In 1978, the Houston Ballet was coming to Purdue to perform Swan Lake as part of its 10th anniversary season.
In anticipation of the performance, the ballet company had contacted Wayne Lamb, who taught a variety of dance classes through Purdue’s Department of Theatre. They discussed using a few of his students as “supers” in the upcoming performance.
A super is someone who is superimposed on an already set performance and is used to fill out the number of folks on stage.
As I recall, the ballet company had requested two or three male supers. I may have been the only girl who was available, or possibly they only requested one female super.
Nevertheless, it was short notice, and I felt very lucky and happy to be able to participate in any way. As a busy college student, for once I did not have other plans the evening Swan Lake was to be performed because I already had a ticket.
For our supering duty, we were to bring tights and shoes and arrive at the Elliott Hall of Music dressing rooms about an hour before the performance. Having worked with Wayne Lamb, we dancers were good at following directions. Aside from his innate grace, I always thought the fact that Professor Lamb had served as a sergeant in World War II made him especially good at giving directions to his dance students!
In the women’s dressing room, the company’s dancers were busy putting on costumes, tights, makeup, and shoes. Someone presented me with the most beautiful and regal lavender-colored satiny ball gown and headpiece I had ever seen.
My direction was for the opening throne room scene with the king and queen and their courtiers. I was to clasp my hands together, walk behind the queen, and stand next to her when she sat down on her throne.
From my place on stage next to the queen, I saw amazing dancing as the prince and company danced for the king and queen. My male student counterparts were not far from me. They had equally elaborate costumes, and, as I recall, they carried brightly colored banners.
A super is someone who is superimposed on an already set performance and is used to fill out the number of folks on stage.
As I recall, the ballet company had requested two or three male supers. I may have been the only girl who was available, or possibly they only requested one female super.
Nevertheless, it was short notice, and I felt very lucky and happy to be able to participate in any way. As a busy college student, for once I did not have other plans the evening Swan Lake was to be performed because I already had a ticket.
For our supering duty, we were to bring tights and shoes and arrive at the Elliott Hall of Music dressing rooms about an hour before the performance. Having worked with Wayne Lamb, we dancers were good at following directions. Aside from his innate grace, I always thought the fact that Professor Lamb had served as a sergeant in World War II made him especially good at giving directions to his dance students!
In the women’s dressing room, the company’s dancers were busy putting on costumes, tights, makeup, and shoes. Someone presented me with the most beautiful and regal lavender-colored satiny ball gown and headpiece I had ever seen.
My direction was for the opening throne room scene with the king and queen and their courtiers. I was to clasp my hands together, walk behind the queen, and stand next to her when she sat down on her throne.
From my place on stage next to the queen, I saw amazing dancing as the prince and company danced for the king and queen. My male student counterparts were not far from me. They had equally elaborate costumes, and, as I recall, they carried brightly colored banners.
We were so close to the dancers that I could hear their breathing as they danced.
When they paused for applause, I could see beads of perspiration running across their faces and falling to the floor.
I had seen a few professional ballets performed in Chicago, but I had never before been close enough to realize how hard the dancers were breathing.
After wonderful applause for the dancers, the queen got up, and I dutifully followed her off the stage. I had completed my part, and I had a whole new respect for how much serious athleticism goes into a ballet performance.
After I returned my costume, I was able to watch a little more of the ballet by staying out of the way backstage. I didn’t want to miss even a moment of it. At intermission, I had time to get around the building and join the rest of the audience seated in the auditorium. It was indeed food for the soul.
Even as the dancers took their final bows, I was still glowing from the excitement of seeing so much strength and beauty unfold in such an ethereal way to Tchaikovsky’s music.
Last fall, a good friend and I came to West Lafayette to see the dedication of the inspiring Degas Collection at Purdue. We were in awe! The dancers in the Degas sculptures are remarkable representations of beauty and grace, but I have no doubt they were also hearty athletes.
My friend and I both took dance classes from our dear departed Wayne Lamb when we were students in the ’70s. I think Professor Lamb would be proud to know Purdue has such a fine collection to inspire students, whether or not they are dancers.
Betsy Turner retired from practicing law in New York in 2022 and returned to Nashville, Tennessee, where she is a member of the Relevé Society, helping support Nashville Ballet. She also serves on the board of directors for the Nashville Shakespeare Festival.
Images courtesy of Houston Ballet and the New York Public Library.
Do you have a favorite memory from Purdue? Let us know at alumnus@purdueforlife.org.
I had seen a few professional ballets performed in Chicago, but I had never before been close enough to realize how hard the dancers were breathing.
After wonderful applause for the dancers, the queen got up, and I dutifully followed her off the stage. I had completed my part, and I had a whole new respect for how much serious athleticism goes into a ballet performance.
After I returned my costume, I was able to watch a little more of the ballet by staying out of the way backstage. I didn’t want to miss even a moment of it. At intermission, I had time to get around the building and join the rest of the audience seated in the auditorium. It was indeed food for the soul.
Even as the dancers took their final bows, I was still glowing from the excitement of seeing so much strength and beauty unfold in such an ethereal way to Tchaikovsky’s music.
Last fall, a good friend and I came to West Lafayette to see the dedication of the inspiring Degas Collection at Purdue. We were in awe! The dancers in the Degas sculptures are remarkable representations of beauty and grace, but I have no doubt they were also hearty athletes.
My friend and I both took dance classes from our dear departed Wayne Lamb when we were students in the ’70s. I think Professor Lamb would be proud to know Purdue has such a fine collection to inspire students, whether or not they are dancers.
Betsy Turner retired from practicing law in New York in 2022 and returned to Nashville, Tennessee, where she is a member of the Relevé Society, helping support Nashville Ballet. She also serves on the board of directors for the Nashville Shakespeare Festival.
Images courtesy of Houston Ballet and the New York Public Library.
Do you have a favorite memory from Purdue? Let us know at alumnus@purdueforlife.org.
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