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Transitioning And Growing In This Dance Life

October 8, 2014 by 4dancers

ballet dancer as swan with feathers
Nicole Teague by Rachel Malehorn

by Rachel Malehorn

When I feel the fall’s first chilly breeze, I know that change is in the air. Nature’s cycle strips leaves from trees, puts scarves on necks, and ripens pumpkins in their patches. Fall also finds the dancers of Milwaukee Ballet back in our studio, home after a long summer lay-off to prepare for our first production, Don Quixote. The process of getting back into the rhythm of daily class and rehearsal has made me reflect on the nature of transition. Some people thrive on change while others balk. In the flow of life, change is inevitable. What interests me is how we as people, and we specifically as dancers, can take advantage of these transitions – to seize any opportunity to grow.

dancer with blue
Susan Gartell by Rachel Malehorn

Student to Professional

Of the many transitions I went through moving from student to professional dancer, one of the most challenging and least anticipated was navigating my first summer lay-off. As a student, I had spent my summers attending summer intensive programs, which prepare a young dancer for a professional career. But once I had finally landed my dream job, and had just finished my first year with the Company, how should I spend the summer months?

My first lay-off was very confusing for me: on the one hand, I had freedom! I could do whatever I wanted – I was cut loose from the rigid discipline binding me during the season. But after only a few weeks of this wide-open schedule, I realized that I was basically addicted to routine, and felt disoriented, rudderless, and in need of some kind of structure. Also, 21 weeks is a long time to subsist without income, and without regular ballet classes, getting back in shape was extremely difficult. Ever since that first summer, I have dedicated myself to answering the question: what does a dancer do when she’s not dancing full time?

This can be a difficult question to answer for people who have spent the majority of their childhoods in single-minded dedication to their art form. When I made the transition from student to professional, it became apparent that only I could determine my life outside the studio. I began asking my colleagues what they did during the summer and received many different suggestions. Eventually, I was able to craft my summer into a time for college courses at a local university, summer dance projects like Terpsicorps in Asheville, North Carolina, traveling, yoga, camping, and adding to my photographic portfolio.

Recently, I asked three of my fellow dancers from Milwaukee Ballet what they did this summer, and got some great answers. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Career, Dance Photography Tagged With: Alana Griffith, career transition for dancers, dance photography, don quixote, Marc Petrocci, milwaukee ballet, Milwaukee Dancers' Fund, Rachel Malehorn, summer lay-off, Valerie Harmon

See The Royal Ballet – At The Movie Theater?

October 15, 2013 by 4dancers

Sarah Lamb and Edward Watson in The Royal Ballet production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, to music by Joby Talbot, with set and costume designs by Bob Crowley. © ROH / Johan Persson, 2013.
Sarah Lamb and Edward Watson in The Royal Ballet production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, to music by Joby Talbot, with set and costume designs by Bob Crowley. © ROH / Johan Persson, 2013.

If you’ve ever wanted to experience The Royal Ballet – now’s the time. In the next few months you’ll have three opportunities to see this amazing company at the movie theater.

“The Royal Opera House Ballet Series” offers three different ballets – Don Quixote, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Nutcracker at cinemas nationwide.

We talked with a representative from Fathom Events (the company responsible for pulling this series together) and asked a few questions about the process…

How did the idea for this series get started?

Fathom Events has broadcast other ballets from other companies in previous years but never in an entire series. The opportunity to bring the splendor of three ballets from London’s Royal Opera House to the US was something that could not be missed.

How did you choose the ballets that would be shown?

We wanted to bring ballets that audiences in the US rarely get to see performed by such a predominant ballet company.  Carlos Acosta’s Don Quixote is a unique performance that no one outside of London would be able to experience without traveling to the Royal Opera House itself. Additionally, The Nutcracker is a timeless holiday favorite that whether it’s your first Nutcracker or 100th, we knew that the Royal Opera Ballet would wow audiences.

The Nutcracker (2013) main imageHow is this type of experience unique in terms of attending a dance performance?

Movie theater audiences are given a front row seat to all of the performances at an affordable price! It’s the next best thing to being there live. Additionally, the production isn’t just a static camera filming the stage. There is a whole production team directing the broadcast which includes a wide range of camera angles and shots including close-ups.

The Royal Opera House Ballet Series brings so much more than just the ballet itself. Audiences will get a special behind-the-scenes look at the Royal Opera House and The Royal Ballet as well as exclusive cast interviews.

