Police union calls decision to scrap gunshot detection system 'short-sighted'

Indy Ballet dancers talk pre-show rituals and the bird that inspired their choreography

Kristin Young Toner and Chris Lingner will be in Indianapolis Ballet's debut residency of "Firebird" at Newfields.

Call it a homecoming for some dancers and a new Indianapolis chapter for others.

Indianapolis Ballet — the city's newest homegrown professional ballet company — will include both groups for its debut residency, where it will present Igor Stravinsky's "Firebird" starting Feb. 16.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at The Toby Theater at Newfields. Tickets are $25 to $35 (adults) and $20 to $30 (K-12, college, 65 and over).

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM:Here's our best deal of the year, no joke

THIS WEEKEND:Beer and ballet? Or Stravinsky served straight? Take your pick this Valentine's weekend

LIVE MUSIC:Megan Mullally and an undie-rock band join opening season in Cabaret's new home

Here's what three founding member dancers — Kristin Young Toner, Chris Lingner and Yoshiko Kamikusa — had to say in a Facebook Live preview with IndyStar before Friday's performance.

So who's playing what?

Young Toner and Kamikusa will switch off playing the Firebird, which Prince Ivan (Lingner's character) captures — and then releases. She gives him one of her magical feathers, which he later uses to fight a sorcerer and save a princess. 

After training in Indianapolis — sometimes with Lingner — Young Toner went on to the University of Oklahoma and danced with Tulsa Ballet and then Nashville Ballet in Tennessee. Lingner trained at Indiana University, danced on the national tour of Twyla Tharp's "Movin' Out" and with Cincinnati Ballet.

Kamikusa was born in Tokyo, began studying ballet in Hawaii and then moved to Vancouver to attend Goh Ballet Academy. She also dances with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

To round out the cast, Jessica Miller and Mary Ann Schaefer will take turns playing the princess, and Paul Vitali will play the sorcerer Kastchei.

On the pet that influenced some dance moves

When you watch the dancers move across the stage this weekend, you can thank artistic director Victoria Lyras' decades of dance experience — and her bird, Rudolph Valentino Nureyev. Her pet's gestures informed the way she choreographed "Firebird."

"There are elements of how to move independently and how their wings flutter that are incorporated into the movement as well," Lingner said.

Yoshiko Kamikusa and Chris Lingner will be in Indianapolis Ballet's debut residency of "Firebird" at Newfields.

Lyras constructed the production's choreography — to the 1945 version of the work — to highlight Lingner and Young Toner's strengths, Young Toner said. Lyras also programmed in the signature firebird movement from Michel Fokine's original choreography in the 1910 "Firebird" premiere by the Ballet Russes in Paris. You can spot it when Young Toner or Kamikusa strikes the pose with one arm curved above her head and the other across her abdomen.

What do you eat before you go on stage?

As it turns out, nothing too crazy. And not vegetables, either.

"I definitely do, like, a mix of protein and carbs," Kamikusa said. "I don't actually do salads before because I do feel really ... bloated."

Young Toner keeps pieces of candy — Twizzlers, gummies or Life Savers — in her dressing room for a bit of a boost. Lingner seconded the practice.

"I just go in and steal for her when she's not looking," he said.

Any weird rituals to guarantee success before a performance?

These three aren't approaching baseball players' levels of athletic superstitions.

Instead, Lingner and Kamikusa stressed consistency. Kamikusa takes a short nap and then sets herself in first position, with her heels together and toes pointed out, because she said it keeps her grounded before shows.

Young Toner has her own twist on the don't-change-your-socks ritual.

"I've heard, you know, don't change your socks for, like, however long or something. But I like to have clean tights on," Young Toner laughed. "I would guess my superstition would be keeping the same toepads because I kind of change them out. That's my sock, I guess."

"I used to put my left shoe on first every time, but I've kind of gotten over that."

Call IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339. Follow her on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram.