dirac Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 An interview with Aaron Watkin, the new director of the English National Ballet. Quote Yet her reign was marred by unsubstantiated claims of bullying, while the wider ballet world is currently reeling from a series of sexual abuse allegations and eating disorder and mental health revelations that has exposed the ugly heart of this most exquisite of art forms. Add to that a challenging financial climate, a rapidly shifting cultural landscape and the persistent misapprehension that ballet is an exclusive art form, and Watkin, 54, has a formidable task ahead. “ENB is in fantastic shape,” he says in his light Canadian drawl. “But there’s no doubt we have to work hard at changing perceptions.” Link to comment
dirac Posted February 17 Author Share Posted February 17 San Francisco Ballet gets a $60 million donation. Quote The gift, from an anonymous donor described as a longtime backer, is intended to help support the creation of new work and to strengthen the Ballet’s financial security, the company announced Thursday. Related. Quote The vast majority of the gift, $50 million, will be used to bolster the company’s endowment, currently valued at about $108 million, and to help finance the creation and acquisition of new works. The remaining $10 million will be used to help cover operating costs in Rojo’s first few seasons. Link to comment
dirac Posted February 17 Author Share Posted February 17 Richmond Ballet presents "Dracula." Quote Audiences can expect new theatrical elements including flying brides, special effects and a ghostly carriage. Link to comment
dirac Posted February 18 Author Share Posted February 18 Q&A with Mikko Nissinen about Boston Ballet's production of "Raymonda." Quote Q. I know you’ve been thinking about “Raymonda” for more than a decade. How are you adapting to deal with the insulting stereotypes? A. The [original] story is not appropriate for today, with its caricatures, the abduction of a woman. One character tries to impress Raymonda so he orders his slaves to dance for her. But I made the story very simple. It’s a coming of age of this young girl. In the first scene, she is celebrating her name day and excited to be with her fiancé. He’s called to the Crusades and leaves her a scarf. She has a dream, he returns, and they get married. Minimal changes, but the way it’s reimagined is very different. And there is an almost overwhelming amount of classical dancing, like this endless, incredible pearl necklace, with one more beautiful variation after another. Link to comment
dirac Posted February 18 Author Share Posted February 18 Yuan Yuan Tan bows out at San Francisco Ballet. Quote Indeed, the Wednesday, Feb. 14, performance of the “British Icons” program sold out almost instantly upon the announcement last month that Tan, the company’s longest-ever serving dancer and a role model instantly recognizable to ballet lovers around the world, would retire from the company after a performance of the evening’s second ballet, “Marguerite and Armand.” But this arrangement was not enough for Reviglio and her petition’s many signees. “It’s an insult,” Reviglio said of Artistic Director Tamara Rojo’s unwillingness to give Tan a full-evening farewell. Link to comment
dirac Posted February 18 Author Share Posted February 18 An article in Teen Vogue about the labor unrest at American Ballet Theatre. Quote According to AGMA, only about 30% of artists at American Ballet Theatre earn a sufficient income from their salary to sustain themselves. Structural changes within ballet, in which systemic inequities across class, race, gender, and accessibility persist, continue to be called for. The strike authorization vote underscores that dancers are artists, but they’re also workers; their labor contributes value to a company — and they are standing together to ensure that compensation and workplace well-being better reflect that. Link to comment
dirac Posted February 18 Author Share Posted February 18 The Indianapolis Ballet presents a Valentine's Day-themed program. Quote WRTV hosted the Indianapolis Ballet to talk about "Love Springs Eternal," happening Feb. 16-18 at the Tobias Theater in Newfields. Link to comment
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