Ravinia 2024 Issue 6

and contribute to the art landscape of the city and be part of that.” Providing the live music for the premiere is Lewis’s backing band from his last decade, the Urban Knights, along with pianist Richard D. Johnson, one of the teach- ing artists of the Ravinia Jazz Mentor Program, which Lewis helped establish in 1995 to train Chicago Public High School jazz students in skills to pursue professional futures. The September 14 family presen- tation by the Studio Company and Academy students will feature a revival of Rita Finds Home , a 45-minute ballet produced in collaboration with Miami City Ballet and first performed in 2022 at Navy Pier. Inspired by the survivors of the 2017 Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, it tells the story of a young artist living on a tropical island who dreams of living in a bustling city. But when a damaging storm forces her and her mother to make just such a move, Rita feels lost and disoriented and embarks on a journey with her family and new friends to rediscover herself and her talents and redefine what home means. “In any part of our lives, even as adults, there are moments that either physically or emotionally displace us,” says Karla Estela Rivera, a Chicago-based writ- er, performer, and cultural organizer. “What do we do and how do we find our people when our whole life has been flipped upside down?” She was part of an all-female creative team brought together for the project, including choreographer Amy Hall Garner and award-winning children’s book creator Elisa Chavarri. Rivera, former executive director of the Free Street Theater, was surprised when Erica Lynette Edwards, Joffrey’s then-commu- nity engagement director, approached her about working on the project be- cause she had never been involved with ballet. “Well, you a storyteller, aren’t you?” Edwards asked. And of course, she responded affirmatively, quickly realizing this project was right in her wheelhouse. “I have really lived my life at the intersection of the arts and social change,” Rivera says. “Part of my voca- tion is really to use any kind of work I do to support and uplift communities and their stories.” To ensure that audiences can easily follow the story and their attention Above: The Joffrey Ballet’s Rita Finds Home in its 2022 premiere at Navy Pier Left: Rita Finds Home creative team (left to right) Elisa Chavarri, Amy Hall Garner, and Karla Estela Rivera doesn’t waver—especially among young children—Rivera added narration in either English and Spanish that she recorded for the production. “We really wanted to make sure that folks con- nected to the story and the characters,” she says, “while also learning about this medium.” Rivera and her artistic partners con- ceived the concept for the ballet in 2019 with the idea that it would be produced in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic intervened, postponing its premiere. “Lots of projects ideated for 2020 didn’t come to fruition, but the Joffrey really remained committed to producing this story,” she says. Following its debut, Rita Finds Home was performed earlier this year in the Miami area and at Aurora (IL) University. “It’s very engaging,” Wheater says. “It’s inclusive. It’s super colorful. It’s just a great kind of introduction for young kids to get involved and see what story- telling is like through movement.” Kyle MacMillan served as classical music critic for the Denver Post from 2000 through 2011. He currently freelances in Chicago, writing for such publications as the Chicago Sun-Times , Early Music America , Opera News , and Classical Voice of North America . RAVINIAMAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2 – SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 20 KATIEMILLER(BOTHPHOTOS)