10 Ballets For When You'd Rather Watch Your Literature

When American Ballet Theatre announced yesterday that it would be adding Jane Eyre to its stable of narrative full-lengths, the English nerds in the DM offices (read: most of us) got pretty excited. Cathy Marston’s adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel was created for England’s Northern Ballet in 2016, and, based on the clips that […]

What To Do When You All of A Sudden Have A New Artistic Director

When news reached the Limón Dance Company that Colin Connor was replacing longtime director Carla Maxwell in 2016, the tight-knit group experienced a range of emotions. “Everyone agreed that fresh energy would be a benefit to the company,” says veteran dancer Logan Kruger. But the excitement lasted only until the fear sunk in—there would be […]

Julie Kent on Why Directors Shouldn't String Dancers Along

One of the most crucial responsibilities of an artistic director is the development of dancers. Sharing the benefit of my experience through daily class and rehearsals is perhaps the most gratifying part of my work at The Washington Ballet. But artistic leaders also need to help dancers in the broader navigation of their careers. Whether […]

Doubling Down: Two New Initiatives Feature Women in the Studio and On the Stage

While there are more women making dance than ever before, the question still swirls: Do they have the same programming and mentoring opportunities as their male counterparts? This spring, Ballet West and the University of Southern California are choosing to tackle the question head-on, with performances and residencies that focus on female dancemakers. National Choreographic […]

Merce Cunningham is Going to Have the Best 100th Birthday Ever

Merce Cunningham would have been 99 years old today, and, as a present to the dance world, the Merce Cunningham Trust has announced a dizzying array of celebrations to unfold over the next year in honor of the groundbreaking choreographer’s 2019 centennial. “Merce liked saying he didn’t want to celebrate his birthday, and yet he […]

This Ailey Dancer Made a New Work for The Washington Ballet

Onstage, Clifton Brown is a force of nature. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer joined the celebrated company at 19, in 1999. In 2011, he left to dance with Jessica Lang Dance and Lar Lubovitch Dance Company before returning to Ailey last year. Brown has been trying his hand at choreography on the side, […]