Ballet Beats
By The Ballet Herald
The full transcription of each of these short episodes can be found on BalletHerald.com.
Ballet BeatsJul 15, 2021
Mikko Nissinen's The Nutcracker Returns to the Stage
The Citizens Bank Opera House welcomes the return of Boston Ballet with Mikko Nissinen's The Nutcracker at the end of the November.
To see a trailer of the upcoming production, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Ballet West's Dracula Opens the 2021-2022 Season
If you're in the Salt Lake City area and wanting your fix of Bram Stoker's thrilling tale come to life, Ballet West's Dracula, choreographed by Ben Stevenson, may be just the event to attend.
To watch a trailer video, please visit The Ballet Herald.
The Sarasota Ballet Returns with New World
After nearly 22 months, The Sarasota Ballet returns to live theater performances at the end of October with their program titled New World featuring Martha Graham's Appalachian Spring and Ricardo Graziano's Sonatina.
To watch a trailer for the program, please visit The Ballet Herald.
PNB Dance Film Festival Launches
Artistic Director Peter Boal announces the PNB Dance Film Festival (managed by Price Suddarth), bringing a showcase of digital dance films to new audiences.
To find a link to submission details, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Alejandro Cerrudo Review: A Maverick of Our Time
Alejandro Cerrudo’s It Starts Now premiered at The Joyce Theater on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, and the innovation on the table was as refreshing as reaching for a jacket when feeling the first crisp autumn breeze in all of the evening’s captivating, transcendent, and silky glory.
To see photos and watch a trailer for this performance, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Queensland Ballet 2022 Season
Along with the announcement of the Queensland Ballet 2022 Season comes the news that Li Cunxin will stay on as Artistic Director for another three years.
To see photos and a season trailer, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Artists Climate Collective: Creating Powerful Art to Action
Artists Climate Collective, founded by Keaton Leier, Madeline Bez, and Charlotte Nash, is a project that seeks to bring a group of artists together to connect on the topic of the climate. Their first digital release is called Art to Action.
To view photos of this new piece, please visit The Ballet Herald.
In Balanchine's Classroom Review: A Story of an Insatiable Genius
Like a calming spirit embracing the energy of pre-performance jitters, George Balanchine’s voice fills the dark backstage footage that opens Connie Hochman's In Balanchine’s Classroom. This is the beginning of a one-and-a-half hour journey through the history, the thoughts, and – as the title suggests – the classroom of a man who changed the landscape of ballet in the United States.
To view photos and the trailer for the documentary, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts Names ABT Its Official Dance Company
The three year designation by Segerstrom Center for the Arts begins in December 2021 with ABT’s annual engagement of Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker.
For photos, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Sonia Rodriguez Retires from National Ballet of Canada in March 2022
32 years after joining National Ballet of Canada, Sonia Rodriguez's farewell performance with the company will be dancing Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire.
To see images and videos of Sonia, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Christopher Bruce CBE, Houston Ballet’s Associate Choreographer, Steps Down
After 32 years with the company, Christopher Bruce CBE has made a joint decision with Houston Ballet to leave.
To read more details, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Ballet Arizona 2021-2022 Season
Marking its 36th year, the Ballet Arizona 2021-2022 Season celebrates the return to a complete live performance season for the company. The well-rounded programming features state and world premieres, full-length classics, neoclassical and contemporary repertoire, and closes with the company's popular annual outdoor series at the Desert Botanical Garden.
To see images related to the programs, please visit The Ballet Herald.
American Ballet Theatre 2021 Summer Celebration
With registration on their website, the American Ballet Theatre 2021 Summer Celebration is free to stream. The dancing portion of this fundraising event will feature recently filmed works by Silas Farley, Helen Pickett, and James Whiteside as well as excerpts from Alexei Ratmansky’s Bernstein in a Bubble and Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet.
To watch a trailer video and find the registration link, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Miami City Ballet 2021-2022 Season
Titled Sunshine in Motion, the Miami City Ballet 2021-2022 Season marks the company's 36th and Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez's 10th.
To see images related to the programs, listen to a Spotify playlist, and watch a trailer video, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Hope Muir: New Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada
Hope Muir has been appointed to the leadership role after a two-year international search, taking over the reins held by Karen Kain for over 15 years.
To watch a video introducing Ms. Muir, please visit The Ballet Herald.
BAAND Together Dance Festival features NYC Companies
From August 17-21, 2021, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Hispánico, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and New York City Ballet will share The Restart Stage at Damrosch Park over the course of five performances featuring four distinct programs.
To find images and ticket links for these performances, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Chamber Music Series Highlight: Paulo Arrais' Triade
In its continued campaign to bring art to people’s homes, Boston Ballet released the next episode of its Chamber Music Series – Dreams and Reflections – which exposes the audience to the nuances of Johannes Brahms and Richard Wagner with beautiful piano playing and accompanying choreography.
To watch the trailer video, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Like Neverland, Quarantine Makes You Forget
"Over a year without lobby bells, waiting in long bathroom lines, and bumping into friends I seemed to only see at the ballet, being inside a theater made me nervous. Like Neverland, quarantine makes you forget and my basic theater etiquette was in a dusty file next to 'how to send a fax'."
