tothepointeNEWS
ABT Promotions
At the end of a very successful spring season for American Ballet Theatre at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, Jared Matthews and Yuriko Kajiya were promoted to soloist position. These two artists were featured in Dancer Magazine's Backstage with...Jared in the January '07 issue and Yuriko in the September '07. Other ABT dancers promoted to soloist are Kristi Boone, Misty Copeland and Sarah Lane.
The Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography
Choreographers Luciana Achugar (NY), Yannis Adoniou (CA), Nora Chipaumire (NY), Kate Weare (NY) and Nami Yamamoto (NY) have been awarded Choreographic Fellowships by the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography (MANCC) at Florida State University for the 2007-2008 academic year. The recipients were selected through a national screening process, and will each receive approximately $11,000 to conduct choreographic research in the dance and technology facilities at Florida State University.
The mission of MANCC is to raise the value of the creative process in dance by (1) providing a model of support for professional choreographic creativity within a comprehensive research university, (2) providing choreographers access to a stimulating environment where experimentation, exploration and life-long learning are both valued and encouraged, and (3) providing opportunities for the students, staff and faculty, the community of Tallahassee and the national dance field at large to engage with the creative process in dance.
MANCC (pronounced man-see), is located in Tallahassee, Florida. MANCC shares the dance facilities of Montgomery Hall with the Department of Dance on the Florida State University campus. Montgomery Hall includes six large dance studios, a 400-seat theater, black box, audio lab, recording studio, computer and media lab, classrooms, offices, dressing rooms and conditioning studio for dancers. To learn more about MANCC, visit www.mancc.org.
Tyann Clement and Ian Casady - Guest Artists
Tyann Clement, soloist of the Houston Ballet, and Ian Casady, principal dancer of the Houston Ballet, will appear as guest artists in the Victoria Ballet Theatre's production of "The Nutcracker." The performances will take place at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts in Victoria, Texas on December 6-9, 2007.
Joey-Lynn Mann and Eddy Tovar - Guest Artists
Joey-Lynn Mann and Eddy Tovar, principal dancers of the Orlando Ballet will appear as guest artists in the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker." The performances will take place at the Riverview Theatre in Shreveport, Louisiana on December 8 and 9, 2007.
Milwaukee Ballet
The Milwaukee Ballet opens its season with Stephen Mills' nationally acclaimed "Hamlet," November 1-4, 2007. Mills' "Hamlet" has a 21st century-style feel, complete with men dressed in Armani-inspired suits and female dancers in cocktail gowns. The dancers reveal the story of Hamlet's troubled romance and the inner tormented thoughts of a man who vows to avenge the death of his father in a two-act ballet that is truly unique.
As a flashback from Hamlet's deathbed, "Mills creates movements that voice the inarticulate - despair, grief, madness -to ring depth to each leading character," praised Dance Magazine. The intense theatrics, metallic surfaces, translucent fabrics and the haunting, richly textured music of nationally acclaimed Philip Glass make this an unforgettable performance.
"We're thrilled to have this world-class production travel to Milwaukee," said Michael Pink, artistic director of the Milwaukee Ballet. "If you were impressed with Mark Godden's adaptation of Mozart's "Magic Flute," then I feel confident that you will be equally impressed with this production of 'Hamlet' featuring the haunting music of Philip Glass."
"Hamlet" runs November 1-4, 2007 in Uihlein Hall of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water Street , Milwaukee . Tickets to "Hamlet" start at $22. To order call 414-273-7206 or visit www.milwaukeeballet.org.
Jeanne Ruddy Dance
The legacies of German expressionist pioneer Mary Wigman and American modern dance legend Martha Graham will converge in a unique intersection this fall, when Jeanne Ruddy Dance, founded by former Graham principal Jeanne Ruddy, joins forces with The German Society of Philadelphia to present an exclusive lecture demo/ performance that will launch the creative process for the company's 2008 season. Showcasing renowned German choreographer and dancer Susanne Linke with JRD company members, the event is part of a two-week exploratory development workshop that Linke is leading in preparation for choreographing her upcoming world premiere.
Slated for Saturday, October 6 at 5pm at the German Society of Philadelphia's Albert & Hete Barthelmes Auditorium, 611 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia, the event will provide an extraordinary behind-the-scenes glimpse into the process of dance, as well as rare insight into the German expressionist dance movement and the evolution of modern dance. Moderated by Jeanne Ruddy, JRD artistic director, excerpts of Linke's work will be interspersed with discussion about her philosophy/approach to the art of dance, and how it is rooted in German expressionist dance. The evening will also honor Brigitta Herrmann and Helmut Gottschild, founders of Gruppe Motion Berlin (who, like Linke, evolved from the Mary Wigman School of Dance) and Manfred Fischbeck, for their outstanding contributions to modern dance in Philadelphia. A champagne reception for high level ticket holders will follow, in The German Society's historic and elegant Horner Library at 6:15pm. For more information on Jeanne Ruddy Dance, please call Nina Zucker Associates at 610.667.0706 or email at nzapr@aol.com or visit www.ruddydance.org.
Dawn Crafton Dancers Perform at Walt Disney World
The Dawn Crafton Dancers became stars of their own Disney show on Monday July 16 when they took the stage at the Galaxy Palace Theater in Magic Kingdom Park. They traveled from Gaithersburg, Maryland, to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to take part in Disney Magic Music Days.
The dancers sharpened their performance skills during a workshop taught by a professional Disney performer. During the workshop, the students learned techniques to ensure success in the professional working world.
Dance groups from throughout the country apply to perform each year as part of Disney Magic Music Days. Once selected, ensembles are given the opportunity to perform at the resort for an international audience of theme park guests.
Disney Magic Music Days is part of Disney Performing Arts Programs, which offers band, choral, dance and auxiliary performers the opportunity to learn, perform and compete at the Walt Disney World Resort. For more information visit www.DisneyPerformingArts.com or call 1-800-603-0552.