With Her New Production, PBT’s Susan Jaffe Seeks A More Enlightened ‘Swan Lake’ [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato Former American Ballet Theatre (ABT) star Susan Jaffe has danced more than her fair share of Swan Lake productions in her career. Her first in the lead role of Odette-Odile came at ABT when she was just nineteen in what The New York Times called, “a beautiful triumph.” She then danced it again every year of her 22-year career, including productions in England, Germany, … Continue reading With Her New Production, PBT’s Susan Jaffe Seeks A More Enlightened ‘Swan Lake’ [PREVIEW]

Grand Rapids Ballet’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Continues with Stowell’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Balanchine’s “Serenade”

By Steve Sucato and Jessica MeldrumMichigan’s lone professional ballet company, continues its 50th Anniversary Celebration with Christopher Stowell’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, April 22-24 and April 29-May 1 at the Peter Martin Wege Theatre as well as online, May 3 as part of GRB’s 2021-2022 virtual season offerings. The production also features George Balanchine’s timeless masterwork, Serenade. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of William Shakespeare’s most … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Continues with Stowell’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Balanchine’s “Serenade”

Dutch National Ballet’s New “Raymonda” Brings Modern Sensibilities to a Petipa Classic [Preview]

By Steve Sucato for Pointe Magazine On April 3, Dutch National Ballet presents the crown jewel in its 60th-anniversary season: a new, full-length production of Raymonda, the company’s first.  “Raymonda is one of the greatest classical ballets,” says DNB artistic director Ted Brandsen. “It is a complete display of everything classical ballet has to offer.” Raymonda, the last hit ballet created by choreographer Marius Petipa, premiered in … Continue reading Dutch National Ballet’s New “Raymonda” Brings Modern Sensibilities to a Petipa Classic [Preview]

DANCECleveland & Playhouse Square Present Pam Tanowitz Dance & Pianist Simone Dinnerstein in ‘New Work for Goldberg Variations’

The company performs New Work For Goldberg Variations CLEVELAND – Described by The New York Times as “the most sublime new dance since Merce Cunningham’s,” Pam Tanowitz Dance will return to Playhouse Square’s Mimi Ohio Theatre on March 19th at 7:30 p.m. for a remarkable performance of the evening-length New Work for Goldberg Variations, featuring world-renowned pianist Simone Dinnerstein. Tickets are available now at http://www.DANCECleveland.orgContinue reading DANCECleveland & Playhouse Square Present Pam Tanowitz Dance & Pianist Simone Dinnerstein in ‘New Work for Goldberg Variations’

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Kyle Abraham: From raves to the Royal

By Steve Sucato for Dance International Magazine Kyle Abraham has come a long way from his early days as a rave dancer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to now choreographing for the world’s most prominent dance companies. His latest, The Weathering, for London’s Royal Ballet, is set to premiere as part of a triple bill on March 24 at the Royal Opera House. Abraham grew up in a middle-class African American neighbourhood. … Continue reading Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Kyle Abraham: From raves to the Royal

Pamela M. Green Dance/USA 2022 ‘Ernie’ Award Recipient: A Facilitator of Artist Dreams

A Q & A with the Arts Management Leader By Steve Sucato for Dance/USA A guiding phrase in artist manager Pamela M. Green’s career has been, “Tell me what your dream is, and I will try and make it come true.” It is both a goal and a promise by her to do her very best for the artists she represents. It is something she … Continue reading Pamela M. Green Dance/USA 2022 ‘Ernie’ Award Recipient: A Facilitator of Artist Dreams

GroundWorks’ David Shimotakahara talks about Debut Collaboration with CityMusic Cleveland [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato for GroundWorks DanceTheater For GroundWorks DanceTheater’s very first collaboration with CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra, the company has created a dance-on-video work to accompany the live performance by CityMusic musicians of composer Olivier Messiaen’s poignant masterwork, “Quatuor pour la fin du temps” (Quartet for the End of Time). The work is part of CityMusic Cleveland‘s Justice, Equality, Hope Chamber Music Series program Transcendence, which will be … Continue reading GroundWorks’ David Shimotakahara talks about Debut Collaboration with CityMusic Cleveland [PREVIEW]

Jodie Gates Named Cincinnati Ballet’s Next Artistic Director

Cincinnati Ballet announced today that it has named Jodie Gates as its new artistic director, effective August 1, 2022. Gates will take over from Victoria Morgan, who is retiring after 25 years at the helm. Gates, most recently the founding director of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and founder and artistic director of the Laguna Dance Festival, will inherit stewardship of Cincinnati Ballet’s $11.5 million annual operating budget, 27 … Continue reading Jodie Gates Named Cincinnati Ballet’s Next Artistic Director

Choreographer Jorden Morris, Orlando Ballet’s New Artistic Director, Shares His Vision for the Company

The phrase “being in the right place at the right time” certainly applied to Jorden Morris in the lead-up to his appointment as Orlando Ballet’s new artistic director. Morris, the company’s artist in residence, happened to be in Orlando, preparing to set his production of The Great Gatsby on the company this past August, when the artistic director Robert Hill abruptly stepped down after 13 years. Jonathan Ledden, the company’s board president, … Continue reading Choreographer Jorden Morris, Orlando Ballet’s New Artistic Director, Shares His Vision for the Company

From Skateboarding Hooligan to Principal Dancer: BalletMet’s Jonathan Jordan Reflects on his Lengthy Dance Career and Taking his Final Bow

By Steve Sucato After a 22-year career as a dancer, BalletMet’s Jonathan Jordan will take his final bow with the company on Wednesday, December 22 in Gerard Charles’s The Nutcracker.  Jordan will dance the role of the Cavalier opposite Sugar Plum Fairy, Caitlin Valentine. The Arizona native began his dance journey at age 12 at the Academy Ballet of Tucson and then the Phoenix School … Continue reading From Skateboarding Hooligan to Principal Dancer: BalletMet’s Jonathan Jordan Reflects on his Lengthy Dance Career and Taking his Final Bow