37 replies to this topic

[Amy Reusch]

Quote

Of the 55 full-time dancers, 32 will be new -- a stunning statistic that indicates his determination to put a very different product onstage.

New dancers, goals at Boston Ballet

Without knowing anything about the company, I find this info startling, even if I do believe in an artistic director's right to choose his dancers.  Surely some of you have something to say about this?  Anyone have any comments on the different look of the new dancers?  

Quote

''They're going to enhance the qualities I'm emphasizing onstage: more musicality; clean technique; simple, fresh presentation; and quality, quality, quality.''

Suppose he is making big changes in company class as well?  

Just very curious as to what's happening in Boston,
~ Amy

[Mme. Hermine]

my only comment is that it's pretty startling, knowing the people he's replacing, to consider that rather than talk about what i think it is, which is simply a difference of aesthetic, he prefers to say that they are better dancers or more musical or whatever else.  in other words that it comes across as a dig more than anything else.

[Alexandra]

Good question   I'm going to move this to the Boston Ballet forum so that the Bostonians will be sure to see it -- but anyone is welcome to chime in, or course.

[Alina]

I am not sure how Christine Temin got those numbers. My calculation has new dancers as a total of 23. 14 new company dancers (3 principal, 4 soloists, 7 corps)  and 11 Boston Ballet II dancers.  Seems she calculated former dancers being promoted as a new dancer. BBII (the apprentice group) always has a big change year to year. Some join the company, others are given a second year. This past year all but one BBII dancer got a job elsewhere if they were not hired at BB.  3 of the former BBII dancers joined the corps and 2 have been retained for another year. Incidentally, Michael Cusumano danced with Boston Ballet during Nutcracker some years ago while he was with ABT and on lay-off.

[Alexandra]

I didn't count them, but when I read the article, I did have the reaction, "It didn't seem like that many when I read the press release."

It is not unusual for companies to have 40%, even 50% turnover.  The smaller the company, of course, the more you notice it.

[Watermill]

Ms. Temin started another tempest in a T-Pot (Beantown transit riders will get the pun) last November when she badly mis-stated audience numbers at the Wang. See "Boston Ballet Box Office Woes" in Boston Ballet.

I suggest that anyone starting a thread based on her reporting first verify the facts.

[Alexandra]

Well, we can't always verify the facts   But if anyone has them, they can post them.

[mbjerk]

It is encouraging that he took so many from BBII.  This allows him to use new blood while strengthening the apprentice program and hopefully the school to company relationship.  Also these dancers should know the rep, so it helps with rehearsals, etc.

Sounds exciting to me, and as the commercial sector proves, the right move for a culture change to a new path.

Interesting too would be what the ex- BB dancers are doing.  Did they retire, move on to other companies or go into the school/company as staff?

[Alexandra]

mbjerk, on Aug 10 2003, 11:10 AM, said:

Interesting too would be what the ex- BB dancers are doing.  Did they retire, move on to other companies or go into the school/company as staff?

I wrote to the press office two days ago and asked for that info, and have had no response.  If they can't tell us, I'd like to open the floor for members to do so.  The No Gossip rule is lifted in this instance   If you know where some of these dancers have landed, please let us know.  By now, contracts should have been signed, so there should be no harm in this.

[Mme. Hermine]

Someone asked about a girl named Ginger; she's gone to Robert Denvers' company in Antwerp.

[socalgal]

Check the new roster at Houston Ballet.  A handful of BB dancers are there and already rehearsing.    A change in AD at any company can be very  unsettling.  Atleast BB sounds as if it is moving in a direction now.  It has been a company in a state of flux for a couple of years.  Now it seems to be off and running with a solid performance schedule and a roster of dancers that must suit this particular AD.   The new dancers hired for BB are a very talented group. A new dynamic can be positive and exciting.    :clover:

[Juliet]

Alex Ritter is moving back to NY to become a jeweller.

They start work tomorrow....it will be interesting to see how the new dynamic evolves. There is  a great influx of talent.....

[koshka]

Socalgal--
Is the Houston Ballet roster on the Houston Ballet site, or where can I find it?
Or can someone list who from BB went there?

[Old Fashioned]

HB is currently working on the dancers' section of their website; it is not up yet.  I don't think there is a roster or press release of this year's dancers yet, or at least that's what I've been told.

[socalgal]

yes, HB's site lists it is still under construction. I am sure it will be up soon.  I read it in a newspaper article about BB dancers going to HOuston, but cannot remember the source.  sorry.