Andrea Schermoly’s “at High” – Choreographer’s Notes

at High is a piece born out of a title suggestion originally made by artistic director Robert Curran. I was immediately struck by a feeling of what it is to be away, ascended or departed from one’s current life looking back on a time, and a place where one is not able to return to.

The “narrative” I created follows the psychological shift a young boy is forced to pass through as he realizes he has passed on to the “next life” and is confronted with his new norm and community. I felt his initial shock and denial are relatable to any loss or stark life (or death) change. 

Change is thrust upon us all when we least expect it, and often not by our own doing. The grieving process is never pain free whether we have left or lost loved ones, endured failure, or experienced displacement. The path to acceptance is difficult and fraught with inner turmoil.

Mahler’s third movement of Symphony No. 4 is a euphoric roller coaster of emotion with driving changes, and an ethereal sensitivity that I found very moving. The symphony is serendipitously written as an ode to a young boy’s bitter-sweet version of heaven. I had chosen the music and immersed myself in it before realizing that our stories were strikingly similar. That in itself was a beautiful and fascinating link. 

It is a wonderful experience to work with the talented artists at Louisville Ballet, and I felt particularly connected to this exploration.

There is only forward. 

Thank you to Robert and Louisville Ballet.

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SWAN LAKE

November 11-14 2021
The Brown Theatre
Choreography by Robert Curran
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchakiovsky

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The Brown-Forman Nutcracker

December 11-23, 2021
Whitney Hall, Kentucky Center
Choreography by Val Caniparoli
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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ChorShow

January 12-22, 2022
Louisville Ballet Studios

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Spotlight Series: Impressionism to Jazz

March 3-5, 2022
The Brown Theatre
A mixed repertory evening featuring:

Emeralds

Choreography by George Balanchine

Music: "Pelléas et Mélisande" + "Shylock" by Gabriel Fauré

In G Major

Choreography by Jerome Robbins
Music: "Piano Concerto in G Major" by Maurice Ravel

World Premiere Work

Music by Louisville-based Jazz Composer and Musician, Dick Sisto

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Sleeping Beauty

March 31 - April 2, 2022
The Brown Theatre
Choreography by Adam Hougland
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchakiovsky

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