stuben

So funny you should mention this as I was just thinking the same after looking at the casting, it is strangely quiet with no news anywhere about him, I had wondered if he has chosen to return to Russia?

I do so agree canbelto! Things have never changed with these issues as far as I can remember and I wish they would, personally my issue with their exchange policy and have had so much trouble in the past that I have purchased the week of and taken chances. I am wondering if this is a Met issue with ABT or if this is something decided by the company. It is a good thing I don't live far and can get down to the theater to get the seats I wanted, and in my age and issues with walking I can't help but think of those who are like me and have to venture far or they can't get the shows or dancers they want to see, for the sake of technicality! In this fast pace and digital age, there has to be a better way!

Just thought to question about her age as it doesn't seem to be showing on her ABT posted bio, and it seems this Dance Spirit article stated her birthday as 1999? Which makes her 17, still very young but no match to Herrara: <http://www.dancespirit.com/uncategorized/gisele-bethea-shines-as-an-abt-apprentice/> Not to be of disrespect to your thoughts Classic_Ballet, but Paloma did truly joined at 15 and I don't believe any have met that age since, and IMO may be a good idea to let these girls mature mentally too! Watching Misty's documentary, it seems the animosity from the older dancers towards younger dancer may be a factor too, and perhaps a consideration by the artistic? Thus far, I believe, Waski has been the only one who has joined at 16 to be the closest to that age, as stated on her bio page? This was also something ABT presented recently the LA gala: < With this said, I do agree seeing home grown dancers hopefully being nurtured to grow in the company vs imports is a pleasant change!

I agree Kaysta, especially with bad eyes I need to pick my own to be sure I can see I might be wrong at this, but I am guessing the ease of seat choices is part of a permanent arrangement with the State Theatre? Due to the fact that NYCB has them as a permanent home vs the ABT considered more of a touring company renting space from the Met?

I have been wondering since last Met season about Hallberg, but learned of his injury on another thread and wish him well, we do miss his stage presence in the US! I wonder what they are planning for Ms. Paris as well, I don't seem to see her name pop up since her promotion either?! She has done quite a bit of principal roles mentioned on her bio and I wonder why she doesn't seem to have been placed in any this year? She is quite a beautiful dancer IMO, more emotions than Shevchenko and hope to see her given the chances. This probably should be on the DC thread, but I thought quite interesting since we are tossing our hats in for "in waitings"; a few friends of mine was able to see one of the DC performances with Waski as the Candide fairy and had this to report back: Waski is very impressive; her musicality, fluid use of arms, and delicate footwork as Candide left the other dancers a bit in the dust! Another whom I .... and my granddaughter hope to see more of this coming season

It is very interesting to hear that DC separated the principals as such since I just went to the ABT site and they are all together on one page, except the Guest Artist page with just Ferri?!

Wow! This is interesting news Natalia! And second the saddest about Halberg, it is interesting you brought this up as I have been wondering about the lack of news on him of late too! You must be right about the "permanent" part since I have seen news on Bolle in Italy more than here, even though he has one foot in each continent and therefore I didn't have any query, but very interesting observation! Thank you!

On a side note and not sure if this is the thread to post, but while I was on the ABT site looking for Natalia's list I noticed too that the March program isn't listing Turkey performances? Wondering if that has been removed due to lack of ticket sales?

Safe travels! Enjoy the show in Zurich Have to agree about the ogre as I was not a big fan from the Met performance and thought that was a bit over the top myself

Thank you Natalia for your detailed review and excited to hear about the SL premiere in Zurich! Bon Voyage ! I am just wondering where these ladies are listed as I can't seem to find any on the ABT site? My grand-daughter is a fan of Waski and only showed this to me so far: <https://www.instagram.com/p/BBD5zF2Pfk5/?taken-by=powi295> Wish I was able to get down there but I am lucky I wasn't buried in the blizzard! NYC is no better than DC with some areas, but I have to say thankfully the warm sun is melting it all away!!

Would be wonderful to see La Scala in DVD or at the cinema! I believe this video was a combined from a three day event, if my memory serves me right, I was there for the interviews and enjoyed seeing the Jewels danced by Brandt, Waski, DeGroft and Post. Glad to see Works & Process on Youtube so I can catch up on missed programs!

It is too bad, IMO, that politics has played into the arts yet again!

Interesting observation and comments as I have often wondered what happens after these competitions, and mainly why I never recommended my granddaughter to pursue. I just feel there is so much pressure on these young children already in school, let's hope I did the right thing! I have read some of the bios on ABT site and seems that even if you don't win in the YAGP, with talent you can get a nice contract as in the case of Waski who seems to have joined at a very young age? : <http://abt.org/dancers/detail.asp?Dancer_ID=276> At age 12, Waski placed in the top twelve at the 2008 Youth American Grand Prix, junior division in Philadelphia.

