in this ballet. The story primarily Stephen selected music for each
told only through movement. Can you scene from the previously recorded
identify certain movements used to express music of Philip Glass. He knew this
What other
specific emotions or actions? haunting, percussive and richly tex-
pieces of the
tured music was perfect for his
In Act 2, pantomime is used more frequently. set are hung
vision of Hamlet.
from the ceiling?
Photo by José Medina
What gestures used in Hamlet have you Stephen was assisted by Jeffrey
seen in other story ballets? A. Main with the scenic design.
Metallic surfaces and translucent
fabrics help define the mood of
Philip Glass
Dancers Gina Patterson and Chris Hannon. Hamlet. The castle, represented
composes music
by tall, cylinder-shaped towers
for opera, theater,
gives a sense of richness and beauty. Many parts of the stage design
can be used in multiple ways to define different settings. dance, and film.
He most recently
The Lighting Designer — Tony Tucci received an Oscar
Tony develops the lighting design early in the creative process of developing nomination for
the ballet. The quality of the music as well as the “visual impression” left
his film score
Photo by José Medina
by watching rehearsals shapes a lot of his ideas. The lighting style for
to the movie
Hamlet is quite contemporary. The use of light with fog gives a loud,
The Hours.
pulsing, rock concert feeling. The light plot, the specific way the lights
are hung, calls for intelligent lighting, a complex and expensive lighting
Gina Patterson as Ophelia. technology which allows for movement of lights after being hung. Due
to the sophisticated lighting, the lighting designer travels to assist other
companies with their Hamlet productions.
Foot n o t e s w w w. b a l l e t a u s t i n . o r g 3
Hamlet is about....
Act 1
The ballet begins near the play’s ending with Hamlet mortally wounded. As he
lies dying, he relives the events that brought him to this place. Hamlet arrives
home from school and learns of his father’s untimely death. Hamlet’s Uncle
Claudius becomes king after marrying Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, barely two
months after his father’s death. Scene one shows the wedding
celebration of Claudius and Gertrude.
Ophelia comforts Hamlet during his intense Murde
mourning for his father. Seeing this, Polonius,
Ophelia’s father, forbids her to see Hamlet.
Photo by Scott Harbin
The ghost of Hamlet’s father appears • C a d u kills
luis Ki
kills
• Hamlet P
Kin •
to tell Hamlet that his death was not an • L e t s kills
are H
g
is
• Hamlet kills Cl
accident. In his sleep, he was mur-
Le
gh
or
hou
ef
dered by his own brother, Claudius.
alt
let
enc
ugh nci all . a,
• Lreall rejeder. innoc
himeally tch", Ham
Hamlet agrees to avenge his
thoa "fe s ch s her pheli
to
e r ma ges
ns
father’s murder. Hamlet fights to keep his
to aert lovects O
The following
he amlets muraims
pla
mur h ng en
• H let’us cl
dancers have sanity as he is confronted by three additional
.
Ham audi
y
e
danced the role visions of himself.
l
•C
der
Obeying her father’s orders, Ophelia
of Hamlet in Ballet
attempts to return love letters she received
Austin’s productions
Hme
b C at a e g
f t e d u a d ai d a h
alt
from Hamlet. Hamlet questions Ophelia’s
The ghs y h w sk
y l uo v n e h
a h r i s n ss e t .
in Austin, Texas: This Shakespearan T
motives and rejects her.
ost of a k l e
Chris Hannon, 2000 Hamlet convinces a group of street as e
Sii
Anthony Casati, performers to re-enact the story of his Hamlet l d
prt
father’s death in a performance for Gertrude
s
2000, 2004
i
’
s
•
and Claudius. Upon seeing the play, Claudius C Haml
l
s
Desmond d r a d u et on
e ou i s
Ha f i f o
becomes disoriented, enraged, and flees the • mlet h s f tr t e
ah h m
Richardson, 2004 m r Laerte.
ud e, u -
r K r
scene. This confirms for Hamlet that his father ad r
n d e o s on ig
n
e t f h s Haml
ah i
o h ft
f i ah et f
How many different was murdered by Claudius. s s e ,P or th
i t r oo e
s e ln
A distraught Claudius begs the heavens for for- r,
versions of himself Oh i s
pe u ,
la
i.
does Hamlet see
giveness. Polonius takes the overwhelmed Gertrude
Rev
as he fights to keep
back to her room, but hides when he hears Hamlet enter. eng
his sanity?
Gertrude tries to explain why she married Claudius so quick- e
ly after his father’s death. She and Hamlet argue and Polonius
tries to escape without being seen. Thinking he is Claudius, Hamlet
What does each
accidently stabs Polonius. Gertrude is horrified, and promises to stay away
vision tell us about from Claudius as Hamlet flees.
