Renata Shakirova and Kimin Kim Light Up Ballet Manila’s Don Quixote Season Finale
Performing the same role again and again can either sharpen a dancer’s artistry or lead to a sense of repetition.
For internationally acclaimed ballet stars Renata Shakirova and Kimin Kim, it’s a creative challenge they embrace, with precision, emotion, and a constant drive for reinvention.
This August, Renata and Kimin take center stage in Ballet Manila’s production of Don Quixote, happening from August 22 to 24 at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City. The beloved classical ballet serves as the grand finale of Ballet Manila’s Pearl Year, a season celebrating the company’s legacy of world-class performances.
Both dancers are principal artists with the Mariinsky Ballet, one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the world. With years of performance experience, they bring unmatched technique and emotional depth to their portrayals of Kitri and Basilio, roles they’ve mastered over time yet never perform the same way twice.
“I think the role of Kitri is the one I’ve danced most often in the classical repertoire,” Renata shares. “But I always approach it as if it’s the first time. That way, every performance stays alive and full of discovery. Even in the smallest moments, like a glance between partners, t’s important to stay present.”
She credits Kimin’s attention to detail as a source of inspiration: “He has this incredible focus on every little nuance. And every great performance is made up of those tiny details.”
For Kimin, who describes Basilio as “the color red that shimmers,” portraying the spirited character is both technically demanding and creatively fulfilling. As a multi-awarded dancer trained at the Mariinsky Theatre, he emphasizes the importance of strong classical foundation: “Without proper schooling, you can’t really express anything meaningful. The jumps, the fouettés, the acting, all of that comes from years of training. But beyond technique, I always try to give the audience something personal, something from within.”
Having danced these roles together before, Renata and Kimin continue to find new dynamics in their partnership. “Renata is incredibly expressive,” Kimin says. “Even after performing the same ballet many times, she always brings something new. It’s never boring to dance with her, I’m constantly surprised.”
This upcoming Manila performance offers both artists a fresh opportunity to connect with a new audience. Renata returns to Ballet Manila following her critically praised appearance in Giselle last year. “The audience here was so warm and welcoming,” she recalls. “Now, with Don Quixote, I get to show a different side of myself. Giselle was deeply emotional and dramatic, while Don Quixote is joyful, full of energy, and stylistically distinct. It’s exciting as an artist to explore both sides.”
For Kimin, this marks his debut on the Manila stage. “I want the audience to remember this performance not just with applause, but with feeling. When we give the audience a message through dance, when we move them emotionally, that’s the most powerful thing we can do.”
Ballet Manila’s CEO and Artistic Director Lisa Macuja Elizalde sees no better way to close out their milestone season. “Ending our Pearl Year with Renata and Kimin leading Don Quixote is a perfect culmination. Their artistry reflects our vision of bringing top-tier, international-level performances to Filipino audiences.”
Don’t miss Renata Shakirova and Kimin Kim in Don Quixote, Ballet Manila’s dazzling season-ender. Show dates are August 22 at 8 PM, and August 23 and 24 at 5 PM, all at Aliw Theater, Pasay City.
Tickets are available at www.ticketworld.com.ph
. To learn more about Ballet Manila’s shows and upcoming season, visit www.balletmanila.com.ph
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