Category: dance

“The English National Ballet’s principal dancers will be gracing the stage in Karl Lagerfeld-designed Chanel haute couture this summer, for a special production to celebrate the centenary of the influential troupe Ballet Russes.”

“The Ballets Russes lasted just 20 years, disbanding after the death of Diaghilev. But between 1909 and 1929, it staged more than 50 courageous new works. Diaghilev brought together choreographers, composers and painters who were pushing the boundaries; his company became a hotbed of modernist invention.”

“Among the larger companies, New York City Ballet has let 11 dancers go, Miami City Ballet has laid off seven dancers in addition to getting rid of live music, and San Francisco Ballet has laid off six dancers. American Ballet Theatre is not laying off dancers; instead, its dancers union agreed to substantial contract concessions.”

“Earlier this month marked the 65th anniversary of what the dancer-turned-choreographer calls his beginnings as a dance maker. Mr. Cunningham began dancing professionally in 1939 and after creating a few dances along the way, gave a joint concert with avant-garde musician John Cage in 1944. It was then, according to the choreographer, that his career path was set.”

“Graeme Murphy’s Nutcracker, recast so poignantly as the life story of an ageing Russian ballerina long transplanted to Melbourne, exerts a magic very different from the traditional favourite. Childish dreams and a kingdom of sweets give way to a narrative that has consequences for every member of the audience. Without such emigres there would be no Australian ballet. And no Australian Ballet.”

“Ballet San Jose on Thursday announced the appointment of Stephanie Ziesel as its new executive director. Ziesel currently serves as associate director of development at San Francisco Ballet, where she has worked for nearly seven years.”

“Back Stage spoke recently with six journeyman dancers, performers whose names you won’t recognize but who work consistently as dancers in every corner of show business. Their stories offer clever ideas and straightforward advice about building and sustaining a professional dance career.”

“For an improbably long time, showers of blooms rained down on Alina Cojocaru after her performance in Peter Wright’s production of Giselle at the Royal Opera House last week. So many that by the time the conductor and the other Royal Ballet dancers came out to take their bows, they were tripping over the piles with some regularity.”

“DanceMotion USA [is] an international touring series created by the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.” Between January and April next year, three American companies will tour (respectively) Africa, Southeast Asia and South America, offering performances, workshops and classes.

One year ago, the former ABT star launched a full-scale professional troupe with more than 40 dancers based in Segovia. “[B]ut the company has to contend with a country where ballet hasn’t ever found its footing. […] It wouldn’t be so strange for Spain to lack a national classical company except for the fact that it is known for exporting high-caliber ballet dancers.”