Latin rhythm inspires the creation of Ballet Latino de San Antonio

Mayra Worthen is no stranger to the ballet world.

For more than a quarter of a century Worthen led Ballet San Antonio, a company she founded and served as artistic director. However, for years the Puerto Rico native had been thinking about expanding the boundaries of ballet into a relatively uncharted and new territory.

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“I had an idea for a very long time to create a company that had a mission statement to not only to collaborate and educate but entertain and celebrate our Latin culture,” Worthen said. “I think that classical ballet presented with a little bit of spice and a different flavor just becomes more interesting, even for those people who never come see theater or never saw a ballet.”

Finally last year Worthen made the move, leaving Ballet San Antonio for her newly created Ballet Latino de San Antonio, a neoclassical company featuring classically-trained dancers – from Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Italy and the United States – performing to Latin rhythms such as salsa, merengue and tango.

Adding Latin rhythm to ballet

After spending the last 12 months introducing the company to the community with outreach, outdoor and studio performances, Ballet Latino de San Antonio made its theatrical debut last weekend.

“We’re very unique because there’s only one other company that does what we do and that’s [Ballet Hispanico] in New York City,” Worthen said. “Most companies focus on the classics and neoclassical works. We focus on the Latin and Hispanic heritage, so our dancers are classically trained but also they can move with the Latin rhythms.”

Ballet Latino de San Antonio is the brainchild of founder Mayra Worthen. (Courtesy: Ballet Latino de San Antonio)

She added that’s something not every dancer can pull off. Basically, if the dancer was raised in a Latin culture, the rhythms and movements come naturally.

“We’re kicking it up a notch and bringing it to a different level,” Worthen said. “These are professional dancers who can do a lot more than just the classics, but you still look at the dancers and see their extensions and beautiful classical lines. Anyone who appreciates classical ballet will certainly be able to appreciate this.

“Some of the music we use is so lively and has those Latin rhythms that it’s hard not to want to get up and move. People accept it and at the same time, we’re celebrating so much of our San Antonio culture.”

Worthen said, looking ahead, Ballet Latino de San Antonio will be creating different pieces and developing its repertoire to debut this fall. Furthermore, she feels the future is bright.

“So far we’ve been well received and felt just an amazing amount of support and acceptance,” Worthen said. “We’re being encouraged everywhere we go, so I believe this will be great for the city.”

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