For Ganelle Blake, the role of Ballet Arkansas’ executive director might still feel a little new, seeing as she’s only been in the position since the beginning of the year. But as this weekend marks the dance company’s largest annual fundraiser, Turning Pointe, Blake is more excited than ever.
We sat down with Blake to talk shop about her background in the arts, what she’s most looking forward to in the season and what it’s like stepping into the world of Ballet Arkansas.
So you’ve been in this role for about three months, is that right?
Ganelle Blake: I started shadowing the exec director Karen Bassett around the time we were doing “The Nutcracker.” I had never seen that show backstage and it’s a huge beast of a show to put together, so I’m really glad I got to see that.
Then I really started working in the office around the first of January and she was there thankfully to help me go through some things for a couple of weeks.
What’s been something you’ve learned so far that has surprised you?
GB: Coming at it from the perspective of an actor or director, which I had done in theater before… Dancers, more often than not, don’t choose to stop dancing. They usually get injured, don’t make the company they want or something like that. There just aren’t enough dance opportunities, and it’s so treacherous on the body. Their ankles and their hips and their spines — it is very, very hard work physically. They put their bodies on the line every day they come to work. The retirement age is around 30 or younger.
What brought you to Ballet Arkansas?
GB: I have a friend, Sarah Richison, who I’ve been working with artistically for about 10 years. She’s a dancer from Russellville, lived in New York for about ten years, then moved to Cancun. For a semester last year, she taught at Hendrix College. While she was there, she met [artistic director] Michael Bearden, who asked her if she knew anyone with an arts background who did fundraising. As a matter of fact, she did, and here I am.
What was it about Ballet Arkansas that really pulled you in?
GB: It’s very appealing to me to be back in an arts organization. It’s definitely something that I missed when I made a choice to go into fundraising rather than pursue an arts career, but I think the thing that really pulls me the most is the move down to Main Street. I’m from Little Rock, I’ve lived downtown for most of my life. When I lived in Rogers, I remember seeing the Arkansas Times article with the plans for the Creative Corridor. I got so excited and knew I had to get back to Little Rock. I made a choice then that I needed to be involved somehow, though I had no idea then what that would look like.
How’s the Creative Corridor progress coming?
GB: It’s going well. We will be there before our spring show opens at The Rep, May 20-22.
Do you remember when you first fell in love with the performing arts?
GB: Well, first of all, my sister played Snow White in the production at Hall High School in about 1996, and I just remember being so proud of her. I was so proud! I don’t know if that counts, but then what really helped me chase it was when I was at Central High. It’s huge to try to navigate when you’re 15, but there’s something for everybody there, you just have to find out what it is. I had a communications class in 10th grade where I got extra credit for timekeeping at a speech and debate tournament. I worked a poetry round, and I saw a girl perform and thought “I can do that, that looks like fun.” That was it, I signed up for drama classes and found my niche.
What is it about that world that made you know you had to be part of the Creative Corridor movement?
GB: It’s magic. It’s the thing that you can’t put your finger on, that changes every time you see it, but is the exact same.
It’s the whole history of it. It’s the misfits, the people who don’t always fit into society, who end up together making these magical performances. The camaraderie is incredible, how hard people have to work to make these things happen.
This is also true for fundraising, but I don’t know anyone who woke up and decided “I’m going to go into theater.” It has to be in you, it is who you are. You have to love it. Everyone who sticks with it actually loves it, and I’ve found that to be true with dance. It’s what these people want to do when they wake up in the morning.
There’s also the economic development aspect of it. There isn’t a thriving place where people like to live that doesn’t have a pretty killer arts scene. It’s necessary to attract people who want to make lives here. I think the Creative Corridor will help people stay here in Arkansas, which is important to me since I made the same choice, and it will help grow the city, grow the state.
Looking at the remainder of the Ballet Arkansas season, what are you most excited about?
GB: Turning Pointe is our signature gala, and I’m really excited about it. It’s a good chance to bring the community in to see a Ballet Arkansas performance. Then our spring show “Under the Lights” (May 20-22) is partially based on the music of Johnny Cash. I saw the first run-through of it and it honestly brought me to tears. That might sound lame, I don’t know, but it was just so great! There’s a lot for everyone to see and enjoy; it’s not just ballet in a box. I’m so proud of our company, and I want to show them off to everybody, and those are my next best opportunities to do so.
Click here for more information on Turning Pointe.
Lightning Round:
Do you have any hobbies?
I really like to read.
What books are on your nightstand?
“The Queen of the Night” by Alexander Chee and my Bible
Netflix binge show of choice?
“House of Cards”
Favorite dish in Little Rock?
Chicken picatta at Bruno’s Little Italy