Ballet West's prima ballerina retires at 34


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SALT LAKE CITY — Ballet West's prima ballerina, Christiana Bennett, has taken off her toe shoes for the last time — retiring at the young age of 34.

"There is something about being on stage that is absolutely liberating. And all the hard work, and all the practice and the tears and the blisters and the unpleasant side vanishes and you get to be free and open up your heart to the audience," Bennett said.

Each move exudes grace and strength.

Bennett has enthralled audiences for 16 years, performing every major role in classical ballet.

Her determination to dance began when she was 2 years old as she watched "The Nutcracker" on TV.

"I was on my tip toes and for the rest of the day, and pretty much for the rest of my life, I remember announcing to my parents at dinner that I was going to be a ballerina!"

Even as a child, for Bennett, it was never about having fun, it was about creating beauty.

"There was always this unbreakable determination that I was going to try my hardest and get as far as I could," Bennett said.

But she stopped after an ankle joint injury in high school. She let go of dance, became involved in student government and pursued her studies until a dance teacher suggested she return to ballet the summer after graduation.

The passion returned.

Bennett received experimental surgery on her ankle a few years later.

Doctors told her that she would walk with a limp for the rest of her life, and that she wouldn’t be able to dance.

“Every anniversary of my surgery, I go out and buy myself a pair of ridiculously high heels!” Bennett laughingly admitted.

Ballet West's prima ballerina, Christiana Bennett, has taken off her toe shoes for the last time — retiring at the young age of 34. (KSL-TV)
Ballet West's prima ballerina, Christiana Bennett, has taken off her toe shoes for the last time — retiring at the young age of 34. (KSL-TV)

'Breaking Pointe' reality show

For decades, Ballet West has been well-respected in the dance world.

But in 2012 and 2013, the company grabbed world attention in "Breaking Pointe," a reality show on the CW network, produced by BBC Worldwide.

It brought behind-the-scenes drama but ticket sales increased and invitations to tour were extended. Bennett was one of the featured dancers.

"It also, I think, opened us up to our own community. We were a little bit more human. They got to see the good, the bad and the ugly."

In season two, audiences watched the breakup of her marriage to fellow dancer Christopher Ruud. One of the show's producers warned her not to watch.

"At that point, I felt that all of my work and all my sacrifice was for naught. Because my story was no longer going to be told and it was going to be this tumultuous, ugly thing that was not only very painful but inaccurate," Bennett said.

But such is reality TV.

But in the real world of Ballet West, Bennett and Ruud remained professional colleagues, and danced in the same piece for her final production, the world premiere of "Façade."

Whatever the role, she is the center of attention as the company's prima ballerina.

A prima ballerina means that she is the first dancer. But to Bennett, it also means striving for perfection here in the studio, on stage and throughout the community.

Photo credit: KSL-TV

“More than an ambassador for your art form. You have to embody ballet," Bennett said. The Capitol Theatre studio is where Bennett said "she grew up." She remembers the warm greeting she received the first time she stepped in for a class.

“I knew I was joining a family, not just a company.”

Her thoughts turned to rehearsals — the struggles, the frustrations.

“So many things have happened in this room, triumph, failure, extreme joy. These four walls kept it all in,” Bennett said.

As she rose through the company from basic corps artist to soloist to principal dancer, she became a role model and mentor to many.

Jenna Herrera has just been promoted from the corps de ballet to a demi-soloist and has always had the greatest admiration for Bennett.

"Class, elegance, professionalism — it's just something I've always admired about her and always have strived for. She is the perfect example of a prima ballerina."

In 2012 and 2013, the company grabbed world attention in "Breaking Pointe," a reality show on the CW network, produced by BBC Worldwide. (KSL-TV)
In 2012 and 2013, the company grabbed world attention in "Breaking Pointe," a reality show on the CW network, produced by BBC Worldwide. (KSL-TV)

While performing "Swan Lake" this year, Bennett made the decision to retire. She realized that she has done it all.

Adam Sklute, Ballet West’s artistic director, was surprised by her decision but understands how important it was that retirement was her choice.

"Christiana has left an incredible legacy. She is going out, in my opinion, at the top of her game. It’s a very personal decision for every artist. And she made her decision for personal reasons. She is dancing at her best. And isn’t that exciting for us as an audience to be able to say goodbye to her and miss her.”

He recognized it years ago and audiences have seen it — moments in time when the right person steps into the spotlight and with talent and artistry epitomizes an art form.

"I got to do and dance and see amazing things and places and work with beautiful and wonderful and inspiring people that my cup is full, my cup runneth over! So, it's time, it's time to move on," Bennett said.

And as she entered the stage for the final time, the applause thundered and the cheers rose.

"I am blessed and that is not a word I like to throw around lightly. I am blessed."

More than 1.3 million people have watched Bennett perform over the last 16 years but that does not include audiences on tour or on television. She now has a job with Culinary Crafts as an event planner.

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