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Apr 17

Chelsea Dumas: Becoming Wuthering Heights’ Catherine

Posted bySamantha Salvato  |  Dancers  |  Spotlight

Charlotte Ballet company dancer Chelsea Dumas takes on her newest role as Catherine Earnshaw of Wuthering Heights, boldly adapted into a ballet by Associate Artistic Director Sasha Janes.

“Wuthering Heights is a tragic and beautiful love story,” Chelsea describes. “It is going to take the audience on a roller coaster of emotions. Catherine’s emotions alone are constantly changing. Sasha’s choreography, costumes, sets, and music are so beautiful. Make sure to bring some tissues!“

Learn more about Chelsea and find out how she prepares herself to perform the complex role of Catherine.

Wuthering Heights

April 27-29, 2017 | Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts

BUY TICKETS

wuthering-heights-rehearsal-still

The dancer behind the role

This is Chelsea’s fourth season as a Charlotte Ballet company dancer. She explains, “I started dancing at age three and, interestingly enough, I feel that dance chose me. In my family it was typical to go to college and get a job. I tried to go that route but opportunities would arise and I would always find myself dancing again. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to make a living doing what I love. It is where I feel most at home.”

A new ballet

“Learning a new role is always exciting and challenging. We have been learning scenes in no particular order, so I love seeing how all the choreography connects. I like watching the whole ballet come together after weeks of rehearsing. Its amazing to be a part of a brand new ballet that starts from nothing but a story.”

Finding inspiration

“When I found out I was going to be Catherine, the first thing I did was read the book because I had never read it before. I also watched many different versions of the movie to draw inspiration from the different ways each portray Catherine. My favorite is the 1992 version with Juliette Binoche as Catherine.”

chelseafeaturepost

Becoming Catherine

“Catherine’s role is so complex. She is wild, strong-willed, spirited, self-centered and in love with two men in very different ways. As Catherine, I get to dance a lot to beautiful music with my hair down. It is a dream come true be able to take on such a challenging role and become Catherine.”

Why audiences will love it

“I feel that in one way or another a lot of people can relate to this story at some point. Catherine is torn between what her mind wants and what her heart wants. She knows deep down what she should do but the pressures from society of money, fancy living and status lead her astray from the truth of her own soul and that is where the trouble begins.”

Chelsea in other works

  • charlotte-ballet-_sleeping-beauty_chelsea-dumas_photo-by-jeff-cravotta
  • 170126-peterzay585-web
  • Sasha Janes' Utopia
  • Blog_Chautauqua_James

Don’t miss Chelsea as Wuthering Heights’ Catherine Earnshaw, April 27-29. Tickets start at only $25!


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