Sterling Hyltin has been the Sugar Plum Fairy since 2006, but this season will be her final one. "One reason she gives for stepping aside is the desire to see younger dancers be given the same opportunities she had." - The New York Times
The Pulitzer Prize winner, who has been at the newspaper for 25 years and was one of only two full-time dance critics in the U.S., was sacked as part of a set of layoffs and other cost-cutting measures at the newspaper. - MSN (The Washington Post)
For her 40th anniversary season, the 70-year-old dancemaker returned to Pandora's Cake Stain, which premiered in 1996. Pandora's New Cake Stain features 12 dancers (plus cameos by six members of the original cast) and a stage manager wearing roller skates and a cape. - The New York Times
Julie Branam, who directs and choreographs the beloved Radio City Music Hall dance troupe, talks about the dance in the film, titled (what else?) A Holiday Spectacular. - Dance Magazine
Well, at least somebody can afford San Francisco real estate. This fortuitously located building — right next door to the company's theater in the Mission District and around the corner from ODC Dance Commons — will offer space to other groups as well as expansion room for ODC. - San Francisco Chronicle
One of the best-known male dancers at the Paris Opera, who has won a big following outside ballet for working as a judge on the French equivalent of "Strictly Come Dancing", on Wednesday quit the company after months of tension. - France24
Sure, it's become the classic holiday ballet (and moneymaker), but "if you look at some of the forces giving rise to it, and that still live within it, The Nutcracker isn’t all that sweet." - Washington Post
As three celebrated, longtime directors depart these companies, the entrance of women is proving that female directors are staking a firm claim in a professional terrain that has traditionally favored men. - Dance Magazine
With Semperoper Ballett artistic director Aaron S. Watkins leaving this summer to take over English National Ballet, Gomes — who's been coach and ballet master at the Semperoper since he resigned from ABT in 2017 — will fill Watkins's post for, at least initially, the 2023-24 season. - Dance for You
Judith Sánchez Ruíz, who danced with the company from 2006 to 2009, will choreograph a work titled Let's Talk About Bleeding next year. Says the company's executive director, "We're happy to do Trisha's work forever, but we feel the field is asking for something more." - The New York Times
The renowned troupe “strongly encouraged” star dancer Ashley Bouder, 38, not to perform in its star-studded fall gala because of her “appearance,” Bouder posted this week on Instagram. “I have hit my proverbial wall,” Bouder wrote. She accused the company of longstanding “systemic” and “institutionalized” body-shaming. - New York Post
Plus, Jennifer Weber choreographed a Disney+ movie. "Dancers appreciate how Weber runs rehearsals — her clear authority, her directorial eye — but also how she allows them the freedom to be themselves." - The New York Times
"While I was in ballet training, I was often told that Black people did not have the physique, cultural interest or right hair type for classical ballet." So she founded her own dance school. - Metro (UK)
"After my amputation, it's kind of the same way. I don't look the same as other 21-year-olds my age, but I can still make my body look beautiful, I can still do the things that other kids do." - People
The dance festival's second stage was destroyed by a fire almost exactly two years ago. A lead grant of $10 million grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, plus insurance payouts and further donations, will fund a new $30 million theater to open in 2025. - The New York Times
