Kennedy Ditzhazy | Season in Review

One of our Ballet 5:8 traditions at the end of each performance season is to ask the artists of the company to share some reflections with us. Getting to know the dancers and hearing about their journey is always a treat, and this year is no exception - even in a year turned upside down by a national pandemic! A special thank you to the artists of the company for sharing about their experiences in the 2019/20 Season.

Congratulations to Ballet 5:8 Company Apprentice Kennedy Ditzhazy, who was promoted to Company Artist at the conclusion of the 2019/20 Season.

Kennedy Ditzhazy, Company Artist

Q. Pick one word to describe the overall season. Why?

A. Abundant!

Q. Can you share a favorite moment from on or offstage?

A. It's difficult to choose just one moment! One of my favorite and most memorable moments was the very last day of the season in the studio, cut short due to the pandemic. We were all working hard and quickly to produce quality work in filming Butterfly for a future live streaming. One of the last scenes shot was Jessica's Helga solo, which is chalked full of raw emotion. I remember sitting at the front of the studio, watching her perform that scene with everything she had. The room was heavy and somber, since we all knew we had just been through a lot, and would certainly go through much harder challenges. Sure enough, within the next hour, we were notified that that afternoon was our last day in the studio until further notice due to COVID-19. The fact that we were able to crank out two full length ballets for filming within a few hours is an accomplishment I can only credit to the Holy Spirit.

Q. Of course choosing this is probably going to be hard, but out of the works you performed this season, does one stand out as the most meaningful or most notable for you personally? Why?

A. Butterfly was definitely the most meaningful work I performed last season. Being able to stand in the wings during each show, and witness each dancer give EVERYTHING they had emotionally and physically is a memory I'll never forget. It was evident that God moved powerfully through each show, and I'm so blessed to have been able to be a part of His plan.

Q. Is there a particular quote or idea that has been inspirational to you this season?

A. "Jesus, I trust in You."

Q. What room did you dance in during quarantine?

A.  I was fortunate to have spent the quarantine with my family back in Ohio. Thankfully they have a fitness room in their house, which worked perfectly!

Q. What are you up to this summer?

A. This summer, I'm keeping up with dance classes, being intentional about spiritual reading, and catching up with family and friends.