MoMo

1 hour ago, fondoffouettes said:

That's true, but that episode was from back in February, and I wonder if she's still aiming to return this winter. When she appeared on Conversations on Dance in late June, her plans sounded much more vague (at 3:55 in this transcript).

My gut is that she won't return for Nutcracker this winter, and I wouldn't be surprised if she only appears again with ABT in a very limited capacity, if at all. I don't see her returning to Petipa or similarly demanding repertoire.

I'll be very interested to see if she appears in the casting for Costa Mesa.

I could be wrong, but I seem to recall that she said she would try to come back Fall of 2024, not this year and no Nutcracker this December. 

3 hours ago, FauxPas said:

Jake Roxander shared a charming and touching story on Instagram today.

It seems that his ABT Puck costume in "The Dream" runs in the family...

https://www.instagram.com/p/CybXuwgA2o3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Just when I thought I’d seen all ballet stories that move me, Jake’s story came up! Lovely story! ❤️

3 minutes ago, choriamb said:

Janet Rollé, their former executive director, announced her departure roughly 4-5 months ago.  Regardless of her exact stance on the contract's terms, her departure in the midst of negotiations has probably prolonged the discussion.

I agree. Poor timing. 

3 minutes ago, AB'sMom said:

I wonder if that’s why there haven’t been promotions yet—no new contracts to sign.

That is my thought. 

ABT Dancers are posting on Instagram that they and their Union AGMA have been in negotiations for over five months  on an expired contract. They request ABT Management to bargain a fair contract. Fall Season begins next week. 

3 hours ago, matilda said:

I love that Jaffe is putting Roxander in such big roles, and also Magbitang in Puck, but they shouldn't be the only corps men being pushed. I like Sung Woo Han but I don't think he's principal material or an "MVP."  Where is Jared Curley?! Patrick Frenette?? 

Does ABT have such limited rehearsal time they can't train anyone else for these roles? At NYCB, you can often see rehearsal footage posted on Instagram where someone is learning a role in the background. For example, we know Maxwell was learning Rubies and both MacKinnon and Bologna were rehearsing the Emeralds lead even though they didn't get cast. The company has been stretched thin during a couple COVID outbreaks but generally you do not see the same problem at NYCB that we're seeing at ABT now. 

I am disappointed that neither Jared Curley or Patrick Frenette were chosen to learn Etudes or the Dream and are relegated to regular Corps. work. It must be extremely discouraging to them. 

17 minutes ago, ABT Fan said:

Murphy and Trenary are now doing their Titania’s back to back; previously they alternated. So, it’s possible one of them had something come up and needed the change. Doesn’t help my frustration though. But, my other frustration, and some others’ too, is that for whatever reason Bell was withdrawn the only solution they came up was giving Camargo all four shows. I positively love Camargo! His Oberon last Fall was sublime. So was his Romeo. But, despite how much I adore him, or any dancer, other dancers (especially the ones who need and are ready for more) need to be cast as well. Having one dancer carry a ballet for all performances cannot be the answer when someone gets injured. And, heaven forbid Camargo gets sick or injured, what will they do then? You have Curley, who would be fab as Oberon. And, I’m sure others. Anyway, rant over. 😊

I agree with you completely. I am a baseball fan and on a team, they have more than one player who can play any position, for just this reason. I wish I knew the thinking behind this decision. It’s frustrating and disappointing. 

30 minutes ago, abatt said:

This is a recurring problem at ABT.  Carmago also had to do all performances of Oberon last season because Stearns was injured.  This year it is to replace Bell.  Whiteside has done Oberon (and very well) but I guess he is no longer able to do this due to age and injury.   Poor Carmago.  I hope he can make it through. ...

They are operating now on a shoestring of very few men who are young and healthy and able to step into a lead role.  Get your house in order ABT.

I agree. There are a number of ABT men who are more than ready to step Into some Principal roles. What are they waiting for? 

I hope ABT will announce casting for Nutcracker performances at Segerstrom  in Orange County, California, soon. I have my tickets already, even though I don’t know casting. 

2 minutes ago, eduardo said:

Thank you, @ABT Fan! That video shows your point 👍 and also I realize that my favourite is the second lead man, especially for those beautiful jumps in the Mazurka.

I could be wrong, but I seem to recall the “second lead man” was called “the turning boy”, in a production I saw. I saw David Hallberg perform it. 

I wish ABT would announce promotions after a performance, as Angel Corella does with Philadelphia Ballet. It is thrilling and audience gets to participate. 

3 hours ago, nanushka said:

It's definitely possible. She could be waiting until after the fall season, to continue to see how certain dancers do in those circumstances as she continues to get more familiar with the company. But she could also be waiting to announce promotions until the dancers are back for the new season — on Sept. 12, it sounds like — rather then when they're still dispersed. I think we just can't know what she has planned, as she has no obligation to stick to the patterns of the previous administration. Promoting soloists can be particularly risky: while there's something to be said for having a few permanent soloists, one also doesn't want to clog up the rank with dancers who aren't going to continue to advance.

I believe that because it is Susan’s first time announcing promotions since her appointment as Artistic Director, she wants to be precise and perform it in her own way. We just need to be patient. 

48 minutes ago, California said:

Judging from today's Instagrams for several ABT dancers, they are back in the studio today. Hope they make some announcements of promotions!

I think just a few are back in the studio. Some of the dancers are still on vacation.  I think they are coming back September 12th, based upon other’s posts. I agree they would announce promotions then. 

I am hoping they will find an additional venue for the three weeks the lost at the Met. 

3 hours ago, ABT Fan said:

I keep checking their website for a promotions announcement.....it must be coming any day now. The suspense!

