Ken Busbin’s five years living in Augusta in the 1990s had a profound impact on his life and career.
He recently returned to the area to put the final touches on costumes for Colton Ballet Co.’s 50th anniversary production of “The Nutcracker.”
“They were so professional and nurturing. And there was excellence with every production,” said Busbin, who lives in Boston, and has gone through an evolution as far as his career.
He’d danced with the Atlanta Ballet before coming to Augusta in the 90s. During that time, Colton Ballet Co. was known as the Augusta Ballet, and Busbin said the fellow dancers became like family to him.
He’s especially appreciative of the relationship he developed with Ron Colton, who died in 2016, and his wife, Zanne, who is the Colton Ballet Co.’s artistic director.
“They gave me opportunities to grow as a dancer,” he said. “I had roles I never would’ve been able to do with the Atlanta Ballet. Ron saw the potential in me.”
The dance company developed its own ballet of “Dracula,” giving Busbin what became his “signature role.”
“It was created on me,” he said of Count Dracula. “I was the original. I think I performed it six or seven times.”
Even after he’d moved away from Augusta, he returned to dance the role.
As his career progressed, he became more involved with a behind-the-scenes’ role in the ballet world.
Costuming had always fascinated him.
“I’ve always been a visual artist,” said Busbin, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts’ degree from the Massachusetts College of Art.
When he was part of the Atlanta Ballet, he’d spend his summers working in the wardrobe department, so that he “could stay on payroll” during the off season, he said.
After he started dancing in Augusta, he was again drawn to costumes and revamped some of the ballet company’s costumes from “The Nutcracker” in the 1990s. The costumes used in “Dracula” were his designs as well.
Opportunities led him out of the South. He danced with the Les Ballet Trockaderos de Monte Carlo, a New York-based all male ballet company, before he took a position with the Boston Ballet, where he’s the head draper — the person who runs the costume shop.
He started out in the wardrobe department there as a stitcher.
Not only has he worked on costumes for the ballet company, but his work has been seen in films such as “Ant Man and Wasp,” “Jungle Cruise” and “Little Women.” His most recent project has been with HBO on a series about Julia Child, which should begin by the end of the year.
“It’s been thrilling and amazing,” he said.
And when his longtime friend, Zanne Colton, asked him about transforming the snow costume for the 50th anniversary of “The Nutcracker,” which will be performed at the Imperial Theatre Thanksgiving weekend, he didn’t hesitate.
For the “Waltz of the Snowflakes,” Busbin has created romantic tutus, the ones that are longer and fuller, and has not only introduced white and light blue layers of tulle, but purple as well.
The shimmering costumes should convey the feel of dancing snowflakes in the wind, he said.
Busbin said he’s hopeful to return to Augusta to see the costumes on stage.
“The Nutcracker” will be performed at 7 p.m. Nov. 26 and 1 and 5 p.m. Nov. 27-28 at the Imperial Theatre. Tickets are available at the Imperial Theatre website imperialtheatre.com or by calling (706) 722-8341.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
