Category: dance

For Ethan Stiefel training is about “more than perfecting steps or even transcending the limits of the human body. At the school he has formulated a set of eight initiatives. Inspired by the principles of many martial arts, the list concludes, ‘We will work toward becoming great dancers, while understanding that being a good person is the true goal’.”

“The $1 million fund has been donated by Melbourne businessman Ian Hicks and his three children in memory of their wife and mother, Dorothy. Mrs Hicks, a passionate balletomane, died of cancer in 2007.” The money endows the salary of one of Australian Ballet’s principal dancers.

Barry Hughson will leave the Atlanta Ballet in May after only two years. “He will take over the Boston Ballet, one of five largest ballet companies in the country. Its $25 million budget is more than three times that of Atlanta, which has a budget of $8 million.”

“Margo McCann, who has served as the Texas Ballet Theater’s interim managing director during the last six months, was officially named the company’s managing director, the ballet announced Thursday.”

“Nevada Ballet Theatre’s announcement Tuesday that it would let go nine dancers and cut its final concert of the season came as almost no surprise. … Reeling from the recession, ballet companies across the country are reducing staffs and canceling performances. Nevada Ballet took its actions to cover budget shortfalls caused by a drop in revenue from ticket sales, contributions, academy tuition and special events.”

The company has let go nine of its 31 dancers, cut its administrative staff and postponed its May program to next season. But all of the soloists and principals are staying on, as is artistic director James Canfield, and the April program is going ahead as planned.

The company launched its third season last weekend with Balanchine’s Prodigal Son, staged by former Balanchine colleague Patricia Neary. “One of that ballet’s greatest interpreters of the title part, Miami City Ballet director Edward Villella, loaned them costumes and sets (modeled on Georges Rouault’s originals).” And the dancers of the fledgling troupe performed the piece “flawlessly.”

“Philadanco was scheduled to perform March 28, but the program is being rescheduled ‘because of the effects of a slow economy on ticket sales,’ according to a Walker news release. The performance is being moved to the theater’s 2009-10 season, which begins in September.”

“The 86 dancers at American Ballet Theater have agreed to accept a proposal by management that would eliminate the company’s pension contributions and the dancers’ vacation pay in 2009.”

For the new Broadway revival of West Side Story, Joey McKneely has the daunting job of recreating Jerome Robbins’s choreography. “Mr. McKneely’s task is as hard as it sounds. Like balletomanes devoted to Balanchine many Robbins disciples and fans see every step in West Side Story as sacred. But, as Mr. McKneely pointedly asked, ‘What is the original choreography?'”