Snowbound

One summer I worked as stage crew for a local theatre that sponsored a storybook ballet series to attract children to ballet. A visiting company was doing "Alice in Wonderland", Alice and the White Rabbit were dancing together, and for some reason a thread came loose from the ribbon on Alice's pointe shoe (sometimes those ends just don't stay tucked in!). Sure enough it caught somewhere, and Alice and Rabbit danced through a longer and longer tangle of satin thread as Alice's ribbon continued to unravel. Both Alice and the Rabbit contained themselves, and I'm not sure that the audience could actually tell/see that something was going on, but those of us in the wings were pretty amused!

I agree about the Swan corps. Perhaps one of the most enthralling corps to watch is a perfectly executed, NON-moving swan corps, which is only appreciated after seeing an "anxious" group of swans; it's so obvious- and distracting- to see a less-than-motionless swan among the corps. I truly love to watch "good" swans, and always appreciate the effort they put into their posing. While I always enjoy the soloists in a performance, for me it's the corps that truly makes the ballet.

I'm grateful for the references of videos/dvds of 4T's. I saw this performed by the Paris Opera Ballet (April 2008) and was mesmerized by the depth and intricacy of the choreography, and was hoping to have the opportunity to see it again.

It's amazing how much wear and age in a tutu doesn't show from the stage. It's also amazing what a creative costumer can DO to a tutu to cover up the sweat stains...shoe polish, creative applique placement, etc. The audience can never see the camoflage, just a beautiful ballerina in an amazing tutu!

To add a ray of sunshine to a sad though interesting thread, Ivy Clear is whole and well, teaching ballet and directing a small ballet company in Maine. Her students adore her as a teacher, friend, mentor, and for her sharp wit and humor. Thankfully, time heals.

...and hence my name! I don't know why I live in northern New England as I am NOT a fan of snow, ice, cold, skiing, snowshoeing...I could go on, but you get the idea! ANyhow, here I am, looking at the snow flying and reading Ballet Talk. My 15 yr. old is a dancer; I hate to call her "recreational" as she trains solidly for 20 hours a week, but she won't be moving into a pre-pro program, although she aspires to teaching. I have always been surrounded by ballet. I grew up in the Boston area, took what was definitely recreational/Dinkle ballet growing up during the 1960's and 1970's, but had the good fortune to have a cousin whose cousin by marriage (and therefore NO relation to me!) was E. Virginia Williams- so there was definitely a "real" ballet influence in my youth, as well as numerous trips into town to see the Ballet. Ballet moves me in a way nothing else can! I am a fan of watching ballets although not well-versed in specific dancers and their careers; a recreational fan, perhaps? No matter; it will be enjoyable to read and learn from other adults interested in ballet from the seats and not from behind the footlights (not that I don't love that also, but with my DD's involvement sometimes I am overwhelmed with production details and don't have the opportunity to discuss, read, and reflect- too busy sewing and painting and managing!).