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The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Or, Why I Still Love Nutcracker)

December 1, 2014 by 4dancers

atlanta ballet's nutcracker
Alessa Rogers as Marya in The Nutcracker, 2012. Photo by C. McCullers

by Alessa Rogers

For most ballet dancers, the holiday season means Nutcracker as much as it does Santa and presents under the tree. It’s a tradition- something that we know will be there, that we can count on every December. But we can also count on that dreaded moment of walking into any coffee shop, bookstore or mall from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day and hearing the Waltz of the Flowers playing on repeat. It’s enough to drive many dancers absolutely crazy. Nutcracker is not without its flaws and the first Nutcracker rehearsals of the year- some as early as September- are always the scene of good-natured grumbling. Dancers love to hate Nutcracker. But despite the endless repetition, the strain on our bodies after many consecutive shows, being away from our families for the holidays and the music that we can’t get seem to get away from, maybe this year we should have a different perspective on Nutcracker, one that’s a little less Scroogey.

Benefits Of Nutcracker For Dance Companies

After all, ballet companies depend on Nutcracker to keep them afloat. 72% of total tickets sales for the entire 2013-2014 season at Atlanta Ballet came from Nutcracker tickets. That’s over two million dollars in revenue that can go towards putting on financially risky but perhaps more inspiring (to dancers) repertoire later in the season. While we might wish that audiences would crave those expensive mixed rep shows and cutting-edge choreographers as much as we do, maybe we should try to be more grateful that Nutcracker, at the very least, fills the seats.

Atlanta Ballet
Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker. Photo by C. McCullers.

Last year, almost 50,000 people came to see Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker. In an economy where support of the arts can be sluggish that is incredibly gratifying. People want to come to this ballet! So while I might groan when I hear the Sugarplum music on every other commercial on TV, when the curtain goes up I have to remember that the people in the audience chose to be there and it is my job to make it memorable. It should be an honor to the dancers that the audience chose to spend their holiday at the ballet. This might be the only ballet they see the whole year and it might very well be the first time they have ever seen ballet at all. So regardless of if this is my 30th and last Nutcracker of the season, it is something that I remind myself before every single show- that for somebody out there, it is their first time. You never know how one performance might affect and inspire someone. Think of how many of us dancers got our first exposure to ballet by seeing the magic of Nutcracker!

Benefits Of Nutcracker For Dancers

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Editorial Tagged With: alessa rogers, atlanta ballet, benefits of nutcracker for dancers, christmas, dance companies, fox theater, sugarplum, the nutcracker

My “Last” Nutcracker

November 26, 2014 by 4dancers

Pacific Northwest Ballet dancers
Pacific Northwest Ballet corps de ballet dancer Jessika Anspach (center) with company dancers in Kent Stowell and Maurice Sendak’s Nutcracker. Photo © Angela Sterling.

by Jessika Anspach McEliece

The brisk fall air accosts my face as I push through the Phelps Center doors, home of Pacific Northwest Ballet. I scurry down the steps toward Mercer Street. I only have an hour. I only have a month, and some change…

An hour for lunch; a month till I have to say goodbye. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Editorial, Uncategorized Tagged With: ballet dancer, Jessica Anspach, pacific northwest ballet, pacific northwest ballet school, phelps center, professional dancer, stowell and sendak, the nutcracker

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

Interview With Tyler Christopher Jay

January 25, 2013 by Ashley David

dancer in forest
Tyler Christopher Jay
I “met” Tyler Christopher Jay on Twitter recently and after a short chat, thought he’d be great to feature on the site. He has a varied background in dance and theatre, and a lot of energy! Here’s more about his life in the arts…
1. How did you get started in dance?
I suppose it was just expected of me to dance. My mother was a dancer and taught dance, and my sister was a dancer so I was constantly at the studio. I think when I was 7 I finally was able to push my mother to let me start taking classes. At that time I started taking ballet, tap, and jazz and have taken many more different styles since then.
2. What made you pursue it as a career?

Well, its not my full career. I also make my career out of acting, and singing. The limelight has always been in me from my first dance class to going to see my first musical. For me, going into the arts was never a question. I always knew that I wanted to be onstage somehow. I also enjoy choreographing though and being behind the scenes. I specialize in musical theater choreography, but don’t mind teaching ballet, contemporary, or partnering.

 3. What are you currently doing?

Currently I am dancing with the Metropolitan Ballet for their 2012-2013 season in the Twin Cities; right now we are working on ‘Swan Lake.’ I also choreograph for a local theater company. 

