The Company

Loretta is a talented, ambitious dancer who quickly captures the artistic director's attention and is given more prominent roles. She balances a second job as a waitress to support herself while pursuing stardom, a choice that strains her personal life and relationships with fellow dancers. The role tests her technical skill, stage presence, and ability to endure setbacks, including a pivotal moment when she performs outside in a thunderstorm to Elvis Costello's My Funny Valentine. Her rise marks her as a rising star capable of performing under intense pressure.

Josh is a young, ambitious chef whose rising position in a restaurant mirrors Ry's ascent in ballet. The couple's relationship forms a hopeful backdrop to the season, sparked after he sees Ry perform to My Funny Valentine. He shares Ry's drive and supports her career, even as both face injuries that threaten to derail their dreams. A kitchen accident leaves him injured as well, paralleling the dancers' vulnerabilities and underscoring the theme of parallel journeys toward success.

Alberto is the warm yet demanding artistic director who steers the company through training, injuries, scheduling pressures, and creative tensions between dancers and choreographers. He recognizes Ry's talent and pushes her toward prominent roles, while managing the company's internal conflicts. His leadership is tempered by his insistence on discipline and excellence, and he helps diffuse tension through moments like the Christmas Eve roast night that lighter moments provide. He embodies the balance of mentorship and authority at the heart of the company.

Robert is the choreographer collaborating with Antonelli on Blue Snake, bringing a Hindu mythology-inspired concept to life. He has a strong, sometimes temperamental personality, driving the dancers to meet the demanding demands of the new work. His artistic vision and willingness to improvise under pressure shape the rehearsal room as much as the stage.