Competition through the eyes of the participants: Finalist Vladislav Bashmakov on the Bolshoi Theatre, Stage Experience, and Strength of Character

Vladislav Bashmakov shared his impressions of the XV International Ballet Competition, his preparation for performing, the nerves before going on stage, and what helps an artist maintain confidence in performance.

What does participating in the International Ballet Competition on the legendary stage of the Bolshoi Theatre mean to you? What does it mean on a deeper level, beyond simply the art of performance?

It is a test of myself. A very serious test of myself. A test of my nerves, a test of my stability. Stability not simply as an artist — whether I can execute a clean pirouette — but stability as a person: not to lose myself, not to become confused, not to be afraid, to preserve the character. Yes, it is a major test of myself.

In the first round, strength, precision, and concentration are especially important. After advancing to the second round, what do you focus on most? Do the sensations change from the first round to the second?

Absolutely not. Every round is significant; every appearance on stage carries great weight. The focus does not shift. The focus is not on some kind of precision, not on some kind of technique. The focus is on the desire to convey the dance.

Do you feel that you managed to convey your character?

Today — yes. Today it seemed that yes, I did. I managed to relax a little more after the first round. We had already felt the stage, danced on it several times, and it became a little calmer.

How do you find the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre, considering that it is raked? Is there a difference?

My partner and I came from the Mikhailovsky Theatre, so our raked stage is also, so to speak, represented in full measure. For us, on the contrary, it even feels more pleasant. For other participants who come from other countries, where the floor is mostly flat, this is another challenge. But for us it is a kind of luxury — we really enjoy it.

Is there a role or variation that you currently feel especially close to and would like to dance in the future?

Yes, I would dream of dancing the Prince in The Nutcracker and The Flames of Paris.

In whose version?

That is a very tricky question. In all of them. I love the music, so I simply want to dance. In Tchaikovsky’s version.

How do you deal with nerves before going on stage? Not necessarily within the context of the competition, but in general: do you have any special rituals or thoughts that help you prepare yourself?

Yes, at one point my mother taught me a very useful breathing technique. I will not tell you about it — it is my mother’s secret. Olympic athletes also use it, so it is quite a well-known thing. It helps to even out the breathing and the state of mind as much as possible.

But at this competition I also discovered something else: before this, I was used to working alone, solo. This is my first competition as part of a pair.

Really?

And my partner is only 18 at the moment. She is competing in the junior category. So at this competition I feel responsible not only for myself, but also for her. I would even say, more for her than for myself. Like an older brother, in a way.

And because I am thinking about her before we begin, I manage to forget about myself. Then we go out on stage, the dance begins — and there is a click. There is no longer any time to think about nerves. Eva is doing wonderfully.

I really like your partnership — it is very harmonious. What is the most valuable thing for you about taking part in the competition? Is there a difference between this competition and others?

An immeasurable exchange of experience. Experience with other participants who come from different places, and each of them has something to tell: their own story on stage, even without saying it in words.

And an exchange of experience with the teachers who come here. There is a great deal of social interaction; an enormous exchange is taking place. You meet a huge number of people you do not know. You start talking to a teacher from an academy, and they tell you something about your own teacher. All of this is very interesting — to discover it and to share it with one another.

Wonderful. I wish you the very best of luck.

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Journalist Nina Teseyko

Photo Tina Berezhnaya, press department of the competition