4. What do you think is the most challenging aspect of a career in dance—and why? [Read more…]

Filed Under: 10 Questions With... Tagged With: dance, metropolitan ballet, pointe shoes, sleeping beauty, swan lake, the nutcracker, tutu, tyler christopher jay

My Grown-Up Dancer Holiday Wishlist

December 16, 2012 by 4dancers

by Nichelle Strzepek from DanceAdvantage.net

I’m the worst when it comes to gift requests. Just ask my family members. When the holiday gift probe starts going out, I generally shrug. It’s not that I’m too modest to solicit presents. Maybe I just have a poor ‘want it’ reflex. I rarely have something in mind when pressed. My mom says I’ve always been that way.

I do covet a few things though. Often they’re dance-related. So, when Catherine asked me to share my Holiday Wishlist, it wasn’t too hard to come up with 6 things. Should Santa want to leave these under my tree this year, I wouldn’t complain!

joffrey dvd

History Without The Boring

I saw Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance when it came to Houston last Spring and it’s definitely one I want to have in my dance library. This documentary immediately pulls the viewer into the origin story of Joffrey Ballet.

Over 50 years old and frequently on the cutting edge of ballet, the Chicago dance company has continued to rise and move forward despite all kinds of obstacles. The documentary is extremely engaging – a great film to share with students or those new to the dance world, but equally compelling for the dance aficionado.

And, because of my early support and sharing of the film’s release, I appear in the credits! Seriously, why is this not on my shelf already?

ballet necklaceBeauty On A Chain

Last year, Santa brought me Tina Tarnoff’s Great Dancers necklace, featuring Margot, Maya, Isadora, Anna & Martha in silhouette. The images are tiny reproductions of Tarnoff’s papercut series.

This year, I have my eye on her single pendant necklace depicting Sylvie Guillem in a marvelous back attitude. The classical tutu and antique-looking silver pendant base, is a romantic and lovely piece that’s sure to get compliments.

Daily Inspiration

There are always a few dance calendars that become popular around the holidays but Lois Greenfield’s Breaking Bounds wall calendars never disappoint.

The dancers, rather than any particular dance form, are the hallmark of Greenfield’s images, which are always beautiful, powerful, and mesmerizing. Breaking Bounds 2013 is a calendar that would inspire me every day of the month.

lois greenfield calendarlois greenfield photography

 

 

Say ‘No’ To Black

I’ll admit my comfy dance wardrobe includes far too little color. Jo+Jax to the rescue!

Their Let’s Move sweatpants remind me of candy or those bright and bold Crayola markers I loved using as a kid. I love the mint color, though they come in a vibrant purple too. I’d feel way more cute dropping my Kindergartener off at school in these, than black, navy, or charcoal yoga pants.

 

I’d Be Laughing At Clouds

The quintessential American musical classic, Singin’ In The Rain, celebrated its 60th Anniversary this year in theatres, on television, and now on disc.

singing in the rain collectors dvdThe Singin’ In The Rain: 60th Anniversary Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray/DVD Combo) includes 48 page hard cover production book with never-before-seen memos and photos, theatrical poster reproductions, documentaries and outtakes, and even an umbrella!

There’s also commentary by Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor, Cyd Charisse, Kathleen Freeman, Stanley Donen, Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Baz Luhrmann, and Rudy Behlmer. Oh, if only Gene Kelly were still with us to offer his thoughts!

Snow in Texas

dancer snowglobeYeah, pretty much the only snow I’m likely to see in Houston this winter is the kind that falls when I shake a pretty glass ball.

Ballet dancers and snow globes go together like peanut butter and chocolate. I know some serious collectors of these knickknacks. I’m not one of them, mainly because sparkly tutus don’t normally excite me that much.

The Dancer snow globe from CoolSnowGlobes is ballet bric-a-brac I can get behind though. Degas’ little chin-jutting, slightly hunched dancer has always been a favorite. Vermont artists, Liz and David, who develop a limited edition snow globe collection each year, craft this globe. There’s still no snow in sight, but that’s okay, it sparkles!

Crossed Off The List

I’ve already purchased a few of these delightful Nutcracker cards to give to some special dance friends this season, but I can’t resist including a link to their Etsy seller, The Artful Bumblebee. The artist, Deborah, is not a dancer but a fan of the art form. She beautifully captures the whimsy of The Nutcracker with an excellent eye for correct placement. I can’t wait to deliver season’s greetings with these sweet little cards but they can be ordered as posters, too, if you prefer!

nutcracker cards

Do you have any favorite dance gifts to share? Please leave a comment below!

Want to see what Catherine put on her list? Visit DanceAdvantage.net.

Filed Under: 4dancers, Dance Gifts Tagged With: ballet gifts, dance advantage, dance gifts, dancer snow globe, joffrey ballet, lois greenfield, singin in the rain, slyvie guillem, the nutcracker

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