I believe you are correct choriamb as I feel that the ABT Studio Company seems more of an individual entity since they do announce on their web page that they supply dancers to all companies including the Main Company: Alumni More than half of the dancers in ABT’s main Company started their career in ABT Studio Company, including Principal Dancers Isabella Boylston, Herman Cornejo, David Hallberg, Hee Seo and Cory Stearns and Soloists Misty Copeland, Joseph Gorak, Alexandre Hammoudi, Christine Shevchenko, Devon Teuscher and Roman Zhurbin. Dancers from ABT Studio Company have also gone on to join such notable companies as Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Houston Ballet, Staatsballet Berlin, The Washington Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Orlando Ballet, Alberta Ballet and The Royal Ballet. The apprenticeship, I feel, is different since that is part of the Main Company and listed on the Main Company website?! I am guessing there is still that possibility that if an apprentice doesn't meet whatever standard they need to remain, the corps contract may not be a sure thing?

Just saw this announcement on NYTimes and excited to hear this part below of Ms. Barnett's comment when questioned by NY Times: <http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/13/arts/dance/american-ballet-theater-names-kara-medoff-barnett-executive-director.html?smid=tw-nytimesarts&smtyp=cur&_r=0> .....She said it was too soon to discuss plans for the company. But when asked if Ballet Theater might join troupes, like the Bolshoi Ballet and the Royal Ballet, that have expanded their reach through live simulcasts to cinemas, she said that it was worth considering. “I think that the digital space, in general, is one of those growth areas that A.B.T. should be actively exploring,” she said. “Dance in cinema, dance in movie theaters, is part of a larger exploration that needs to happen as we think about growing audiences, diversifying audiences in this century, and I think that’s just one of many, many opportunities for A.B.T.’s brand, A.B.T.’s dancers, A.B.T.’s repertoire to be exposed to and reach more people.”..

Thank you both vrsfanatic & Natalia for your clarifications, my apologies and probably should have phrased my comment differently as I grouped the Studio Company & Summer Intensives under the JKO umbrella. Nonetheless, I still believe, as in any business, the gratitude to Mr. De Vita for his years of service, and wishing Ms. Harvey all the best in this new adventure.

No matter what our own opinion may be I just feel that after years of service to any company, ballet or otherwise, the person deserves a gratitude from whom they spend their life and energy at. Good or bad the school did produce such names as Boylston and Hallberg and many others who have gone onto wonderful companies around the world. The part I like is the hope that this will continue to product more "homegrown" dancers for us. I am sure many have seen this video I found about the school, and another recent interview about one such homegrown: < < I believe and hope that you are correct of this to be a move in the right direction

Just saw the same article I do wish Mr. De Vita the best in his retirement and Ms. Harvey a successful career with the school. Many wonderful dancers have come out of this school and hope they will have a nice farewell event!

Not sure if anyone on BA has seen this but it was nice to see some old familiar faces in these lovely photos taken through the years, would be nice to see a few more of these revivals! <https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/exhibit/on-american-american-ballet-theatre/QAIC9jcVr8ZbKg?position=21%3A0>

I stand corrected abatt Thanks for correcting and I am learning to scroll down as I saw the picture and completely missed the bottom half of the link! My eyes saw the price list and never even thought to look further. My apologies to ksk04 for misinformation! Thanks for catching this abatt

ksk04 I thought you might be interested to see this, but we will never know why Veronika pulled out of her commitments for the shows in Segerstrom. It is interesting though to know she will be dancing on the east coast in CT: <http://connecticutballet.org/index.php/performances>.Glad that you got Gillian as a resplacement

I saw this change to Gillian at least a day ago if not more, I thought it was a bit odd myself that she would be doing back to back two days, but then again it didn't surprise me since it is of course Gillian Guess I haven't been paying much attention since I am sitting here on the east coast. On the ABT website Veronica is only in one show now Sat. evening. Good luck ksk04! Either way if you have never seen this ballet it was fun for my family and hope it is fun for everyone in CA.

Will miss this at BAM this year, just when a dear friend from England plans to visit and see this here on the east coast Guess she will have to chase this down in CA next year, assuming this remains the future home for this Nutcracker.

Thought Herrera retired and had her final performance back in her home country? But so glad to her still dancing ... it seems with these posts... Giselle no less! Not sure if this was her last Giselle though, either way I'm happy that she has found her way back home, wouldn't it be funny though if part of the tour is the US!? Looks like perhaps they're just retired from ABT? <https://instagram.com/p/-NdrashSaQ/> <https://instagram.com/p/-S4f-ZhSQN/>

I am not their consumer but loved the photos myself and thought they are very much the Vogue look. IMO, the objection of "not taken by someone familiar with dance" isn't an issue especially since it is a fashion house and not a ballet studio. The idea they used ballet dancers is nice since I think this brings attention to the ballet world. I see so many dancers do worse things to show themselves off, this is at least a nice upscale company. Actually just saw this of Royal lll and McCune they posted and thought these two nice looking dancers are well represented in fashion <https://instagram.com/p/-PM9xpAszz/?taken-by=clubmonaco>.