stuben

Stuben, that has been listed on ABT's Semionova bio for a long time. Although I do wonder if she is done with ABT.

Sorry for my miss on this as but nonetheless I do wonder if she plans to remain in Europe?! I do agree about nurturing the next generation of dancers, I believe Brandt would be a good one too! Especially after seeing her in both classical and modern pieces, she shows such power and grace, IMO she would be a good test for Sylvia. Then perhaps the AD should start considering moving the corps as well, since I do see a few with great potential as wel. Again, IMO having seen Waski in several soloist roles in past seasons, my grand daughter and I hope to see more of her this season, it is just too bad they don't list the cast for what shows these soloist roles will be danced by, so we will just take our chances.

Kaysta, give the exchange a try even if you are not a a subscriber. It might work.

I'm disappointed about Semionova, but not angry. I hope her medical leave is for the best of all possible reasons. However, I am angry that ABT management must have known for a period of time that she would not dance next week (or for the ENTIRE season), but hid it and continued to sell tickets using her name until the 11th hour.

As some have noted, there is no way I will see Hee Seo in Sylvia. Fortunately, I left open many slots to exchange into for the season in anticipation that the cancellation tsunami would occur again this year.

Speaking realistically, I seriously doubt that Semionova will return next season.

As an aside, Polina's offical website did not list any performances at ABT in 2016, but she still lists a Sleeping Beauty on July 9, 2016. What company is that supposed to be with? We will all be keeping a close watch as to whether she proceeds with that July 9 show.

http://polina-semionova.com/schedule/

Another reason why I have learned to wait till the last minute to take my seat chances! Unfortunately, I have learned my lesson for too many years Also, I am not sure if anyone saw and I just read this myself but this on the ABT bio page for Semionova, but it lists this:

Semionova joined ABT as a Principal Dancer in September 2012.

Semionova began teaching at the State Ballet School of Berlin in 2012, and was named a Professor at the school in 2013.

So maybe she is remaining in Berlin???

I think that Clinton Luckett is a "safe" pick for Mckenzie. Recently, there seems to be a little chatter about it being time for Mckenzie to give up the directorship and that the company might need some type of change/shake up. I think the partnership with Ratmansky is Kevin's attempt at doing this or appeasing this argument. Appointing Stiefel or Jose Carreno, etc., would be a threat to Kevin. It might make the board think of their potential to take over or even begin the conversation. I highly highly doubt that Luckett will ever even be considered for the AD position. I think many directors hire like this... they don't want anyone that might threaten their "hold" on the company. This only ultimately does a disservice to the company and its audience. Its so clear that ABT needs qualified and effective coaches, so its heart-breaking to see so many missed opportunities and potential coaches not being able to pass on their knowledge.

To play devil's advocate, though, I seem to recall that Stiefel said one of the reasons he left NZ was that he didn't want to be bogged down with administration so that he could focus on choreography...and was enjoying mobility. If the Assistant AD job at ABT involves constant presence in NYC and/or a mess of paperwork, it may have been unappealing to most of the aforementioned.

Of course the great difficulty of this conversation is that none of us have a terribly clear idea of what this job entails...which never stopped me before!

Just to add another twist to this thought, I do agree what Dancerboy 90210 mentioned, that it is possible that this was a "safe" move and for selfish reasons by McKenzie. Adding to these thoughts, I am not sure if being "bogged down with administrative work" is an issue since I am assuming that ABT has more staff for that vs NZ? My guess is this, since both Stiefel and Carreño are extremely well known and loved, and IMO more of an equal to McKenzie (since they were both principals in their careers) if not better, they can potentially be more outspoken toward the board and that may be an issue? Clinton may be less threatening for McKenzie's position and the board will continue their control!

One more point: When you look at the length of tenure for each male corps member, there's a hardy group from the first half of the 00s. There's also a huge group of very young corps dancers who have joined in the last 5 years. Where there's a big void is in the second half of the 00s. The only person in the corps from that era is Gray Davis. ABT might be feeling the dropoff from that period because now would be the time that most of those guys would be hitting their prime -- if they were still around.

I may be wrong about dates but I believe Patrick Ogle joined in 2002 and maybe a hand full joining the Davis era? Even though Gomes and Bolle are incredible for their age, I do wonder if age does catch up to their stamina! For that reason, I would think ABT would do better in nurturing young talent vs letting them have the down time to wait ... till they are so frustrated that they leave .... possibly as in Baca's case? Based on all BA observations, I am just surprised they did not counter offer for someone like him to remain, or maybe it was just too good an offer to turn down?

Oh, and according to the article, Sterling Baca is coming over as a principal dancer. Hard to be too excited about it right now.

