The program for the Iowa City performance of “Whipped Cream”.
American Ballet Theatre, a world famous ballet company, performed “Whipped Cream” at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City, Iowa on April 6.
Based in New York City, American Ballet Theatre, ABT, is considered one of the world’s best dance companies since its founding in 1939. With annual tours across the United States, it is one of few dance companies that engages with a large amount of people around the country.
This year on their tour, ABT came to Iowa City to perform the ballet “Whipped Cream.” The ballet, which premiered in 2017, is about a young boy who indulges in too much whipped cream and dreams about sweet treats that come to life.
From characters like Princess Tea Flower to marching Marzipan, this ballet has incorporated sweets as well as princes and princesses, making “Whipped Cream” enjoyable for all ages.
Before their performance in Iowa City, ABT held auditions in Iowa for background characters to perform with them at Hancher. PV senior Haley Zelmer was one of over 30 people to audition. Through this audition, Zelmer landed the role as one of the two Wedding Cakes.
Zelmer, who has been dancing for 15 years, is currently a student at Ballet Quad Cities. By being able to perform with ABT, Zelmer believes she has broadened her dance skill set. “I felt this [experience] has helped me grow as a dancer because it allowed me visualize what my goal is in the future, which is to become a professional ballet dancer,” she said.
Being able to share a stage with world famous dancers was an opportunity Zelmer said she will never forget. “The biggest takeaway from this is just getting to experience what a professional ballet company is like,” she said. “ABT has inspired me to work even harder [as a dancer].”
“Whipped Cream” not only inspired dancers who performed with ABT but also inspired many other dancers who came to watch.
Freshman Corrine Johnson saw “Whipped Cream” with some of the dancers from her studio. She spoke of how impactful it was to see a world famous ballet company perform. “Seeing such big ballet companies like ABT is so inspiring because it pushes me as a dancer,” Johnson said.
Johnson was also grateful for a performance close to her home. “Having the opportunity to see such a prominent company like ABT so close to home made it easier to attend, which was super nice,”she said.
This sweeter than cream experience provided a learning opportunity as well as being an inspiration for many dancers and viewers of all ages.
