Museum keeps her dancing

nutcracker032: Museum keeps her dancingKathleen Edens was literally kept on her toes during the holiday season. By day, she got involved in the marketing of the Kern County Museum’s busy events’ schedule and at night Edens rehearsed for a principle role in The Nutcracker Ballet.

Edens has been a marketing intern with the museum for 13 months. She has been a ballet dancer since the age of three. Edens grew up in Bakersfield, graduating from Garces Memorial High School and then from the University of California, Irvine, earning a double major — Dance/English — bachelor’s degree.

At that point, the trend was established that she was the kind of individual that wouldn’t be bothered by concentrating on two things at once. Edens came on board at the museum in November 2002 in time to help with the opening of “Black Gold: The Oil Experience,” a permanent, interactive exhibit dedicated to the history of oil in Kern County.

Her love of ballet, established at such a young age, has not deserted Edens. She spent an entire year dancing with the Colorado Ballet before interning at the museum. Unable to recall how many years she has appeared in the Bakersfield production of The Nutcracker, Edens is nevertheless typecast. For the past six year’s she has played the part of Clara’s Mother.

“I love it,” Edens said. “It is part of my life. I can’t imagine not dancing because it is such a great means of expressing myself. Besides it gives me the opportunity to be center stage for awhile. I am in the entire party scene which lasts about 20 minutes. I love dancing and The Nutcracker.”

Rehearsing for The Nutcracker at night and maintaining her daytime job at the museum required a certain level of love, too. For two weeks in December Edens was at the museum from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and then it was off to the Bakersfield Convention Center where she rehearsed until about 11 p.m. That is not including the actual performances. The first was Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. The next day Edens had matinee and nighttime shows in which to dance, followed by a matinee finale on Dec. 14.

“It was not a burden,” Edens said. “Can you imagine the fantastic experience one can get being involved in these two great endeavors at once? I love the museum training. It gives me exposure to exciting programs, culture and history. Some day I hope to have a marketing position with a dance company, and the experience the museum is providing is so helpful.”

Experience? Yes. Edens has been exposed to every facet of museum life from collecting tickets to planning for major events such as the current “Clock Tower Holidays.”

Even when it’s not the holiday season, Edens apparently doesn’t feel like she’s complete if she isn’t juggling two jobs at once. She is also the company manager for the Bakersfield Regional Ballet, which puts on The Nutcracker each year.

“I found a way to incorporate both into one event,” Edens said with a smile. “I’ve scheduled the ballet to perform during the museum’s ‘Cookies at the Clock Tower’ on Dec. 20, at the museum. It will be fun. It will give me a chance to talk about ballet with children and teach a few ballet steps, but I will not be putting on my ‘point’ shoes.”

Edens also believes in giving credit where credit is due. She made an extra effort to mention that Insurance Services clerk typist Valerie Lewis, did double duty as The Nutcracker’s co-choreographer and assistant director. Lewis also teaches at the Civic Dance Center and is director of the Bakersfield Regional Ballet.
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