Dancer on Spotlight for BP’s Don Quixote: Ian Ocampo

Photo Credit: Erica Feliz Marquez-Jacinto

He is that very familiar face on the poster of a previous musical by 9 Works Theatrical rendition of Newsies. Recently he was also in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for Resorts World Manila.

But for charismatic dancer Ian Ocampo, he fell in love with ballet during his college years. He owed most of his classical dance training under Vella C. Damian School of Ballet.

He was also an artist for Philippine Ballet Theater from 2013-2017 where he portrayed roles for Filipino Masterpieces’ Darangen ni Bantugen, The Nutcracker, Paquita pas de deux, Black and White Swan pas de deux, Ali in Le Corsaire and several other principal roles.

Ian took time to share with us some of his thoughts portraying as one of the alternate dancers for Ballet Philippines’ Basilio in Don Quixote alongside Victor Maguad and recent international guest danseur Joseph Gatti. Re-staged by Adam Sage, Associate Artistic Director for Ballet Ph.

Photo Credit: Trixie Dauz

Astig.Ph: What makes this production different from the others you have so far done?

Ian Ocampo: The attack and energy of this ballet is very different from your white ballets. In Don Q, I am portraying a normal town's man in Basilio.

APh: How special is it to play Basilio? Was it Your dream role?

Ian: Yes, it very special to me and portraying it is my childhood dream role too.

APh: How is Monica Gana, your fellow BP dancer as Kitri?

Ian: She's very giving. I never had an instance where I had to act it out because she's always in the moment. And that also makes me dive into her portrayal.

APh: What's scene/s are the most difficult and challenging to do in Don Q?

Ian: Act 1 and Act 3 pas de deux. In Act 1, that's where most of the stamina goes in. We pace the show in that part. And during Act 3, the energy goes all out.

APh: What lesson or advise did you get from working with guest danseur Joseph Gatti?

Ian: He's a blessing. And I am not even exaggerating it. He's very easy to work with. Joseph gives it all when he performs.

Catch Ian Ocampo and the rest of his fellow Ballet Philippines dancers in his version of Basilio during February 18 Sunday, closing show at 2PM, the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

We are soooo looking forward to many more dance and musicale productions from you Ian.
Keep on dancing and inspiring!