Fayeth Hartman may only be a teenager but she already has studied for 13 years at Indiana Ballet Theatre, which has locations in Merrillville, DeMotte and Valparaiso.
After performing smaller roles in previous productions of “Sleeping Beauty,” she is dancing as Princess Aurora aka the title character from April 29-30 at Main Stage Theatre at Indiana University Northwest in Gary.
“It’s really magical. Aurora was always one of my dream roles,” said Fayeth Hartman of DeMotte.
“I saw professional ballet companies doing ‘The Sleeping Beauty.’ I always really wanted to do it. Aurora and I are both 16, young and trying to figure everything out. I love the role. Just to be cast was truly an honor. I’m happy that all my teachers have faith in me that I’d be able to do it.”
In addition to rehearsing with the cast on Saturdays and Sundays, Fayeth Hartman also has been meeting with her ballet teacher Amanda Tuohy, who is also associate artistic director of Indiana Ballet Theatre, most mornings for one-on-one work.
“Every day I have to practice. My acting’s the one thing I’m really trying to work on so everyone in the audience is moved by the performance and can relate to it,” Fayeth Hartman said.
Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the ballet is based on the fairy tale “The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood,” which was adapted and published by Charles Perrault in 1697.
Indiana Ballet Theatre describes “Sleeping Beauty” as “the story of the malevolent Fairy Carabosse’s curse on Princess Aurora to 100 years’ slumber by a single prick of her finger on her 16th birthday. Doomed by fate, only a Prince’s sweet kiss can break the spell and awaken the sleeping beauty.”
“People really love a good fairy tale because stuff like this doesn’t happen in real life. The way it’s told through the ballet is just so beautiful to watch. I once saw it when I was young. Ballet West did it. I was like, ‘I want to go back and see it again,'” Fayeth Hartman said.
The experience of seeing Salt Lake City-based Ballet West’s touring production of the show in 2013 at Auditorium Theatre in Chicago stuck with her.
Fayeth Hartman’s previous roles in Indiana Ballet Theatre’s productions of “Sleeping Beauty” were in 2011 as Spring Petal and Veil Holder, in 2016 as Woodland Pixie and Flower Maiden and in 2019 as Sapphire Fairy, which she said “is a good role. I was surprised I got it when I was so young.”
“I think growing up watching ‘Sleeping Beauty’ really helped me prepare. Seeing all the past Auroras and they were all so beautiful, I wanted to look like them so growing up in the studio watching all those girls really helped me. I received tips from quite a few of the girls who can help me,” Fayeth Hartman said.
Another big role was dancing as Sugar Plum Fairy in Indiana Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” in December at Indiana University Northwest and Hoosier Theatre in Whiting after being in the production annually since 2009.
Fayeth Hartman’s family has been involved with Indiana Ballet Theatre for years with her mother, Michelle Hartman, serving as development manager for her entire life.
“I have three older siblings. They all did ballet. Being the youngest sibling, I wanted to do it and be the best I can be at it. Then around 8 years old I started getting more serious about it,” Fayeth Hartman said.
Her brother, Gabriel Hartman, studied at Indiana Ballet Theatre before joining Milwaukee Ballet II while his twin, Lindsay Hartman, trained to be a professional dancer and has taught younger students full time at Indiana Ballet Theatre since approximately 2019.
Fayeth Hartman’s sister Hannah Hartman also does ballet and is dancing as a Lilac Blossom in “Sleeping Beauty,” which also includes a sold-out performance for school field trips at 10 a.m. April 29 and a noon April 29 show reserved for home-school, school and assisted living field trips.
“It’s very amazing that other home-schoolers can come and see this girl who is home-schooled and relate to me,” Fayeth Hartman said.
“My goal is to become a professional ballerina no matter where it is. Spending the rest of my life doing what I love would be the ultimate goal.”
‘Sleeping Beauty’
When: 7 p.m. April 29; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. April 30
Where: Main Stage Theatre at Indiana University Northwest, Arts & Sciences Building, 3401 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Gary
Tickets: $18-$24
Information: 219-755-4444; ibtnw.org/events
Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer reporter for the Post-Tribune.
