Watch Joffrey Rehearse with Wheeldon

August 19, 2014

Head’s up, bunheads: You might not be very productive tomorrow if you’re spending the afternoon anywhere near a computer. The Joffrey Ballet is inviting the world to watch its Swan Lake rehearsals with Christopher Wheeldon though a live stream on its YouTube channel from 11:30 am to 3 pm CST. Artistic director Ashley Wheater will be hosting the event and conducting brief interviews with Wheeldon and the lead dancers during rehearsal breaks.

 

This is not your typical Swan Lake. Set in the 1870s Degas-era Paris Opéra Ballet, Wheeldon’s $1.5 million production blends fantasy with reality, and even takes Act III to a cabaret. We can’t wait to see what rehearsals look like. Keep your eyes peeled for the company’s exciting up-and-comers Jeraldine Mendoza and Dylan Gutierrez, who’ve been pictured in the promo shots as Odile and Siegfried. The October performances will mark the first time the Joffrey has performed the classic ballet in its 60-year history—and I’m sure the company’s hoping this event will help to drum up some extra excitement.