What upcoming performances do you have in store for audiences?

For the remainder of 2013, Royal Opera House Ballet Series has three upcoming ballet performances.

10/16 – Don Quixote
11/19 – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
12/17 – The Nutcracker

Fathom has an array of other upcoming performing arts programming including “The Met: Live in HD,” Broadway shows, concerts and more. Visit FathomEvents.com for all of the latest programming news.

Here’s a clip from Don Quixote to give you an idea of what this series is like…

Disclosure – 4dancers received compensation for promoting this series

Filed Under: Editorial Tagged With: carlos acosta, don quixote, fathom events, the nutcracker, they royal ballet

Review: Treasures Of The Russian Ballet (DVD)

June 18, 2012 by 4dancers

by Catherine L. Tully

If you love the Russians in ballet, this is something to see.

I was thrilled to have the chance to review Treasures of the Russian Ballet, which features Bolshoi and Kirov performances from the 50’s and 60’s. The complete works are not here, but some unbelievable pieces have been saved for us to see all these years later…

The ballets include: The Stone Flower, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Giselle, Gayaneh and Don Quixote–but that’s not all. You’ll get to experience ballerinas such as Galina Ulanova and Maya Plisetskaya on “film” and see why they commanded attention back then–and  why they are known to this day.

I was fascinated to watch the choreography–it was so different. It seems like watching older choreography almost has the same appeal as seeing brand new movement–it has been so long since these patterns have been used that it is fresh and exciting. And of course, the emotion exhibited by these dancers is legendary.

The DVD runs 81.58 minutes and I enjoyed every single moment of it. A great piece to add to your library of dance videos.

Here’s a sample for you:

 

Filed Under: 4dancers, DVDs, Reviews Tagged With: Ballet, ballet dvd, bolshoi, don quixote, galina ulanova, gayaneh, giselle, huri soloviev, kirov, maya plisetskaya, russian ballet, russian ballet dancers, swan lake, the stone flower

10 Questions With…Lucas Segovia

November 7, 2011 by 4dancers

 Today on 10 Questions With… we have Lucas Segovia from the Joffrey…

Lucas Segovia

1.  How did you become involved with dance?

I took my first ballet class when I was 16, after a friend of mine invited me to one of her dance shows. I liked it very much, and I gave it a try. I never stopped since then.

 2.  What are you currently doing in the field?

I am currently dancing with The Joffrey Ballet, where we just finished a new production of Don Quixote and we are about to start working on Nutcracker, among other pieces in the season. The company has a wide repertoire, so we are always working on different things.

3.  Would you share a special moment from your career with readers?

One of the most special moments so far for me was receiving an award in Buenos Aires, my hometown. The “Premio Clarin” is a very important award and it was a dream for me to get it.

4. What is the best advice you have received from a teacher or mentor?

The best advice I got was from my mentor. I was about to leave the country into the unknown and he told me “live and work like there is no tomorrow and have the strength to accept your decisions.” I’ve been trying to follow that path ever since. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 10 Questions With... Tagged With: buenos aires, don quixote, joffrey, joffrey ballet, julio bocca, lucas segovia

Attend The Joffrey Ballet’s Don Quixote-Themed Master Class!

October 9, 2011 by 4dancers

If you have the time–this looks like too much fun to pass up! After all, it isn’t every day you can learn one of the variations from Don Quixote! Check it out…

The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet is offering an exciting Don Quixote themed master class taking place on Monday October 17 at 5:30 pm.

This open class is designed for all levels of students, from youth to adult and will be taught by Ericka Mac, a multifaceted dancer and performer who is well versed in Don Quixote anthology. In the first part of the class, Ericka will provide a brief history of the Don Quixote story and choreography. The second part of the class will incorporate a fun barre warm up choreographed to Don Quixote music and students will also learn Kitri’s sassy variation from Don Quixote.

The class will be held at the Joffrey Tower on 10 East Randolph Street in downtown Chicago. The class is $15 for adults and $10 for students with a valid college ID. Please contact reception@joffrey.org or call 312.784.4600 to reserve your spot today! Don’t miss out on this unique class! Visit http://joffrey.org/dqmasterclass for more information.

Doesn’t it sound terrific? If you have a second–spread the word!

Filed Under: Editorial Tagged With: don quixote, joffrey ballet, joffrey master class

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