"And my soul spread
Far its wings
And sailed o'er the hushed lands
As if gliding home."
With flying hair and flowing white outfit, Makaila Wallace embodies the spirit of those lyrics as she rehearses on the Shadbolt Centre lawn.
The recently retired Ballet B.C. star is at Deer Lake Park, getting ready for Dances for a Small Stage: Summer Lovin' - which takes to the stage (or, more accurately, the grounds) at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts on June 20 and 21.
Wallace has collaborated with renowned dance artist Simone Orlando to create a work set to two pieces by Robert Schumann - Dichterliebe (Das ist ein Flöten und Geigen) and Mondnacht, from which the above translation is taken.
She'll be appearing with two musicians: pianist Candy Siu and opera singer Willy Miles-Grenzberg.
"I really, genuinely feel very honoured that I'm able to dance to these two beautiful artists. I'm very lucky," Wallace says. "I really love when art forms cross. There's something really beautiful when you're able to do that with these different mediums."
The piece has its origins in a proposal by Siu, who approached Wallace with the idea of working on a collaboration with a dancer and a singer. Initially, it was going to be a larger project, but when the chance to take part in Dances for a Small Stage came up, the collaboration morphed into a shorter, more intimate performance.
It's one of several works that will make up the Dances for a Small Stage evening. The dance series, curated by Julie-anne Saroyan, brings together a host of dance artists working in a variety of styles, each presenting a short piece as part of the event.
Normally - as its name suggests - the series limits itself to one small stage, confining performers to a 10-by-13-foot space. For this outing, however, performers will work in a variety of settings - from the jungle gym to the plaza to Century Garden - as the audience moves around to enjoy the performances.
It's a setting that appeals to Wallace on many levels - and not only for the natural beauty of the Deer Lake surroundings.
"As my career has gone on, and over the last few years, I've become increasingly interested in more intimate environments," Wallace says. "There is something about being very close with people, literally, that I really quite enjoy. It feels very honest, and it feels as though they're a part of what you're doing, actually in it with you. They are part of the environment, quite literally, and there's something really beautiful in that."
She concedes that dancing outdoors, in a less controlled setting than on a stage, brings extra challenges to the performers - but it's something she relishes.
"No matter what, dance is a live, in-the-moment art form," Wallace says. "It's always important to stay open, and as much as possible be flexible and adaptable within what you're doing."
The same flexibility and adaptability has been part of the game for Jessica Chambers, the Shadbolt Centre's technical director, whose job it has been to work out the logistics of the whole evening.
She notes that the original plan was to have the dancers perform in various locations throughout the Shadbolt Centre itself.
"As we talked about it some more, it started to become really interesting to us to use the space outside," she says. "There's a lot to play with there, and it's great to see the dancers and choreographers interact with the environment we're in."
Of course, that meant solving a few technical problems - such as, for instance, how to make a sound system that would work for multiple locations. The solution? A sound system on a golf cart, powered by a battery inverter designed by one of the site's electricians, that can be driven around from spot to spot.
"At the end of the night we just drive the cart back into the building," Chambers says with a laugh.
Another challenge was lighting - since, on the longest days of the year, it will still be somewhat light outside and traditional theatrical lighting just wouldn't work.
Chambers has opted to focus on decorative lighting, lighting the environment around the performances and allowing the dancers to be lit by the natural light.
"I'm going to be doing some tree climbing," she laughs.
And yes, it also means that Chambers has to have a backup plan in hand in case Mother Nature doesn't cooperate. Since there's a grand piano involved in the evening, the decision has been made that if there's so much as a sprinkle, the performance will have to be inside - with performers in different locations around the building.
(And sadly, if that happens, Chambers won't be able to drive her golf cart sound system around inside.)
Either way, however, Chambers is excited about the opportunity to present Dances for a Small Stage as part of the Live at the 'Bolt series.
"Live at the 'Bolt is a really great opportunity to showcase what we do here," she says, noting in that sense the performance series is similar to Dances for a Small Stage - which offers "little tastes of what modern dance can be."
"It's a really great combination," she says, adding she's hoping to see new audiences turn out to check out the performance.
"One of the things I get really excited about is that it really showcases local artists. It's a really great opportunity to see who are the new, up-and-coming artists in Vancouver."
Wallace notes that Dances for a Small Stage is a perfect way for newcomers to the dance world to get a taste of what it's all about.
"It is a really awesome production because it tends to be very diverse," she says, noting it showcases a wide range of choreography and dance styles.
On top of that, she adds, it's the perfect setting for a summer evening.
"You're in nature, you're in the fresh air in this beautiful environment," she points out. "It's a really awesome venue. To be able to use this space as we are, I think, is really special."
Tickets for the evening are $15 regular, or $10 for youth (high school students and younger). Buy by phone at 604-205-3000 or through tickets.shadboltcentre.com, or pick up in person at the Shadbolt box office at 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
You can find out more at www.shadboltcentre.com or www.movent.ca.
