Woodside artist's ballet to premier at Foothill Woodside artist's ballet to premier at Foothill (April 30, 2003)

Open audition set for May 5.

By Sharon Driscoll
Almanac Staff Writer

The idea for Woodside artist Leah Lubin's new ballet started with a painting she began two years ago. Working in a studio in Redwood City, she painted something close to her heart: dancers.

A student of ballet since childhood, she took her canvas out of the painting studio and into the dance studio for more inspiration. She enrolled in Foothill College's dance program and started dancing again. She also sketched the dancers when she could. And painted them.

But Leah saw a lack of new classical ballets -- and few that portrayed characters relevant to modern life.

So she composed her own. After collaborating with choreographer Barbara Shewfelt, Foothill College's dance director, this new ballet called "An Artist's Dilemma and Compromise" was born.

Set in modern times, the story is about an unfulfilled artist who discovers ballet and is inspired by the dance. Accustomed to working with models, he tries to paint them motionless -- but the dancers are unable to keep still. Eventually he realizes his own style must adapt to his subject.

While some of the roles are already filled -- including Ms. Shewfelt in the lead -- many roles still need to be cast, including several for children.

Dancers of all levels are encouraged to attend open auditions for the ballet's October premier on Monday, May 5, from 1 to 3 p.m. in Room 2506 of Building 2500 at Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road in Los Altos Hills.

The ballet will be set to original music, composed by New York-based Joel Diamond. San Francisco-based artist Larnie Fox, who is also the children's program director at the Palo Alto Art Center, will provide some set paintings used in the ballet. Leah's own paintings will also be used.

Leah's son and Oscar nominated documentary filmmaker Daniel Raim will film the auditions as part of a documentary.

The ballet will premier on October 25 at Foothill College's Robert Smithwick Theater.

For more information, see Leah's Web site: http://leah_lubin.home.att.net/