Sad for young talents to loose work during this economy and wish all those from PA best of luck! Best of wishes to Baca too as it will be indeed a loss here! I do wonder why he wasn't counter offered, although a principal position would be hard to counter, especially when imports are common! With so many ahead of him within the current company I am sure it would have been a far longer wait, this most likely will give him the chance to dance the roles he would probably not get too soon.

Re Hallberg-this was posted by Fort Wayne Ballet about two weeks ago:

https://www.facebook.com/AuerAcademyofFWB/photos/a.934925266605503.1073741830.927004520730911/951189758312387/?type=3&fref=nf

Thanks for sharing Drew! Good to see Hallberg still in this country as I was wondering if he may have returned to Russia Based on this I wonder if he is going to do more lectures or appearances as such vs dancing? Missing him at Met Seasons!!

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer story discussing the firing of numerous Pennsylvania Ballet dancers (see the thread in the Pennsylvania Ballet forum), Sterling Baca will leave ABT to become a principal dancer at Pennsylvania Ballet.

That's a big loss for ABT because they were grooming him to move up in the hierarchy. But Baca must have felt the wait would be too long given that Forster, Gorak and Hammoudi are ahead of him in the promotional line.

Agreed miliosr about the wait, if the process is soloist to principal then the wait might have to be quite a few years, seeing that Forster, Gorak and Hammoudi are already soloists, and it took them quite a while. Plus I have noticed recently quite a few PR pushes for Royal, so that might be another factor. That kind of offer has to be hard to give up! I know many moons ago, if I was given a GM position with other company when I was just at a desk job I would have jumped for it, so I can't blame him for taking the leap! A loss for ABT indeed and best of luck to this young man!, I read the article and since they have let go 40% of their current crew, I do wonder whom at ABT might follow suit? Other than Royal and Shayer, it seems that a few young talent, my grand daughter and I have come to love, are not listed to do any major roles this season as we had expected. Just hope we don't loose the likes of Waski to PA as well!

Interesting, Stuben, that you find Cory Stearns an expressive dancer. I "discovered" him, so to speak, when he was just beginning to dance prominent roles, as James in La Sylphide. What struck me most was his beautiful line as well as his adorable face--he was still just a boy. But since then audience members have complained that he needs to be more expressive on stage--that they found him a blank in ballets such as Swan Lake and Onegin. He was praised, however, for his performance as Iago in that one-act ballet based on Othello (I can't think of the name right now, darn it). My take, sitting in the front of the orchestra, was that he was, indeed, expressive, but at the same time self-effacing, not self-promoting or affected. And when he partnered Veronika Part in Swan Lake, I think he felt an enormous responsibility to her and the audience, which hampered his ability to act on stage.

But in the studio rehearsal with Gillian this year, he seems to have come into his own. He's a man now, no longer a boy, and seems to have gained in confidence. He was sweet and funny in the role of Colas. His jumps and turns were perfect and heart-stopping. I think this is going to be The Year of Cory Stearns. I'm so glad you like him too!

That is wonderful angelica! Thank you then for the discovery I loved him in Onegin!

ITA, Stuben. In addition to which, his upper body is stiff and unexpressive.

I think the danseur to watch this season is Cory Stearns. I saw him in a studio rehearsal of La Fille Mal Gardee with Gillian Murphy, and he was simply gorgeous in every way, with an exquisite line and heart-stopping jumps and turns.

I couldn't have said it better myself angelica! Without emotions IMO I might as well see Cirque du Soleil! Modern or Classics I want to walk out feeling connected, and you just mentioned two of my favorites for that!

Glad I didn't buy that ticket for Part's SL. I think Whiteside is better able to partner Part than Hammoudi, but I simply don't enjoy watching him.

I am with you angelica and I know many may not feel likewise, but IMO from what I have seen of him, he seems to dance for himself and not much connection with his partners or any emotions for that matter.

Yes, there in the USA it's the donors who decide. What is better????

IMO, it is too bad that this beautiful art form has come down to this....judged by those whom not necessarily have any performing arts background! Seems all so political and unfortunate for the true artists who does this for the love of it all!

The Bolshoi has finally published preliminary casting for its London tour, and there is no sign of Hallberg.

https://twitter.com/DanceTabs/status/719797801895477248

(No Osipova either, for that matter.)

Guessing Osipova is staying put at The Royal?

Indirectly and unintentionally, Semionova helped Abrera into her promotion. McKenzie had no plans to give Stella Giselle last season (or EVER), but Semionova's absence created an opening that Abrera was able to fill on short notice because Abrera had performed the role in Australia only a few weeks earlier. (Hee Seo was already overbooked, I guess.) If Semionova had never been part of the ABT roster, who knows when or if Stella would have gotten the chance to dance Giselle at ABT. Probably never. Abrera's performance helped to move her into consideration for promotion. The stars aligned for Abrera, finally.

