Full circle: Principal Ballerina returns home for lead role in Sleeping Beauty
MILWAUKEE (CBS58) -- From ballet slippers to pointe shoes, after a successful international career, one principal ballerina has come back to her hometown to be the lead of the Milwaukee Ballet's production of Sleeping Beauty.
Despite the arabesques and pirouettes, Jennifer Hackbarth is tired.
"It’s such a joy to play her. She's such a fun character," said Hackbarth.
Well, maybe not tired, but she is Sleeping Beauty.
"It’s very technically challenging, so I’m learning a lot about my technique as a ballerina," said Hackbarth.
More specifically, she is Aurora in the Milwaukee Ballet's production of Sleeping Beauty.
"As soon as she is on the stage or in the studio to do a full run of a solo or a ballet, she's there to perform and afraid of nothing," explained Mireille Favarel, Milwaukee Ballet teacher.
"I try to be very natural, and in the moment, I find my Aurora; she's quite happy," said Hackbarth.
She isn't just lacing up her pointe shoes for herself; she's dancing for the legacy that shaped her.
"It's such a special place to be and to be at the time of my life that I can come back and share everything and all my experiences," said Hackbarth.
Hackbarth grew up at the Milwaukee Ballet.
"I call her my ballet mom," said Hackbarth.
She was raised by dance veteran Mireille Favarel.
"After 13 years of working one-on-one together, she's like my ballet daughter," said Favarel.
"She's been there through everything in my career by my side," said Hackbarth.
Staying by her side, Favarel is preparing her for one of the most challenging lead roles.
"This is really amazing that she's coming back now and that I'm able to coach her in an amazing role that is Sleeping Beauty. It is probably the hardest or one of the two hardest roles in classical ballet," Favarel explained.
While this is not the first time, it will be one of the last, as Favarel is retiring at the end of the season.
"She was my private coach throughout my whole childhood," said Hackbarth.
"She just had this 'I want to get there,' she had a goal," said Favarel.