Separately, there were questions on this site about who is running their social media with Conor Holloway having departed. Their roster now says corps dancers Cy Doherty and Erica All:

https://www.abt.org/the-company/staff/

ABT comes back from vacation in three weeks, for Fall rehearsals. I think promotions will be announced then. 

28 minutes ago, abatt said:

Aren't the ABT employees currently on vacation.  This must be a clip of her from many years ago.

I think this post of Misty is from 2019, the last time she danced Manon. And yes, ABT is on vacation for the next four weeks. 

On 8/7/2023 at 7:41 AM, FauxPas said:

Regarding Patrick Frenette - I agree wholeheartedly on the deserving, handsome and princely.  Tall - I don't think so.  He is just about medium height and rather on the shorter side.

Jonathan Klein is also medium height.

Same issue with jake Roxander and Tyler Maloney, who both are on the shorter side.

Historically, Keven McKenzie had a preference for promoting tall male dancers (who resembled him in his dancing days).

Examples:  David Hallberg, Cory Stearns, Marcelo Gomes, Alexandre Hammoudi, Aran Bell.  Thomas Forster is also tall but took a long time to promote.

Herman Cornejo, the reigning senior short virtuoso, was held back too long due to his height and perceived inappropriate look for danseur noble roles.

I checked on Patrick’s height with a knowledgeable authority. He is six feet tall, not on the shorter side. 

Just now, bingham said:

Aran posted pictures of them in a Tokyo ballet gala . Would this possibly mean that they will be dancing together @ ABT in the coming seasons? I hope so.

They danced together in music to Tony Bennett in 2019. I saw them at the ABT Holiday Gala that year. It would be lovely if they danced together again. 

On 8/7/2023 at 7:41 AM, FauxPas said:

Regarding Patrick Frenette - I agree wholeheartedly on the deserving, handsome and princely.  Tall - I don't think so.  He is just about medium height and rather on the shorter side.

Jonathan Klein is also medium height.

Same issue with jake Roxander and Tyler Maloney, who both are on the shorter side.

Historically, Keven McKenzie had a preference for promoting tall male dancers (who resembled him in his dancing days).

Examples:  David Hallberg, Cory Stearns, Marcelo Gomes, Alexandre Hammoudi, Aran Bell.  Thomas Forster is also tall but took a long time to promote.

Herman Cornejo, the reigning senior short virtuoso, was held back too long due to his height and perceived inappropriate look for danseur noble roles.

I have to disagree about Patrick’s height. I am 5’2” and have stood next to him at the Stage Door. He is at least 5’11 or 6’. My late husband was 5’10 and Patrick is taller than him. 

32 minutes ago, ABT Fan said:

It isn’t just what Jaffe wants. They need men tall and strong enough to partner the tall women who are already principals - Teuscher is probably the tallest. Murphy, Shevchenko, Hurlin and even Seo (to a lesser degree) all need tall or tallish men - so five women. Also Misseldine, a current soloist. Klein, Frenette, Roxander, Maloney, would all be too short to partner them. Those four would do well with Brandt, maybe Trenary, definitely Coker. 

Ok. I know that tall men are needed. I thought Frenette was taller. So which tall men does ABT have that are ready for promotion? 

1 hour ago, FauxPas said:

Regarding Patrick Frenette - I agree wholeheartedly on the deserving, handsome and princely.  Tall - I don't think so.  He is just about medium height and rather on the shorter side.

Jonathan Klein is also medium height.

Same issue with jake Roxander and Tyler Maloney, who both are on the shorter side.

Historically, Keven McKenzie had a preference for promoting tall male dancers (who resembled him in his dancing days).

Examples:  David Hallberg, Cory Stearns, Marcelo Gomes, Alexandre Hammoudi, Aran Bell.  Thomas Forster is also tall but took a long time to promote.

Herman Cornejo, the reigning senior short virtuoso, was held back too long due to his height and perceived inappropriate look for danseur noble roles.

Thank you for this. As for “tall”, I am 5’2, so Patrick, Jonathan, Tyler, et. all seem tall to me ( Lol). So I guess it’s all relative. It depends on what Susan is looking for to fill in the ranks. 

35 minutes ago, MoMo said:

I would also include Patrick Frenette. Very deserving. 

Additionally, he is tall. handsome and “princely”. He will be able to partner the taller ballerinas. And he has the skills to handle the upcoming repertoire, including Etudes. ( All those difficult double tours and entrechats sixes)! 

6 hours ago, FauxPas said:

Usually at this time of year we get an announcement of roster changes.

Don't the new contracts start in the Fall?  Wouldn't any new contracts include a change in company status?

We know that Gabe Stone-Shayer and Joseph Gorak aren't coming back.  Connor Holloway is leaving for destinations unknown to us.

I haven't seen any reports from dancers' social media announcing that they are moving on.

The loss of two soloists leaves room for at least two promotions if not more.

I think Jarod Curley, Jonathan Klein and Zimmi Coker are definitely ready.

Carlos Gonzalez, despite somewhat mixed responses, seems to be in the running.

Erica Lall has her admirers.  Jake Roxander is definitely soloist material already but only just started with the company.  

For others its more urgent.

Obviously, any announcements must be backed up by an official announcement by the company or announcements on artists' public-facing social media.

I would also include Patrick Frenette. Very deserving. 

1 minute ago, nanushka said:

She’ll look so tiny next to him! If you’re there, please let us know how they do!

Unfortunately, I am not there. I saw this on ABT website. ( It’s very hot there). 

Thomas Forster replacing Herman Cornejo tonight as Albrecht in Giselle at Wolf Trap, with Skylar Brandt. ( Herman was shown rehearsing yesterday. Hope he is ok).