Cody Beaton has an incredibly physically demanding job that she’s been doing for 14 years. Defying any stereotype of a grizzled veteran, though, she laughs easily and is downright jubilant when she talks about the work. “I still feel really good about what I’m doing and about how I’m dancing,” she says.
Beaton has been a company dancer with Richmond Ballet since 2007, performing in marquee roles like Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet” and Odile in “Swan Lake” over her distinguished career. Even though she feels perfectly able to carry on, she acknowledges it’s harder to adapt to changes.
“There’s not a single person in the company who was here when I got here,” Beaton says. “There’s a lot of young people now with fresh perspectives on things, which is nice.
“But even when someone has a great idea, you’re like, ‘ugh, but it’s going to be different,’” she laughs.
Beaton is one of three dancers who will be retiring after Richmond Ballet’s “Studio Three” series of performances. The other two are Sabrina Sabino, a veteran like Beaton who started in Richmond in 2012, and Christian Renforth who grew up in Richmond but only just joined the company last year.
“There are a lot of mixed feelings,” says Ma Cong, the associate artistic director at Richmond Ballet, who will be taking over as artistic director in July. “I’ve known Cody and Sabrina as artists and as friends for a long time; we were together when the company toured China [in 2015].
“I would love to have them dance for a few more years because I think they are mature artists and still on the rise both physically and artistically,” he says. “But I completely understand that they have other life goals.”
For Beaton and Sabino, who both have toddlers at home, the decision to retire involved making family a higher priority
“In order to stay at the top of your game, ballet does kind of consume your life,” says Sabino. “I’ve loved it and everyone here makes it 100% worth it. But when things start to pull you in other directions, you have to listen to that.”
Sabino had danced with the Washington Ballet and attended educational programs in Canada and Germany before coming to Richmond. But both Sabino and Beaton say Richmond is home now.
“I love it here,” says Sabino. “So much has developed and changed in Richmond over the years and I feel like I’ve grown with the city, you know?”
The “Studio Three” show will give Beaton a chance to perform in a favorite of hers, “Mozartiana,” the last major work by choreographer George Balanchine, that she appeared in when the ballet staged it in 2014.
“I did it with my husband last time,” says Beaton, referring to Trevor Davis who retired from the company in 2021. “So it’s really special.”
As a counterpoint to “Mozartiana,” Ma has choreographed a new work that will make its world premiere. “Knowing that the Balanchine is neo-classical and is going to have a lot of pointe work, I wanted to create something that is completely the opposite,” he says.
“I’ve created something that’s fun, that’s very much a folk dance combined with ballet technique and contemporary movement.”
As he searched around for an appropriate title, he found himself reflecting on “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” “I kept going back to that because of the energy of the movie,” he says.
He decided to call his new work, “Opa!” the Greek expression of excitement and surprise. “I think it will register with people right away what this is about,” he says. “I just imagine a beach in summer in Greece with the blue water and people dancing in celebration.”
Though tinged with sadness, there is a lot of excitement about the upcoming performances, particularly for devoted fans of the retiring dancers.
“My mom told me she’s not coming to every show but she is coming to seven of the eight,” Beaton laughs. “It’s funny that I’m a mom now, but my mom can still embarrass me.”
“Studio Three” performances will run from May 7 to 12 at Richmond Ballet’s Studio Theatre, 407 East Canal Street. Tickets and information available at https://richmondballet.com/.
