The Swan Princess opens this weekend at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, bringing Atlanta Ballet's signature excellence to a one-hour family-friendly adaptation of Swan Lake. And for Atlanta Ballet 2 dancers, this performance is a culmination of intensive training and countless rehearsals.

Even without dialogue to memorize, ballet still demands meticulous preparation for roles, translating emotion through precise movement and clear body language. “Strength, technique, and stamina are of utmost importance at every angle” says Camille Margaret Jackson on preparing for the role of Princess Odette.

Atlanta Ballet 2 dancers have immersed themselves in the story of Swan Lake, the ballet that The Swan Princess is based on. From researching famous ballet dancers who have taken these roles to strength training, read how Atlanta Ballet 2 dancers have combined research, technique, and expressive movement to bring these beloved roles to life.

Rachel Zinman

“I’ve been studying the mannerisms and the swan-like arm techniques from videos of principals that have danced Swan Lake. As well as working closely with my teachers and trying to apply their corrections on how to express and convey the story to the audience.”

Camille Jackson

“Although The Swan Princess is a different adaptation of the original Swan Lake by Petipa and Ivanov, it’s Swan Lake nevertheless. So many of the great ballerinas, many of which I aspire to be like, have taken on the roles with finesse. I’m excited to take on the role and explore the character of Odette even more. It’s not an easy ballet or character to dance in any context. So I hope to dance the ballet well and take care of the role even better. Swan Lake is infamous for many things, one of the things is the port de bras, in other words: the arms. I’m currently working hard to understand how to portray such a magnificent bird as the swan. I’ve been doing a bit of extra work for my arms and upper body for strength and stamina. I’ve also been researching some of those great ballerinas, like Maya Plisetskaya, Ulyana Lopatkina, and Anna Pavlova (The Dying Swan).”

Emanuel Talongo

“In order to prepare for the role of Prince Siegfried I wanted to convey, to the best of my ability, the intention of the character and what drives him. Artistic ability was my biggest focus when training in this role so that I could both understand the ‘why’ to the decisions Siegfried made and share this perspective with the audience so that they could feel as if they were a part of the story.”

Emily McAllister

“Both princess Odette and Odile are quite technical and stamina-intensive roles. As such, I am greatly prioritizing physical conditioning, stretching, and recovery alongside my rehearsals. I find that strengthening routines, rolling out, and icing outside of the studio is imperative to setting my mind and body up for success in rehearsals.”

Stacey Johnson

“I like to watch other dancers who had the chance to do this production before and get inspiration from them, but also to have my own time in the studio after rehearsal so I get to be alone and listen to the music. Going over choreography helps me see what I really want to interpret in every moment that my character is on stage.”

Eliza Soto

“Transforming into the “White Swan” has been such an exciting experience. As many dancers do, I’ve been studying iconic ballerinas as they perform Odette. I’m a visual learner, and taking inspiration from ballet icons has been vital for me.”

Claire Buchi

“Between the many rehearsals and run-throughs with Atlanta Ballet 2, I've been watching clips of Maya Plisetskaya and Marianela Núñez on YouTube. They both portray Odette so beautifully and are ethereal inspirations of mine. “

Share the magic of ballet with your family and see the next generation of dancers take flight in The Swan Princess February 15-16, 2025.

Please note that casting is subject to change.

And the fun doesn’t end after curtains close! A royally good time awaits as the beloved family teatime tradition returns for Swan Princess on February 16.