Hamlet? After the rejection of Hamlet and the death of her father, Ophelia sinks deeply
into despair, grief, and insanity. She drowns while swimming in a river.
4 Foot n o t e s w w w. b a l l e t a u s t i n . o r g
More About this Ballet
Characters from
ly o n alt
pa nt i ble:
oai:
•Hrto
Hamlet’s friend
•Rosencrantz &
ulesen
Gidntr:
old school
friends of Hamlet
Photo by SJosé Medina
and courtiers
Orc
• s i a courtier
e
dr Friba
•otnrs
Act 2, Ophelia’s funeral. Prince of Norway,
becomes king
King Hamlet when Hamlet dies
lnu
Po o i s
Ins
Hamlet
•H o h Ophelet a s. upobody
luis
Cadu
am i f ia nd
ani
f
le s a a d
t t e ft ea
• Haml loniu mlet ’s al.
Act 2
up r . er th
ty
on
h
Po • Ha helia uner
se
ll have gathered for the
A
ei
ng
Op her f
funeral of Ophelia. Upon
th
rej of
e
ect
gh
hearing of her death,
ion
os
n at
t
by
se
Hamlet comes out of hiding.
ei
ng
Everyone knows of Polonius’
Cla et’ i g a t
Hamlr o K r - n c
murder and avoids him. Claudius
L e ted by C ’ dikertrude.
-
r
f n e
and i
son mlet nd G o
so
• Ha udius a d a h f
laud n i p
blames Hamlet for Polonius and
t aes e
t
Tragedy has it All
s o yl y r
s e
ius
Ophelia’s deaths and convinces
sr
•P
Laertes, Ophelia’s brother, that
it
he must avenge them.
ee
.
Dc
s
are
The shock of seeing Ophelia’s
lifeless body sends Hamlet into
in
wns son great introspection. In his mind,
dro poi
ia Dancers, Chris Hannon and Margot Brown.
phel rinks he replays interactions with those
• O vr. de d mlet
ie tru Ha he loves most. Eventually the demons
a r er r
o
• G nt f of his mind crush him.
mea
Laertes challenges Hamlet to a
h
eat
CHARACTERS:
fencing match. However, Claudius and Laertes
D plan to poison Hamlet with a drink. Laertes dips Hamlet – Prince of Denmark Polonius – Ophelia’s father
his fencing sword in poison that kills with just one Gertrude – Hamlet’s mother, Laertes – Ophelia’s brother
drop. Claudius tries to persuade Hamlet to drink. Yet, Queen of Denmark Street performers
Gertrude accidentally drinks from the poisoned chalice intended Claudius – Hamlet’s uncle, (players)—
for Hamlet. Seeing the ruined plan, Laertes cuts Hamlet with his poi- marries Gertrude after re-enact the story of
soned sword. They then fight and Hamlet stabs Laertes. At this King Hamlet’s death King Hamlet’s death
moment, the poison takes effect upon Gertrude. As she dies, she tells Ophelia – In love with
Hamlet she was poisoned. At his death, Laertes confesses his and Hamlet
Claudius’s deception. Hamlet gathers all of his strength and kills
Claudius.
Foot n o t e s w w w. b a l l e t a u s t i n . o r g 5
Understanding Shakespeare
Since Shakespeare’s
works were not
published until some illiam Shakespeare, 1564-1616,
time after they were actor and playwright, wrote 38
originally performed, plays typically divided into
comedies, histories, and
it is hard to say when
tragedies. Unfortunately,
Shakespeare wrote
no manuscript of a Shakespeare play survives
Hamlet. Many today. What we know about Shakespeare’s Hamelt
believe it was around life comes from public records, his works and talking
to the
1601 because of writings from other authors of the time. ghost of
a reference to a Shakespeare’s plays were first published his father.
Engraving
company of actors from 1603-1605 as quartos, small books made by from
folding a sheet of paper twice and making eight The Complete
that had just become Works of
pages. In 1623, the first folio, a book made by folding Shakespeare
popular at that time. Revised from the
a large sheet of paper one time and forming four pages, Original Editions,
was compiled by two of Shakespeare’s fellow actors and The London Printing
Shakespeare often and Publishing Company.
contained 36 his of plays. About 1,000
used older tales to
copies of the first folio were originally
influence his writing
printed and one of the remaining
rather than creating copies can be seen at the Harry Shakespeare and other actors performed his
them from Ransom Humanities Research plays in an outdoor theater called the Globe
scratch. Center at The University of hae
T e t r, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
Texas at Austin.
Hamlet, recorded How do you think the original production done
in both quartos and folio outdoors differs from our ballet production in
formats, remains one
Bass Concert Hall?
of the most popular
Shakespearean tragedies
spanning generations of
Ophelia by readers. The quote from
the river.
