28 replies to this topic

[carbro]

Alexandra, if I recall correctly, the deodorant commercial featured Peter Martins and Allegra Kent  costumed for (and dancing?) "Tschaikovsky pas," with the Mazurka music from Swan Lake  superimposed.  It was edited with MTV sensibility, cut into so many small pieces that not a step -- let alone a phrase -- was discernable.  :eek:  I also assumed that the royalties from that display went directly to the dancers, not their employer.

I think the "sponsored by" credits are merely a way to acknowledge the "most generous" (or publicity-starved) donors.  Personally, I find it vulgar and out of line with the spirit of giving, but if it loosens purse strings, it's a small enough irritant to forgive.

[Mel Johnson]

I'm of two minds about dancers being sponsored corporately, with a mention in the program.  I think it's a bit tacky, but it certainly beats the old-fashioned way, with sugar daddies supporting their girlfriends' careers in the nineteenth century, and they certainly didn't want program credit, because their wives would find out!  Or worse, if they were underwriting more than one and they didn't know about one another!;)

[carbro]

Would that it were merely corporate acknowledgments!

I cite a recent ABT playbill before me, substituting initials for the  names of actual human donors:

Ms. Ananiashvili's performance was underwritten by N.E. and W.R.
Mr. Carreno's peformance was underwritten by N.E. and W.R.
Mr. Corella's performance was underwritten by M., P., and L.R.
Ms. Dvorovenko's performance was underwritten by Dr. & Mrs. K.

etc.

[Mel Johnson]

Now THAT'S tacky!;)

[carbro]

I'd prefer tacky thanks in programs ;)  to a completely impoverished company, though.:eek:

[Mel Johnson]

As I said, I still entertain an ambivalence about this practice.;)

[Calliope]

I'd rather see a general acknowledgement,  "we'd like to thank the following patrons for their support of our principal dancers...."

Is ABT the only company that does this, at least in print?

[carbro]

I suspect that many donors respond with larger gifts when they have an opportunity to link their names directly to that of a principal dancer.  I am so very  impressed!  Not.  But I am grateful.

ABT has been doing this for a couple of years now.  At first, the only "underwritten" dancer was Nina Ananiashvili, then Susan Jaffe and (I think) Julio Bocca.  Perhaps ABT will find itself in a position where it feels compelled to promote everyone to principal status in order to pull in the really big bucks.

[Alexandra]

Aha!  NOW we know exactly who to blame if a dancer misses a pirouette, or has an off night, or isn't suited to the role.

THANKS A LOT, N.E. AND W.R.

I second Calliope's idea.

[Calliope]

Could you imagine if dancers just didn't show up to work b/c the markets are doing poorly and their sponsors couldn't afford them anymore?!
Does this mean some of them are making "too much" that they need sponsors??

[kfw]

So I take it that so far no one's sporting corporate logos on tights or tutu like on a stock car, right? :rolleyes:

[carbro]

:eek:

Shhhhh!!  Don't give anyone such ideas!

[Mel Johnson]

Amy, it's just like any other sort of corporate budgeting.  If a company doesn't have to pay out so much on personnel, it frees up the money to be applied to other departments.

[Mel Johnson]

Amy, it's just like any other sort of corporate budgeting.  If a company doesn't have to pay out so much on personnel, it frees up the money to be applied to other departments.