The first-floor dancer lounge was buzzing with excitement as young ballerinas waited for their Freed of London pointe shoe fitting. “She was counting down the days,” said one of the ballet mothers. This is such an important time in a dancer’s life. After so many years in ballet slippers, students finally get into pointe shoes! Although the fitting itself may take extra time and effort with Freed’s careful attention to detail, it’s all worth it in the end. Soon these young dancers will be experts on pointe!
Company dancers Ezra Hurwitz and Michael Breeden bring you this new MCB blog feature! Michael seems to know everything about ballet, so they set out to see who could match his skills.
See In the Night, Black Swan Pas de Deux and The Four Temperaments at Open Barre this weekend.
Performances:
Friday, November 13, 2009 – Reception 6:30 p.m. Performance 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 14, 2009 – Reception 2:00 p.m. Performance 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 14, 2009 – Reception 6:30 p.m. Performance 7:00 p.m. with after party at Aero Bar.
Post by Tricia Albertson
The ballet dancers you see on stage have spent most of their lives training to make the barely possible seem effortless. Because there’s such a big gap between appearance and reality, it comforts me in our regular theater performances to imagine that because I can’t see the audience, the audience can’t see me. Of course I know this is not true, but when I look out into the darkness, I can imagine dancing for anyone. Definitely, I imagine dancing for my (less critical) friends. It’s a nice illusion, and it helps me to be calm.
In our studio theater, this is an illusion I can’t rely on. Every time we do a series in our studio theater, I get a bad case of nerves. It’s easy to feel vulnerable. The audience is so close. I imagine being put under a microscope. Every step, every effort, every expression is visible; it feels like there is no room for error. So, I start out a little anxious. Then, the first show comes to an end and I hear the audience applaud, and I realize that I’m not under a microscope. I’m at home!
The studio is where I spend at least 35 hours each week. These studio theater shows may be our most appreciative audience; certainly, in the studio, I feel that our closest friends and family have come over for a special showing, a showing at which I’ll have the chance to share a piece of myself. Here, in person, is the audience I have so often imagined watching in our regular season. In the end, I value our studio theater shows as an opportunity to perform in an intimate setting that allows me to more directly connect to the audience.
See Tricia perform this weekend at Open Barre.
The 1940s were a nostalgic time in American history that brought us D-Day, Betty Grable, WACs and the Andrews Sisters. For Fort Lauderdale philanthropist Rose Miniaci they are a Sentimental Journey.
Rose met, dated and fell head-over-heels for her late husband Alfred Miniaci. Sacrifices were made by many and when duty called, dating was put on hold. Listening to swing music allowed young women like Rose to pass the time while eagerly awaiting the return of their loved ones who were fighting overseas.
To pay tribute to those days of young love, big band sounds, and victory gardens, Rose Miniaci has generously underwritten Miami City Ballet’s production of Company B. The Paul Taylor masterwork is performed to carefree World War II hits by the Andrews Sisters contrasted with the melancholy realities of soldiers at war.
“I have such fond memories of those bygone days, as a young woman in love dancing the night away with Alfred in the dance halls and night clubs of New York City to the sounds of big bands and the Andrews Sisters. The music and beauty of Company B takes me back to those times.”
A pillar in philanthropic and social circles, Rose’s charitable heart is legendary. Her financial assistance runs the gamut from charitable and educational organizations to individuals, medical and philanthropic institutions, museums for the preservation of our history, countless charitable organizations, cultural charities, hospitals, religious, educational and scientific research, music and the arts. The scholarships she awards each year help students of all ages to excel and achieve success in what many thought was an impossible dream. Her generous donation to Nova Southeastern University contributed to funding the school’s Library Research and Information Technology Center and the Alfred & Rose Miniaci Performing Arts Auditorium.
“Rose has helped so many organizations in South Florida and we are so grateful for her support of Miami City Ballet and our season opener,” says Ana Codina Barlick, president of MCB’s Board of Trustees. “Her commitment, dedication and passion have made an enormous impact on MCB and our community.”
Miami City Ballet will perform Company B during Program I at Broward Center on November 6-8 and at Kravis Center November 20-22.
Post by Kristin D’Addario
There is something special about being in the theater for a dancer. The energy changes throughout the company when we’re there. The moment you set up your spot in the dressing room, there’s almost a sigh of relief…”We’re finally here.” I feel like I’ve just arrived at home. Well, that’s probably because I bring my whole life to the theater! I pack up like I’m going away for the weekend bringing snacks, tea, a coffee mug, a towel, a good book or two, a candle (I’d bring incense if I could, but that might just bother the other girls!), and of course all of my makeup, hair supplies, and shoes. Needless to say, the morning we actually arrived at the Arsht Center, I realized how long it took me to get ready and was almost late! I forgot how much it entails to prepare and I’ll have to break myself into performance season again.
Our weekend of shows at the Arsht Center marked the beginning of the season for me. Even though we’ve been working and rehearsing for two months, I feel like we’ve officially started now. This is what we’ve been working for after all. Being onstage is a completely different feeling. Even in class I feel like a different person. The seats may be empty, but I still feel like I’m performing. There are no mirrors in front of me to dissect every little detail visually. Onstage, I have no choice but to feel everything. I have to approach class differently than I would in the studio. Everyday feels like a fresh start because even though I may look the same, my body feels completely different from one day to the next and I have no mirror telling me that I have the same arabesque I did yesterday. I love it because it’s a clean slate. Every class, every rehearsal, and of course every show.
The shows were awesome that weekend. Everyone looked beautiful and genuinely happy to be performing again. I particularly enjoyed watching Company B come together. MCB has done Company B before, but I wasn’t here for it and seeing the piece as a whole in the theater was definitely exciting. It’s great in rehearsal, but with the white marly, the lights, and of course costumes and makeup, it added a whole other element! Seeing the first cast perform it put a huge smile on my face and I couldn’t wait to do it myself the next day. I had the privilege of dancing this Paul Taylor work on Sunday afternoon and I enjoyed every minute of it. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to perform it again when we go to Broward this weekend.
After a nice weekend off, I am ready for another weekend in the theater. The Broward Center holds a special place in my heart because I’ve had a few firsts in this theater. Broward is the place that I’ve performed some of my favorite parts for the first time, including Rubies, In the Upper Room, and Dew Drop in The Nutcracker. I’ve always called Broward Center “my theater” so I’m looking forward to being back and also visiting my favorite sushi place across the street.
See Kristin perform at “her theater” – Broward Center – this weekend November 6-8. The Company will perform Allegro Brillante, Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux, Company B and Symphony in Three Movements. Click here to get your tickets.
Photo by MCB Dancer Leigh-Ann Esty
Post by Crista Villella, Ballet Mistress
The Nutcracker Intensive rehearsal week has come and gone, and I am happy to report that the kids know all of the choreography and proper rehearsal behavior. Every year they get better and better! My angels are close to perfect and my soldiers can count the music, which is really difficult to do. I couldn’t be more impressed! Diana, one of the Marie’s, just came from Cuba and doesn’t understand English. I don’t speak Spanish, but amazingly we communicate quite well despite the language barrier and she is doing great work. Mariana, the other Marie, knows every part in The Nutcracker. She may just have to take over my job one day! The two Fritz’s are best friends and they are so funny. As sweet as they are, they are always testing to see how much I will let them get away with. They certainly have the gift of charm. The best part of my day is when I see the little ones in the hallway and they light up and say, “Miss Crista!” as they run to give me a hug. What could be sweeter? I have a pretty cool job.