Category: dance

“Since 1981 Momix, one of just a handful of for-profit dance companies, has sought out commercial work — from presentations at corporate gatherings for Fiat, BMW and MAC cosmetics to a television advertisement for Hanes underwear — to bolster its bottom line.”

“A contract dispute between a choreographer and the 92nd Street Y has caused a stir in the field — and provided a glimpse into the fraught relationship between struggling dance makers and presenters.”

Harvey Phillips suffered meningitis as a baby and lost both lower legs and his right arm. But when he saw his big sister take ballet, he “was so determined to take part that he took to the dance floor without the aid of traditional prosthetic limbs. Now he is able to run, jump and twirl using custom-made plastic caps to protect his legs.”

“He is one of the great ballet dancers of all time, has shown his acting chops, conquered modern dance (and continues to), and has become an impresario with the opening of the Baryshnikov Arts Center. And now he has published a book of photographs of Merce Cunningham Dance Company.”

Among the finalists for the honors dedicated to Broadway dance are choreographers Armitage (Hair) and Graciela Daniele (Pal Joey) as well as performers Karen Olivo (Anita in West Side Story) and the three young men sharing the title role in Billy Elliot. For film choreography, a category added last year, nominees include Slumdog Millionaire, Mamma Mia and the unavoidable High School Musical 3.

Lauren Strongin, the company’s female star, is leaving to become a corps member at Houston Ballet, where she’ll make quite a bit more money despite the lower rank. Kyoko Takeichi and Saneyuki Kawashima are retiring, and Sarasota artistic director Iain Webb chose not to renew the contract of Sergiy Mykhalov.

“To anyone who has seen [Alexandra] Ansanelli dance, it’s hard to imagine her as a civilian. Some dancers seem like regular people who just happen to have found themselves onstage. Others, like Ms. Ansanelli, appear to belong to a more rarefied universe. … [I]f she were to play a fictional ballerina, it would be a Vicki Baum-like character, ready to sacrifice everything for her art. But perhaps that’s exactly why Ms. Ansanelli is leaving ballet.”

The ballet mistress and 10 dancers – five dismissed by incoming artistic director Robert Hill, five who have resigned – are “exiting the Orlando company following its 35th anniversary season, which saw economic challenges, a mid-season switch of artistic directors, and first-rate performances.”

“Shrinking investments left the company with a net loss of $1,940,404[Aus] for last year, but a strong box office, successful international tour and strategic cost-cutting have enabled the company to post an operating surplus of $861,020 [Aus].”

“The recession has hit [Asheville’s] Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance. But this dance company is hitting back. For the upcoming performance of ‘The Recession Blues’ June 25-27, the dance group is offering a buy-one-get-one free voucher to anyone who gives $45 or more to several nonprofit organizations until May 29.”