Making Progress

Ballet 5:8 Conservatory Student, Marina Strong shares about becoming her character in Pilgrim’s Progress.

Who are you dancing as in Pilgrim’s Progress this year?
I am dancing the character named Apollyon.

What has been the most interesting or challenging part about portraying your character?
Apollyon is a vicious fiend. A monster in all senses. But he wants to trick Christian into going back to the City of Destruction, so he pretends to be merciful and kind. While portraying Apollyon, I have to show his viciousness, while also showing how he is pretending to be merciful and kind.

Which scene is your favorite and why?
Towards the end of the battle, Apollyon causes Christian to fall, knocking the sword out of his hand, then gloats because Christian is nearly defeated. But as Apollyon prepares for his final blow, Christian grasps his sword and says, "Do not gloat, my enemy! Though I have fallen I will rise!" I haven't learned this scene yet, but it's my favorite in the book.

Describe the movement style of your character.
Many of the movements show claws, wings, or a tail. In the sections where Apollyon is trying to trick Christian, the movement is more hypnotic, while in the sections where Apollyon is trying to force Christian to return to the city of destruction, the movement is sharp and powerful.

Why should audiences come to see Pilgrim’s Progress?
The excitement of the story, the challenge from the teaching, and the fact that Pilgrim's Progress is a story of a Christian, every Christian, from the first call to Christ to the final arrival in the Celestial City of God.