To read more opinion pieces, please visit The Ballet Herald.
A Touching Tribute to Karen Kain
Distinguished leaders, choreographers, and dancers who have worked by her side and under her leadership create a video tribute to Karen Kain whose reign as Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada ends on June 30, 2021.
To watch the video, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Creativity Brings Joy to PNB (A Pacific Northwest Ballet Review)
Resilience is certainly present in Pacific Northwest Ballet’s last program of their season - featuring premieres by Christopher Wheeldon and Edwaard Liang alongside Alejandro Cerrudo's PACOPEPEPLUTO - gloriously showcased on the smiles of their dancers doing what they do best.
To view images and of Pacific Northwest Ballet from this program, an excerpts Christopher Wheeldon's Curious Kingdom and Edwaard Liang's The Veils Between Worlds, and streaming information, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Dance’s Heartbeat Returning to Lincoln Center (An iHeartDanceNYC Review)
Before the pandemic you would never expect to see New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Broadway and Dance Theatre of Harlem all sharing the same bill together unless you were in Lower Manhattan.
To view a promo video for iHeartDanceNYC, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Getting Reconnected (A Boston Ballet Review)
Boston Ballet’s Process & Progress program features pieces choreographed across time zones and continents. Called a “long-distance collaboration” by one of the choreographers, themes of connection and human relationships run through all four pieces. Boston Ballet’s digital show leans into our synchronistic feelings of isolation, mixing them with ripples of hope.
To view images of Boston Ballet in this program's works and find ticket information, please visit The Ballet Herald.
A Fresh Perspective on Al Fresco (A Texas Ballet Theater Review)
Performed in an open-air theater, Texas Ballet Theater's Al Fresco is a collection of classic and contemporary pieces, including selections from Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty as well as the world premiere of a pas de deux choreographed by TBT Artistic Director Ben Stevenson O.B.E.
To read the full transcript for this review, please visit The Ballet Herald.
A Celebration of History and a Leap Into the Future (A Tulsa Ballet Review)
"The Celebration" is Artistic Director Marcello Angelini‘s beautifully crafted “sentimental journey” of his twenty-six years in leadership, a visual tale of diversity executed by a spirited generation of talent.
To view images of Tulsa Ballet in "The Celebration", read an interview with choreographer Jennifer Weber, and watch a clip of the rehearsal process, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Romeo & Juliet is Lovely and Logical (A San Francisco Ballet Review)
Sergei Prokofiev’s score for Romeo and Juliet is perfect. With sweeping and weeping strings accompanied by menacing horns, it is William Shakespeare’s story told by instruments. Helgi Tomasson takes a classic approach to the score by setting it in 16th century Verona, and although first appearances convey a middle-of-the-road approach, subtle tweaks intertwined throughout help kick the storytelling up a few notches.
To view images of San Francisco Ballet in Romeo & Juliet, a trailer for the performance, and streaming information, please visit The Ballet Herald.
An Interview with Haley Wright & Ryoko Tanaka: A Tale of Two Talents
From within the studios of American Repertory Ballet in New Brunswick, New Jersey and reaching beyond, Haley Wright and Ryoko Tanaka have been granted an opportunity to show their faces and talents thanks to a commission awarded to them by leadership in the company. Merge the gifts of an accomplished pianist and former ARB2 dancer (Haley) with a current company dancer and budding choreographer (Ryoko) and the result is Saudade which premiered at the launch of the company's 2021 Digital Spring Season.
To view a video of Repeat (the prequel to Saudade), view photos of the artists, and to find how to watch the premiere, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Reflections in the Studio, Nature, and Beyond (A Texas Ballet Theater Review)
The Poetry of Expression II was filmed on location across Dallas and Fort Worth and includes two separate and distinct performances – Bloom, a traditional ballet in six parts choreographed by Andrew Silva, and Horizon, a sci-fi narrative ballet with multiple vignettes choreographed by Jiyan Dai.
To view images of Texas Ballet Theater in these works and find streaming information, please visit The Ballet Herald.
An Interview with Gavin Larsen: A Wordly Wise Ballerina
First time author and long time ballerina Gavin Larsen and I talk about some of her motives and processes behind writing her memoir - Being a Ballerina: The Power and Perfection of a Dancing Life. The book will be released on April 27, 2021 by University Press of Florida.
To view photos and videos of Ms. Larsen and to read an excerpt from her book, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Jewels Brings Elegance, Sass, and Romance to Your Home (A San Francisco Ballet Review)
Did you know that George Balanchine's full-length ballet of Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds are tied together by their source of inspiration – a collection by Van Cleef & Arpels? Each echos the spirit and essence of the gem they represent and also serves as Balanchine’s demonstration of distinct styles of a broader ballet vernacular.
