Inside Peter Walker's Dance Scene in I'm Thinking of Ending Things

Based on the title, Netflix’s new film I’m Thinking of Ending Things sounds like it could be a typical breakup movie. Peel back one layer (there are many), and you’ll find quite the opposite: The Charlie Kaufman–directed thriller drama, based on the book of the same name, follows a young woman (Jessie Buckley) as she […]

News of Note: What You Might Have Missed in November 2019

Here are the latest promotions, appointments and transfers, plus notable awards and accomplishments from the last month. Comings & Goings Stella Abrera has been appointed artistic director of Kaatsbaan, effective January 1. Brett Conway and Laura O’Malley have been named co-artistic directors of SFDanceworks. They succeed founder James Sofranko, who took over the artistic directorship […]

A John Wick Spin-Off Centered on a Ballerina-Turned-Assassin Is Happening

When New York City Ballet soloist Unity Phelan appeared as a ballerina training to become an assassin in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum earlier this year, it could have easily been a one-off. This particular backstory has become prevalent at the movies over the last few years—take Jennifer Lawrence’s character in Red Sparrow and […]

Who is That Ballerina in the New John Wick Movie?

“New York City Ballet star appears in a Keanu Reeves action movie” is not a sentence we ever thought we’d write. But moviegoers seeing John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum will be treated to two scenes featuring soloist Unity Phelan dancing choreography by colleague Tiler Peck. The guns-blazing popcorn flick cast Phelan as a ballerina […]

18-Year-Old NYCB Apprentice Naomi Corti Talks About Her Big Break in Forsythe's Herman Schmerman

When audience members opened their programs at New York City Ballet’s revival of Herman Schmerman a few weeks ago, one name had everyone buzzing: Naomi Corti. Just an apprentice, she was dancing a featured role alongside principals and soloists in William Forsythe‘s challenging, go-for-broke choreography. How was this going to go down? Quite well, actually. […]

Arthur Mitchell's Memorial Was Both A Homegoing & A Homecoming

On Monday night, a memorial was held at Riverside Church to honor the life and achievements of Dance Theatre of Harlem co-founder Arthur Mitchell. With nearly three months to process and grieve (Mitchell passed away on September 19) the atmosphere was not that of mourning as much as reflection, reverence and admiration for who he […]

Unity Phelan and Cassandra Trenary Look Beyond Fierce in This New Campaign

New York City Ballet soloist Unity Phelan and American Ballet Theatre soloist Cassandra Trenary spend every day making their hard work look effortless and graceful both in the studio and onstage. That’s exactly what makes them the perfect spokesmodels for the dance-inspired activewear line, Belle Force. Cassandra Trenary photographed by Adam Houston for Robert Riese […]

The Epiphany That Made Unity Phelan An NYCB Soloist

Just before a Sleeping Beauty matinee this February, Peter Martins announced the promotion of eight dancers at New York City Ballet. For devoted Dance Magazine readers, one name jumped out: Unity Phelan, who appeared on the cover of our January “25 to Watch” issue. For regular NYCB-goers, her promotion to soloist came as no surprise. […]