I'm not sure, but I think Semionova does sell a good number of tickets. I like her in certain ballets like Swan Lake and Sylvia. I did not like her as Juliet, Giselle or Myrta. I think she could be a beautiful Lilac Fairy, but I doubt she will be cast in that role. I would also like to see her as Medora, but she is not cast.

I agree about possible ticket sales, as would Copeland, but so sad to think that talented dancers have to wait for injuries to get anywhere with ABT I also feel that dancers like Semionova has wonderful technique but lack the emotions, as several of the other have in the company. Gone are the days of prima ballerinas I sorely miss ... Reyes, Herrara

Ratmansky has a great deal of say into who dances Aurora in this ABT production. For example: Veronika Part danced Aurora on the opening night of the McKenzie/Kirkland/Chernov production. Part danced Aurora again in the few revival seasons that production had - she was actually much improved and technically fine the last time I saw her dance it. Since the Ratmansky staging opened, Part has only danced Lilac Fairy (with a simplified variation) in the Ratmansky. Clearly, Ratmansky or Part no longer feel she is appropriate as Aurora. Part is an experienced principal ballerina and a favorite of Ratmansky's.

I will not say whether or not Copeland can or cannot dance Aurora, since I have never seen her dance the role. I won't even opine if she should or shouldn't dance the role. In fact I haven't seen enough of Copeland dancing prima ballerina roles in full-length Petipa classics other than Gamzatti that I can confidently predict her success or failure. (I didn't go to her "Swan Lake" matinee) If Copeland is filling the theater and large numbers of new ballet fans see her, "Sleeping Beauty" and excellent ABT dancers like Sarah Lane, Cassandra Trenary or Isabella Boylston then that is a good thing. Win-Win.

If we are going to name a few Auroras, let's not forget the ever wonderful Ms. Murphy and the forgotten Ms Abrera, who waited forever to become principal!! I know many on BA are not fan of Ms. Seo, nonetheless still beautiful in her own way.

Reporting back from Detroit: .... - which we can't say for some of the seasoned principals! ....

After just having had the flu bug myself and still recovering, I do appreciate what Ms. Murphy must be going through and wish her a speedy recovery! I thank you as well for the review from Detroit onxmyxtoes but will have to differ from your opinion about the "seasoned principals", as I am sure Ms. Murphy did quite well before she took ill. I am sure all the "seasoned principals" did well or did their best, and the company also did well to make the shows enjoyable. I am shocked however, that with all the publicity of Misty's arrival that she should not end up in Detroit with the Aurora lead!! That must have caused quite a stir? I can understand for the Met, but this Detroit tour seemed all about Misty yet she was only a secondary lead?!

I didn't see these Detroit shows and therefore cannot be certain of my comment, but I have to say I am not a big fan of Mr. Whiteside, his technique is indeed up to par of Mr. Gomes yet he lacks emotion each time I have seen him at the Met, this is perhaps he didn't feel the connection with his given partners. I am glad to hear that management may be giving chances to the new generation and hope they do give opportunities to the others as well since I can see a few gems! Instead of spending their funds to import IMO!

Thank you for this wonderful share laurel! I have always enjoyed watching Sarah IMO she has always shown musicality and emotions in her performances! I know others have the techniques but they lack the fluidity again IMO. Sarah has always been able to achieve the sensitive musicality while others are aggressive in handling some of the choreography. I am not claiming to be an expert but I know what I love watching and Sarah shows such control over her arms without them looking "mechanical". I just hope the powers that be see her enough to finally promote her!!

Have been reading this thread and all I can think of is: Penny Wise Pound Foolish! Same reason why I am like a few on BA, and since I am in the area, to wait till I get to the theater to take my chances for some shows, I do feel bad for those whom have to travel a distance... just get disappointed!

I don't feel like Vishneva has shown any particular dedication to ABT that would ever put her in the running for a high level administrative post. Her appearances with ABT have been few and far between during the last few years.

Gomes, however, has been 100 percent dedicated to ABT, and I would be thrilled if he ended up in a leadership position after his dancing career is over. The problem is that I think you have to be tough and mean to lead an organizaton like ABT - hirings, firings, promotions, casting and so on - and I'm not sure that Gomes would ever want that kind of a job.

Agreed about Vishneva even though I love her as a dancer I can't see her in an administrative position nor do I think she would want to, Gomes would be wonderful! Now that Silicon Valley Ballet is shutting now.... Carreño?

