As COVID-19 shut down schools and businesses across the world, just about every upcoming dance performance was canceled. Dancers who spent weeks (and sometimes months or years) rehearsing were suddenly unable share their work with live audiences. But our field is nothing if not creative. Many have quickly adapted and found ways to put their […]
It might seem like the majority of the American dance world moves to Vail or Jacob’s Pillow for the month of August, but there’s plenty to see elsewhere. From Royal Ballet dancers appearing in an intimate New York City theater to a new musical based on a Disney animated classic, here are the shows we […]
Small- to medium-sized companies based in cities outside dance meccas—New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles—are often written off as “regional,” or somehow lesser than their big city counterparts. But in recent decades, a few have defied such categorization as they’ve gained traction on the national and international scene. So how does a company build an […]
“Ballet,” said George Balanchine, “is woman.” Throughout his long choreographic career, he placed the ballerina at the center of the action, and all eyes were on her. There are numerous examples, from Mozartiana to Theme and Variations, Square Dance and Chaconne. In this sense, Balanchine was carrying on the tradition of Marius Petipa and other […]
Whether you’re a 2018 grad, a current student or you’ve been in the field for years, commencement speeches offer advice and encouragement for all of us. And when they’re given by dance luminaries, even better. Last Friday, Liz Lerman addressed the class of 2018 at Bennington College, and her inspirational message—that’s candid and even comical […]
In a crowded company class at Tulsa Ballet, Maine Kawashima stands out, and not just because of her tiny size. (She’s 4’11”.) The 22-year-old corps de ballet member is fiercely focused, repeating combinations over and over again with tireless determination. Once class is over, she keeps going, whipping out fouettés. “She is a technical wizard,” […]
A breath of fresh choreographic air is coming to Salt Lake City. Ballet West artistic director Adam Sklute has invited companies from across the country to join Ballet West for the first annual National Choreographic Festival, May 19–20 and 26–27. Over the course of two weekends and two different programs, premieres and recently acquired repertory […]
The following list is limited by where and when I was able to see dance. New Choreography (World, U. S. and company premieres) Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker’s Vortex Temporum, at BAM’s Next Wave Festival. Her group Rosas accumulates a fierce momentum shared by the band Ictus, playing composer Gérard Grisey’s score emphasizing the transformation of […]
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