🩰Orlando Ballet ends season with ‘technically challenging’ Giselle

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Ballet is closing out the 2024-2025 season with one of the oldest classical ballets, but this one is also the most challenging.

The Orlando Ballet gave News 6 an Insider look at rehearsals for their upcoming performance of Giselle.

“It’s a beautiful, tragic love story. It has some of the most difficult technical dancing in Act II. There are sections where there are 21 women all dancing in unison together at the same time. You think of that kind of synchronicity when you look at Riverdance or the Rockettes,” said Artistic Director Jorden Morris.

[Get a behind-the-scenes look at the production of Giselle]

“The precision, the clarity of movement. There’s a lot of jumping. The men are also really challenged through partnering. They have to hold the dancers above their head,” said Associate Artistic Director Lisa Thorn-Morris.

It’s one of the most complex and demanding ballets, but you wouldn’t know it. Dancers like Cameron Bailey make it look easy.

“As dancers, we are pushing our bodies almost past their limitations sometimes,” said Bailey.

Orlando Health gives dancers like Cameron peace of mind. Not just treating injuries, but offering proactive health care, keeping them strong, healthy, and on their toes.

“They provide massages, provide soft tissue work, and dry needling. A number of ways they can help reduce inflammation and muscle soreness,” said Bailey.

“They have a volunteer team that contributes to helping our dancers on a daily basis. We have a physical therapy team in daily to work with the dancers if they have an injury,” said Lisa.

There’s even a physician on site at the theater during performances to quickly respond to any injuries.

As the season comes to a close, the Orlando Ballet is looking forward to it’s Giselle performances with some new choreography and set pieces, as well as live music performed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Orlando Ballet presents Giselle at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in downtown Orlando May 1-4, 2025. Click HERE to purchase tickets.

The Orlando Ballet is looking forward to next season starting in the Fall with Swan Lake. More information on the 2025-2026 season will be posted on the ballet’s website soon.