WINNIPEG — Spring is around the corner and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet staff hope their tutus will bloom in time.
With the return of the classic ballet Swan Lake set to go Wednesday night, Canada’s oldest ballet company has launched a fundraising campaign — Tutus in Bloom.
The RWB wants to replace 28 tutus that were designed and built 25 years ago. The 28 tutus are no longer usable for performances. Donations will allow the company to add new life to its costume collection.
“The new one keeps shape and the old one doesn’t have shape anymore,” Wardrobe Director Alena Zharska explained Tuesday.
Each tutu used by the dancers is hand made, built layer by layer and hand sewn. One tutu takes about 50 to 60 hours to make, and they are built to last 20 to 25 years. Each one costs $1,800 to $2,000.
” Layer by layer and you tuck it with strong threads, all stitches by hand and we use a long needle to put in all 11 layers,” Zharska said.
The Tutus in Bloom campaign has a goal of $60,000. To date, $24,500 has been raised, which will pay for 12 tutus.
“We are so proud of our work of course because we put lots of energy and skill into this work,” Zharska explained.
In the leadup to Wednesday’s opening of Swan Lake, ballet dancers from around the world used social media to share their favorite tutu photos.
Ballerina Yayoi Ban who will be the lead Thursday and Saturday explains how dancing in a tutu elevates every performance
“Dancing in a tutu? I feel like a real ballerina, because a tutu is made for a ballerina,” Ban told Global News Wednesday.
Swan Lake will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m.
PHOTOS: Royal Winnipeg Ballet tutus
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