Obviously very sad, but the San Jose Ballet has long experienced financial difficulties, and management 'issues'. I was wondering if they would cannibalize any of SFB's audience, but that didn't really seem to happen.

There used to be pie-in-the-sky talk about making Silicon Valley Ballet an adjunct to ABT, which, for Bay Area people, seemed a little presumptuous, and needlessly competitive - the more obvious thing to do would be to create an SFB II company that could provide soloist opportunities/experience to promising younger dancers, and perhaps be slanted towards development of contemporary ballet choreography.

I second this idea and if so, it would be nice to find these dancers joining SFB ll, it is always sad to see these situations come up with dancers having no voice about it, I wish the best to the company!

A dear friend in CA just sent this along to me, not sure if anyone on BA is aware but this is so sad to hear, also shocked since it is in Silicon Valley!! Yet again, money is the factor and art is sacrificed

<http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_29610629/silicon-valley-ballet-shuts-down>

Yes, Big surprise. Happy for both. Just a wild thought. What are the odds that Sarah Lane might jump ship for Foggy Bottom?

Wow! Never thought of that or for that matter whom else will follow....!!! On a side note, I started this feed but it seems there is another feed under Washington Ballet, so if anyone else wants to continue with responses, it might be better suited under that feed since this news pertains to Washington Ballet more than under ABT?!

I'm very, very surprised Kent is leaving ABT. She seems beloved by so many dancers there who really value her teaching and coaching. So much for her running the summer intensive. Can't imagine Mckenzie is thrilled. And I'm also surprised Barbee is going to take the associate role there, reporting to her basically. Congrats to her though. Good to see another woman appointed AD.

This news was actually posted yesterday on another thread under ABT when I read the announcement in Washington Post Based on the article I am not as surprised as I am sure having her mother in the area for her children would make good sense?!

".........Kent grew up in Potomac, attended Winston Churchill High School and studied at Maryland Youth Ballet .... Her mother, who is the only surviving grandparent to Kent and Barbee’s children, lives in the area. That pull, and “not wanting to miss an opportunity that doesn’t come along often,” overrode her reluctance to leave a life she has adored since joining ABT’s corps de ballet in 1986, Kent said..."

Not sure if anyone else saw this but just announced on Washington Post!!! Along with her husband, Victor Barbee, who will become the Washington Ballet’s associate artistic director!

<https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/abt-star-julie-kent-is-washington-ballets-new-director/2016/03/07/e1f469ba-e49d-11e5-a6f3-21ccdbc5f74e_story.html>

I was wondering the exact same thing. Why not Scott? Or Forster?

Lane has also danced with Gorak, and quite successfully (Nutcracker, The Tempest....). If Cornejo has other commitments that now prevent him from dancing SB, why not pair Lane w/ Gorak, and partner Boylston with Forster. I think Forster may be a bit too tall for Lane and I think he'd make a wonderful Prince.

I second this and also curious about the comment on Cornejo with other commitments here?! Sorry if I sound ignorant here but isn't that what contracts govern for the season? Or do principals have a different set of rules?

Lane/Cornejo are still listed on the ABT site, but they're gone on the MET site (which tends to show casting updates before the ABT site). That really sucks. I'm guessing Cornejo has other commitments in July and cancelled the last week of performances (ala Gomes last season with Cinderella).

It's a shame they couldn't find another partner for Lane. I don't see how Copeland was allowed to dance Swan Lake with Whiteside (a guy who is a foot taller than her) but they won't let Lane dance with anyone not named Cornejo, Simkin, or Gorak.

ETA: before some people jump on me for using Copeland as an example, I didn't use it as a personal attack on her. I did it because both Copeland and Lane are of similar height (maybe Copeland an inch or half an inch taller) so I don't see why they couldn't have the same partners (both short AND tall). Yeah. I know it looks awkward when you partner is that much taller than you. But if I were a dancer I'll take awkwardness any day if it means I get one chance at a leading role on a big stage this year.

Lane is still listed for July 1st so maybe we still have hope? It did take me a while to locate the Met listing but finally see what everyone is talking about ... Side note: This may just be my old self with the new technology moving faster than me I don't like the new Met site as it gets confusing to locate lists compared to the old site!

I also did notice that Copeland is not on the list for the SB listing for the season, so perhaps after Detroit they will see ticket sales to make that decision for NYC? I too am not saying this in a good or bad way, just sad to see Lane replaced as she is and always has been a beautiful dancer IMO, my family and I loved her last in Spectra! I am not one for tricks and instead I love the emotions a dancer can bring out in me, and honestly not many has been able to do that after the retired trio I, too, hope they change their minds about Lane!