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DANCE

America’s First Prima Ballerina Honored With A Quarter

The late Maria Tallchief — considered the country's first prima ballerina and one of the most notable Native American figures of the 20th century — was selected as one of two dozen people to be included in the U.S. Mint's American Women Quarters Program. - Axios

Why Is This Man Reviving A Ballet Company That Closed 27 Years Ago?

Christopher Marney: "My mum took me. We didn’t see the companies in London. We lived in Essex and we'd see London City Ballet at The Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, because that was the company that toured and would perform at your local theatre." And yes, his revived LCB will definitely tour. - Bachtrack

Great Contemporary Novels Are Being Turned Into Story Ballets

"Choreographers’ interest in tying ballet directly to literature is a notable turnaround from the 20th century’s Balanchine-influenced rise of abstract, plotless ballets. Using ballet vocabulary to retell the works of great writers is fraught with potential pitfalls. But the medium of dance can also illuminate a book afresh." - Dance Magazine

What Alessandra Ferri Has In Mind For The Vienna State Ballet

"It is one of the great classical repertory companies, but I would like to have a company that lives in the present and looks to the future. What is clear is that it has to be a glamorous company, that reflects its history and the city." - The New York Times

London City Ballet Went Silent In The 1990s, But It’s Back

This is an ambitious time to revive a ballet company, but on the other hand - crucially, when you've already secured the first three years' funding - why not? - The New York Times

How Akram Khan Found Himself Combining Classical Indian Kathak With Contemporary Dance

"That was accidental. … (At university) there were modules on contemporary dance. I didn’t know what the hell that was. But I decided because it’s dance, I’ll do that. I don’t think anybody really knows how to combine the two. ... My body got confused, and I celebrated that confusion." - San Francisco Classical Voice

Royal Winnipeg Ballet Gets A New Director

Elena Tupyseva was hired by the Moscow Department of Culture in 2012 for the position of CEO and artistic director of the City Theatre Ballet Moscow. - CBC

Breakdancing, In The 2024 Olympics, Is Out For 2028 Games

"The incredible feeling of recognition on the highest event stage has caused a glow through (the World DanceSport Federation) since its unveiling — but to know that it won't be renewed, even before getting a chance to throw down any moves, leaves a bitter aftertaste." - The Big Idea (New Zealand)

Alessandra Ferri Will Be The Next Director Of The Vienna State Ballet

The former prima ballerina at La Scala and international star will succeed Martin Schläpfer (who decided not to renew his three-year contract) at the start of the 2025-26 season. - Danza e Danza

Dayton Ballet’s New Artistic Director At Work

"It’s 10 a.m. on a Wednesday morning and 18 dancers are leaping, jumping and twirling in the Dayton Ballet studio. … 'Reach, reach, good!' Brandon Ragland says as he guides them, sometimes all together, sometimes in smaller groups. 'Keep the chest up!'" - Dayton Daily News

Washington Ballet Names A New Artistic Director

"Edwaard Liang comes to Washington after spending the past decade as artistic director of BalletMet, an esteemed midsize company in Columbus, Ohio. He is credited with nearly doubling the organization’s budget and choreographing 21 works during his time there, which also saw an expansion of BalletMet’s school." - MSN (The Washington Post)

American Ballet Theatre’s First Woman Artistic Director Takes The Reins

Susan Jaffe has some questions to answer, like how can ABT reflect society, and attract younger audiences - "and how do you make a historic institution feel relevant without becoming something it is not?" - MSN (Town and Country)

On Very Little Money, Belfast Has Developed A Lively Little Dance Scene

"Everywhere I go in Belfast people tell me there’s no lack of talent here, just opportunity, infrastructure and funding. There’s been no executive committee in the Northern Ireland government since February 2022. … Still, artists talk about the Arts Council of Northern Ireland like friends, rather than bogeymen." - The Guardian

Ratmansky And The Future Of Ballet

At a time when audiences are dwindling, and dancers are known more for their TikToks than their technique, it may be unwise to anoint as the art form’s future a choreographer so thoroughly steeped in ballet history. - The New Republic

Houston Ballet Tries Co-Artistic Directors

In July, Julie Kent joined Stanton Welch as co-director of the company, bringing with her the wealth of experience from her 30-year dance career at American Ballet Theatre and her seven years as artistic director of The Washington Ballet. - Pointe Magazine

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