While the dance world recycles the same choreographers, American Ballet Theatre’s incubator reveals what ballet has been missing: a system for developing its own creators.
I really appreciate this closer look at this incubator series as I see both ballet and modern companies embrace similar systems. On another note, I do believe there is a missing structure for those who thrive in choreography, though maybe less so in performance to make their way to working with such high caliber talent. College programs foster brilliant choreographers who may spend their undergrad or grad years fine tuning choreographic skills but then getting in the choreographic door isn’t accessible. I think similar to teaching, being a highly skilled dance artists doesn’t naturally make someone a strong choreographer and I’d love to see companies embrace the sectors of skills both as they intersect and where some thrive independently in their strengths.
READ my follow up comment - there have been several dances set on all levels of dancers from the company to students. My error for not knowing that when posting my first comment.
I think some of the smaller companies are ahead of the game. Ballet West does a special new works program each spring season. They invite smaller known choreographers to present their works as well as dancers who want to submit works. It is held at a smaller venue but it has a 4 day+ season. I am not sure if any works have been absorbed into the company. One male dancer has become an in—house choreographer. His works have been included in the normal seasons.
I wonder how many other smaller companies have done similar events to find those diamonds in the rough?
Cincinnati Ballet also hosts a new works spring program, and if I’m not mistaken, I believe they have collaborated with Ballet West on a couple of projects.
UPDATE: I just looked up on line how the SFB effort has panned out and there are several new dances that have been created and performed - at the company and student levels.
My comment below was a bit premature. However, I give kudos to the SFB and Tamara Rojo for creating this opportunity for SFB dancers.
San Francisco Ballet's new artistic director, Tamara Rojo, set up the Creation House for developing new choreographers. The program provides mentorship, residencies, space and time to create and rehearse. The dances are geared toward guest dancers, company dancers, and students at SFB. This seems to be a robust program that supports all aspects of creating new works. However, I haven't seen any indication as to when or where any of these dances will be performed.
I have often felt like I was yelling into a void when I say that I find Justin Peck's re-heated Jerome Robbins leftovers extremely repetitive and not worth the columns of ink expounded on his so called inventiveness. Ballet Hispanico does hold up Latina visionaries in its rep with Anna Lopez Ochoa and Michelle Manzanales's work being showcased most seasons. I don't understand why ABT refuses to allow at least one of its incubator works into rep every season, at least at one performance.
I think so many people would be interested in the incubator works 100%! Maybe it will happen. Great note about the Latina geniuses. I hope you'll get to see Whiteside's piece, it was phenomenal.
Brilliant Read! Thank you for writing this!
I really appreciate this closer look at this incubator series as I see both ballet and modern companies embrace similar systems. On another note, I do believe there is a missing structure for those who thrive in choreography, though maybe less so in performance to make their way to working with such high caliber talent. College programs foster brilliant choreographers who may spend their undergrad or grad years fine tuning choreographic skills but then getting in the choreographic door isn’t accessible. I think similar to teaching, being a highly skilled dance artists doesn’t naturally make someone a strong choreographer and I’d love to see companies embrace the sectors of skills both as they intersect and where some thrive independently in their strengths.
Agreed, there is a missing funnel to the top. Of course that's also related to meager arts funding.
READ my follow up comment - there have been several dances set on all levels of dancers from the company to students. My error for not knowing that when posting my first comment.
I think some of the smaller companies are ahead of the game. Ballet West does a special new works program each spring season. They invite smaller known choreographers to present their works as well as dancers who want to submit works. It is held at a smaller venue but it has a 4 day+ season. I am not sure if any works have been absorbed into the company. One male dancer has become an in—house choreographer. His works have been included in the normal seasons.
I wonder how many other smaller companies have done similar events to find those diamonds in the rough?
Cincinnati Ballet also hosts a new works spring program, and if I’m not mistaken, I believe they have collaborated with Ballet West on a couple of projects.
UPDATE: I just looked up on line how the SFB effort has panned out and there are several new dances that have been created and performed - at the company and student levels.
My comment below was a bit premature. However, I give kudos to the SFB and Tamara Rojo for creating this opportunity for SFB dancers.
San Francisco Ballet's new artistic director, Tamara Rojo, set up the Creation House for developing new choreographers. The program provides mentorship, residencies, space and time to create and rehearse. The dances are geared toward guest dancers, company dancers, and students at SFB. This seems to be a robust program that supports all aspects of creating new works. However, I haven't seen any indication as to when or where any of these dances will be performed.
Who is allowed to watch, comment on these shows?
It would be interesting to choose one or more which had been well received as an addition to a normal season.
I have often felt like I was yelling into a void when I say that I find Justin Peck's re-heated Jerome Robbins leftovers extremely repetitive and not worth the columns of ink expounded on his so called inventiveness. Ballet Hispanico does hold up Latina visionaries in its rep with Anna Lopez Ochoa and Michelle Manzanales's work being showcased most seasons. I don't understand why ABT refuses to allow at least one of its incubator works into rep every season, at least at one performance.
I think so many people would be interested in the incubator works 100%! Maybe it will happen. Great note about the Latina geniuses. I hope you'll get to see Whiteside's piece, it was phenomenal.