Engraving from
Hamlet’s soliloquy, lines
The Complete spoken as if talking to oneself,
Works of
Shakespeare “To be or not to be, that is the
Revised from the question.” continues to be one of
Original Editions, The
London Printing and the most famous quotes in literature.
Publishing Company.
The inside front cover of The Complete Works of
Shakespeare Revised from the Original Editions,
The London Printing and Publishing Company.
“To be or not to be,
Hamlet from the First Folio, The Harry Ransom Humanities
Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin.
6 Foot n o t e s w w w. b a l l e t a u s t i n . o r g
Spotlight: Hamlet’s Repetiteur
In October 2000,
Ballet Austin Artistic
Director, Stephen
Mills’s version of
Hamlet premiered
in Austin.
In October 2001,
BalletMet Columbus
premiered Hamlet.
In April 2002 Dayton
and Ohio Ballets
Michelle Martin working with dancers in rehearsal.
premiered Hamlet.
In March 2003,
repetiteur is the person
A
while Stephen returned to Ballet
Atlanta Ballet
who teaches other ballet Austin. The Atlanta ballet mistress
companies a particular ballet. or master, female or male respon- premiered Hamlet.
Stephen Mills, Ballet Austin sible for rehearsals, took notes and
artistic director, and Michelle videotaped the instruction process
Martin, associate artistic director, to continue rehearsals after the
help many other ballet companies Ballet Austin staff returned home.
learn and perform Stephen’s work. Before traveling to Atlanta,
Stephen and Michelle had just Michelle spent a great deal of time
working with Stephen and
studying videos of the per-
formance. She explains,
“Stephen’s choreography is so
specific to his style. Part of
my role is to relay to the com-
pany that style along with
the steps.”
Sometimes Ballet Austin
dancers who have danced
more complicated roles will
assist with the teaching.
Ballet Austin’s technical director,
two weeks to teach Hamlet to the lighting director and other
Atlanta Ballet. The first week, production staff may also help
Stephen traveled to Atlanta to with the load-in, or unloading
[ ]
cast, or select the dancers for each of sets and props into the theater.
“ s hrorpy s o
Stephen’ c o e g a h i s
roll, and began teaching the the “Depending on our schedules, we
choreography, the specific steps try to be there for opening night. pcfc o i tl. r f y
s e i i t h s s y e Pa t o m
of the ballet. The second week It is always great to see our ballet oe s o ea o h opn
rl i t rlyt tecmay
Michelle arrived in Atlanta to performed by other companies” , ht tl ln ih h tp ”
t a s y e a o g w t t e s e s.
rehearse Hamlet with the dancers says Michelle.
, that is the question.”
Foot n o t e s w w w. b a l l e t a u s t i n . o r g 7
The Audience: the Final Collaborator
Go online…
For more information about Shakespeare
www.bardweb.net
For more information about Hamlet
For more
www.shea.mit.edu/ramparts
information about
For more information about Philip Glass
Ballet Austin’s Dance
www.philipglass.com
Eduation Center visit
W atch… www.balletaustin.org
Hamlet: or call 512-476-9051.
• 1948 film directed by Laurence Olivier,
starring Laurence Olivier as Hamlet and
Eileen Herlie as Gertrude, 155 minutes.
• 1990 film directed by Franco Zeffirelli,
allet Austin is debuting another Austin first, with the unveiling
starring Mel Gibson as Hamlet and Glenn
Close as Gertrude, 130 minutes.
Read…
B of plans for the community's sole downtown venue for a major
performing arts company. With the October 2002 purchase of a
building at 501 West Third Street, the Dance Education Center will allow
Ballet Austin to increase its cultural, social and educational impact on
Hamlet, by William Shakespeare
Austin. The new Dance Education Center plans to eventually house
Shakespeare for Everyone, Hamlet, by
seven studios, administrative offices, a box office, gift shop and the
Jennifer Mulherin, A.S. Publishing, 2001. Ballet Austin Academy.
Listen to…
You, the audience, are the final collaborator. The dancers appreciate your
Philip Glass: Violin Concerto, 1993. applause and attention. Prepare for the unexpected as you experience
Philip Glass: Dance Pieces, In The
Hamlet.
Ballet Austin’s
Upper Room, 1987.
Philip Glass, music from the film scores:
Anima Mundi, 1992.
Mishima, 1984.
2004
Hamlet
Season Cinderella
March 12-14, 2004 May 14-16, 2004
h n s o u . R. p n o s
T a k t o r C O. E. S o s r
tpe il
Artistic Director, S e h n M l s
o k e u z . R.
Executive Director, C o i R i , C F. E.
Director of Community OutReach
ihl trlf
& Education (C.O.R.E.), M c e e S a k o f
Footnotes Editor, Brenda Blue
oi ru Ban ein
Footnotes Design, L r B a n / r u D s g
o fie 7-13
BxOfc:4626
8 Foot n o t e s w w w. b a l l e t a u s t i n . o r g