To view images of San Francisco Ballet in Jewels, a trailer for the performance, and streaming information, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Reflections on Rep 4 (A Pacific Northwest Ballet Review)
Pacific Northwest Ballet's triple bill is nostalgic, sublime, and flirtatious. A true mixed program, with choreography by Donald Byrd, Alejandro Cerrudo, and Alexei Ratmansky, it has a bit of everything and maybe when you see a glimmer of your reflection on the screen, a bit of you.
To view images of Pacific Northwest Ballet from this program, an excerpt from Cerrudo's Future Memory, and streaming information, please visit The Ballet Herald.
An Immersive and Surreal Dance Experience (A Texas Ballet Theater Review)
One part Night at the Museum and one part The Twilight Zone. Although some viewers might see The Poetry of Expression: Part I as a music video and sightseeing tour, this digital release is yet another example of how companies that have typically been tethered to a theater and the separated experience of viewing dance from the detached plane of the audience can use more immersive digital media to introduce their art to new audiences and provide their artists with new and imaginative modes of storytelling.
To read the transcript of this episode and find streaming information, please visit The Ballet Herald.
The Power of a Collective Force (A Grand Rapids Ballet Review)
Grand Rapids Ballet's Collective Force is a program in which the imaginative visions of the creators, the physical athleticism of the artists, and the overriding strength of many pieces come together to make a stronger whole.
To read the transcript of this episode and find information, please visit The Ballet Herald.
A Cornucopia of Classical Ballet (A Boston Ballet Review)
From the well-known to the more obscure, Boston Ballet's The Art of Classical Ballet curated by Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen exposes and educates the audience about classical ballet.
To view images of Boston Ballet in this program's works, a short teaser video, and ticket information, please visit The Ballet Herald.
A Ratmansky Celebration: An American Ballet Theatre Review
A Ratmansky Celebration was captured live from City Center, although to an empty house. It features excerpts from Alexei Ratmansky's The Sleeping Beauty (Rose Adagio), Seven Sonatas, and The Four Seasons (Summer pas de deux), as well as the premiere of Bernstein in a Bubble.
To view images of ABT in this program's works, a trailer for the event, and ticket information, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Going to the Edge
For most dancers, going to the edge artistically means throwing caution to the wind and becoming totally and unapologetically vulnerable. It demands reaching down into the inner depths of your soul, the dancer, grabbing onto that thing that has sustained you through your career, lighting it on fire, and watching it burn.
To learn about Willie - the educator, choreographer, performer, and inspirational author of this episode - and to read more opinion pieces from professionals in the dance industry, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Signature Series is a Capture of Artistic Investment: A Tulsa Ballet Review
During the past twelve months, very few arts organizations in the world can lay claim to a consistent and continuous performance season. Tulsa Ballet is part of this elite group that has successfully presented live shows to audiences, albeit small ones. They have also continued to offer a digital companion to those who cannot make it to the theatre whether for health or distance reasons, surely a trend that will stick for the foreseeable future.
This year's Signature Series featuring works by Andrew McNicol, Yury Yanowksy, and Jennifer Archibald so wholly exemplifies the company's continued excellence.
To view images of Tulsa Ballet in this program's works, a preview of What If?, and ticket information, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Examining the Spectrum of Energy: A Ballet Arizona Review
The energy that the title of Ballet Arizona's digital program references is both understated and amplified in the two works presented; The Sleeping Beauty conveys the more conservative spirit of tradition while Abrazo is a physical expression of vitality.
To find streaming information for Ballet Arizona's ENERGY program, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Pursuit of the Perfect Ballet Body
Many students and professionals suffer from ballet body image issues in their endeavors to achieve the "perfect" look - whatever that even means. Unfortunately, this is not a fleeting struggle but one that often lasts a lifetime.
To learn about Cherilyn, the author of this editorial, and to read more opinion pieces from professionals in the dance industry, please visit The Ballet Herald.
Charisma and Chiaroscuro: A Sarasota Ballet Review
The pairing of Donizetti Variations and Amorosa will make you fall in love with ballet for its grace, athleticism, drama, and pure beauty. And as has been proven throughout this non-traditional season, Sarasota Ballet has once again seized on the opportunity to show the world beyond their municipal boundaries that they deserve their spot on the ballet map.
To view images of Sarasota Ballet in this program's works, a preview of Donizetti Variations and Amorosa, and streaming information please visit The Ballet Herald.
Must Love Elo: A Boston Ballet Review
The program Celebrating Jorma Elo is a culmination of fifteen years of Elo’s work being performed by Boston Ballet. And at an hour and a half, with eleven different pieces featured, the price of the program is worth every penny.
To view images of Boston Ballet in some of Jorma Elo's works, a preview of the BB@yourhome season, and streaming information please visit The Ballet Herald.
The Untold Story of Marta Cinta, the Ballerina with Alzheimer's
I read an article in the Spanish newspaper El Español and felt that this story needs to be told in English. The original article was written by Jaime Susanna and I admire and praise the investigative journalism done in regards to this story. After a video by the organization Música Para Despertar went viral, many questions were raised about who the ballerina with Alzheimer's really is.
We first published this story on November 15, 2020. To view archival images, inspired artwork, and the video that sparked attention around the globe, please visit The Ballet Herald.