Post by Rebecca King, Corps de Ballet
Opening weekend was a huge success as everyone anticipated. I took some footage on the Flip camera to bring you behind the scenes of Fanfare. Hearing the orchestra in the pit again for the first time in two years was an exhilarating experience that was felt by every person on stage and in the audience. I hope you enjoy. Until next time…
Post by Sara Esty, Corps de Ballet
Hi everyone! Well I am happy to report that Miami City Ballet had a successful and fun trip to NYC for City Center’s Fall for Dance festival. It was an honor to share the stage with so many different and amazing companies. Merce Cunningham Dance Company opened the evening with an interesting and powerful piece, which was eye opening for all. A personal and crowd favorite was a company called Gallim. Their dancers were not only incredible and gave off the most amazing energy, but they were really nice and genuine people!
The whole experience of being back in New York was special for all of us. There is just something about that city – the sparkle and excitement presents a magical feeling that we all felt and made for really special performances. Here is a video of our journey. Enjoy! I hope you have had fun coming along with me for the past few weeks on The Road to City Center. Until next time!!!
Preparing for The Neighborhood Ballroom with the Esty twins.
Wigs, robes, tutus, and bikinis in a dressing room can only mean one thing: Bugaku! The Company is performing this George Balanchine piece in Program I of the 25th Anniversary Season which opens today! Sara Esty, Zoe Zien, Ashley Knox, and Leigh-Ann Esty had a chat about what it’s like to dance in the corps of this erotic ballet, and who was present during rehearsals.
Don’t miss the first program of the most exciting season yet, which also includes Jerome Robbins’ Fanfare and George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations.
Post by Rebecca King, Corps de Ballet
Here we are! Day one in Adrienne Arsht Center, kicking off our 25th Anniversary Season! We just completed our first, of two, dress rehearsals. It is taking a little bit of time to get back into the swing of things; like not having a mirror, wearing costumes, and having stage lights shining down on us. The Fanfare costumes are so beautiful and full of color! We are looking forward to debuting this ballet for our Miami fans tomorrow night!
I took a few photos to bring you behind the curtain on our rehearsal day.
Looking out on the house from the stage.
It has been so long since we have seen seats in the pit! The orchestra will be here tonight!
The dancers practicing choreography after class, before rehearsal.
Stay tuned for some video footage I have taken, coming soon!
We are so fortunate to have the very person on whom George Balanchine choreographed many ballets as our artistic director — Edward Villella. The dancers often talk about how amazing it is to learn and rehearse a ballet with him because of all the insight he has and, of course, because he is the original! For Bugaku, the company had a double wami! Not only did they rehearse with Edward, but also with Allegra Kent, who was Edward’s partner when Mr. Balanchine choreographed the piece.
The original principal dancers in Bugaku, Edward and Allegra, sat down for a chat and reminisced about being a part of history.
Miami City Ballet will perform Bugaku in Program I of the 25th Anniversary Season – October 15-17 at Adrienne Arsht Center, November 12-14 at Broward Center, and November 19-21 at Kravis Center. For ticket information click here.