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Multinational cast of RBTheater brings Swan Lake to Abilene

RBTheater features a multinational cast, which they have highlighted on this tour.
courtesy of RBTheater
RBTheater features a multinational cast, which producers have highlighted on this tour.

As Russia began to mass tanks and troops along the Ukrainian border, the Russian Ballet Theater was just beginning a U.S. tour performing Swan Lake. By February 23rd, as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepared to begin his “special military operation” in eastern Ukraine, the ballet company took to social media, proclaiming that the troupe dances for peace-and highlighting the multinational makeup of the cast.

Since the incursion began, the Russian Ballet Theater temporarily changed its name to RBTheater. Meanwhile politicians and pundits have pushed for sanctions and boycotts of Russian products.

RBTheater will perform Swan Lake at the Abilene Convention Center on March 20. A few local individuals have spoken out against the performance, prompting an op-ed supportive of the ballet in the Abilene Reporter News, and an official statement of support from City Manager Robert Hannah.

We spoke with RBTheater producer Gulya Hartwick.

Heather Claborn joined KACU as news director in January 2018. She oversees daily newscast and feature reporting and works with KACU’s news anchors to develop newscasts. She also conducts two-way interviews, reports for newscast and feature stories and maintains the station’s social media and website content. In 2020, Claborn helped staff develop the daily newsletter that is delivered by email.