Swan Lake is easily one of the most iconic works in the ballet canon, celebrated for its striking visuals, technical precision and, of course, Tchaikovsky’s sweeping score. But at its core, Swan Lake is also just a love story — albeit a deeply tragic one — that’s filled with passion, romance, betrayal and sacrifice. And as Nashville Ballet prepares to stage this beloved masterpiece for the first time since 2018, artistic director and CEO Nick Mullikin says it’s that authentic approach to storytelling that anchors the company’s production.
Inspired by the original works of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov and featuring fresh choreography and story adaptation by artistic director emeritus Paul Vasterling, Swan Lake follows the lovely Princess Odette, who is cursed by an evil sorcerer and forced to live out her days as a swan.
“As with all of Paul’s ballets, the narrative storytelling is just fantastic,” Mullikin says. “It’s such a captivating story of hope, humanity and overcoming adversity — all the things we look for in our own lives, I think. But there’s also this wonderful idea of working together to make a change that really resonates with me. The idea that a group of individuals can band together to fight an evil force, to change their circumstances — I find that really powerful, and quite moving.”
Mullikin says he is also moved by Tchaikovsky’s timeless music, which he calls “absolutely breathtaking.”
“I’ve always loved the music,” he says. “It’s so rich, so amazingly beautiful. And we’re fortunate to have the Nashville Symphony playing with us at every performance. Most ballet companies simply do not have that opportunity, and we’re very grateful for their partnership — and really excited for audiences to experience their incredible artistry.”
Adding to the excitement is the number of principal-role debuts happening this weekend, including Lily Saito and Colette Tilinski, who are alternating in the dual role of Odette/Odile. James Lankford and Jorge Emilio Peña will alternate as Prince Siegfried.
“We have such an incredibly talented group of artists,” Mullikin says. “And what’s interesting is that each dancer brings something unique to their character. The Odette/Odile character has such richness on both sides of the equation, so it’s been a lot of fun to see how Lily and Colette have approached the work, and how their personalities come through in different ways. It’s such a difficult role — so demanding, both physically and artistically. It’s a remarkable test of stamina, skill and resilience, but these dancers are more than ready and so willing to take on the task. It’s been a joy to work with them.”
For Tilinski, it’s all about trusting her training and committing fully to the storytelling.
“I grew up watching and admiring so many incredible ballerinas in these roles, so being given the opportunity to step into them myself feels very meaningful,” says Tilinski, who grew up in Atlanta and joined Nashville Ballet’s second company in 2017 before being promoted to company dancer in 2020. “One of the biggest challenges of Swan Lake is clearly portraying the contrast between good and evil, and making that transformation feel believable. Odette is soft and lyrical, yet strong, with movement that is deceptively difficult and controlled. Odile, on the other hand, is sharp and cunning, requiring a different physicality, energy and presence onstage. Shifting between these two extremes within the same ballet has been one of the most demanding artistic challenges I’ve faced.
“Technically and physically, the ballet requires enormous stamina,” she continues. “Each role includes a pas de deux, variation and coda — including 32 fouettés in the‘Black Swan’— which has pushed me to a new level of endurance. But being cast in these roles has given me confidence in my ability to lead, to tell a story and to fully dive into a character.”
Saito agrees, noting that dancing the dual role of Odette/Odile has been “a dream of mine since I was 8 years old.”
“Performing this role demands a high level of technical precision while also pushing artistic boundaries,” says Saito, who is originally from New York City and has been with Nashville Ballet since 2018. “Dancing two drastically different characters in one ballet requires a complete shift. How you move, how you approach each step, how you express body language and slight choices in facial expressions make a world of a difference.
“Having the opportunity to perform this role truly means the world to me,” she adds. “I’m especially excited to perform the Black Swan. Odile is incredibly fun to portray. She embodies a bold, commanding energy that challenges you to dance at your highest level. It’s an empowering role that demands your full potential, both technically and artistically. Completing the grand pas de deux brings such an exhilarating sense of accomplishment, and I can’t wait to experience that rush onstage.”
