Jessica Wilson – Page 113 – Dance Direct Blog. News, Reviews & Advice About Dance

BalletBoyz at the Opera House

The BalletBoyz are set to make their debut appearance at the Royal Opera House from 16-27 September, dancing in the Linbury studio theatre. The company will present theTalent 2014 in a brand new triple bill at the Linbury as part of Deloitte Ignite 2014, the contemporary arts festival curated by the Royal Ballet and Minna Moore Ede of the National Gallery.

Former Royal Ballet dancers Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, co-founders and artistic directors of BalletBoyz will present works by Christopher Wheeldon (Artistic Associate of The Royal Ballet), Kristen McNally (Royal Ballet Soloist) and Alexander Whitley (New Wave Associate artist at Sadler’s Wells). The triple bill is the company’s first chance to perform new work since their final performances of the award-winning double bill – Liam Scarlett’s ‘Serpent’ and Russell Maliphant’s ‘Fallen’ – at the Camden Roundhouse in July.

Mesmerics, by Christopher Wheeldon, is a piece created in 2004 for three men and two women. Wheeldon’s reworking has recreated the piece for eight of theTalent’s dancers. The old format, set to a score by Philip Glass, contained a lot of pointe work and traditional partnering. Wheeldon set about re-inventing it, working closely with Nunn and Trevitt.

Kristen McNally, Soloist with the Royal Ballet, has created Untitled. She is a fast rising choreographer and recently made the fresh, indie-ballet ‘Mad Women’ for New English Ballet Theatre at the Peacock Theatre. Nunn and Trevitt, along with Kevin O’Hare, are keen to encourage the development of new artists, including McNally. She has found new ways to work with boys and the result is highly anticipated.

The Murmuring by Alexander Whitley, in its well crafted and constantly moving structure, is relatively abstract in its nature. It is set to a low, distinctive and continuous sound, as murmurings is also the flight pattern of flocks of birds, particularly starlings.

Eyelash Heaven

Many professional dancers rely heavily on false eyelashes, however this may not be a luxury for every dancer. It is possible grow, maintain and curl your lashes quickly and easily for that dramatic wide-eyed look often only achieved by false lashes.

Nothing is more of an eye-opener than having long, thick, curled lashes. Beautiful lashes are a sign of health and as they are hair, they require good health and vitamins. Vitamin B can help increase hair growth and strength by eating foods such as cauliflower, salmon, bananas, carrots, egg yolks, sardines and mushrooms.

Curling lashes opens the eyes and makes lashes look longer. Position an eyelash curler as close to the roots of your lashes as possible without pinching your skin. Clamp gently, and hold in place for a few seconds. Move the curler a little farther out, and very lightly press again, and so on. Avoid curling them daily as this can stress lashes and don’t curl them with mascara on!

Use mascara to your advantage: hypoallergenic mascara is for sensitive eyes and this is especially helpful for contact lense wearers. Any mascara that can be irritating can also cause lashes to fall out. Remember waterproof mascara should be used just for the beach or pool, not for every day as this formula can be drying and difficult to remove, again causing stress to the lashes.

Use lengthening and volumizing mascaras to layer the formulas for longer and thicker lashes, and/or use a black, dark brown, navy or black eye liner in between the lashes and along the lash roots of the upper lashes to increase the illusion of thicker lashes at the base line. Remove mascara properly and brush your lashes with olive oil before bed to help lashes grow thicker.

The London Theatre Report

The recently finalised London Theatre Report, which has been described as the “most comprehensive” study that has ever been published on the size, number and location of theatres in the capital, includes a number of interesting findings. Unlike previous reports, it includes data from non-West End theatres and the fringe too.

Co-commissioned by the Society of London Theatre and the National Theatre, the report shows that in 2012/13, a total of £619 million was spent on theatre tickets by 22 million people in London – up from an estimated £609 million in 2011/12. The report also reveals that at any one time, London’s professional theatres are engaging 3,141 performers, with more than 6,600 people working full-time in offstage or backstage roles. Only 20% of performers are paid national minimum wage in the fringe sector, with around a third being paid nothing at all.

It is hoped the data from within London Theatre Report will be used to conduct meaningful conversations with arts policymakers, so the value of London theatre can be properly reflected, as well as becoming an annual publication. The report maps venues’ size, range and engagement, and considers the activity of all professional theatres across London.

There are 241 professional theatre spaces in London, with more than 110,000 seats. The largest space used for theatre is the Coliseum, with 2,359 seats, while the smallest professional theatre is the Lord Stanley pub in Camden, with 30 seats. Commercial theatre accounts for more than half of all capacity in London, with 56,000 seats in 59 venues. 12 of the largest London venues engage more than 900 performers, equating to almost a third of performers across the capital.

Richard Alston Dance Company’s Autumn 2014 Tour

This autumn acclaimed choreographer Richard Alston is reviving his classic piece Overdrive, exhilarating non-stop dance to the pulsating rhythms of Californian minimalist Terry Riley. The ten dancers of Richard Alston Dance Company will perform to Riley’s relentless musical patterning, in intricate movements and sounds.

Overdrive is one of 12 prescribed professional works for GCSE Dance on the AQA syllabus: Richard Alston Dance Company has produced a teacher’s resource pack to accompany this which can be downloaded from the beginning of the school autumn term at www.richardalstondance.com. Launched in 1994, Richard Alston Dance Company is one of the UK’s leading choreographer-led companies, for which its founder Artistic Director Richard Alston has created over 40 dance-works. Richard Alston is also Artistic Director of The Place, London’s leading centre for contemporary dance, where the company is based. The company focuses on Alston’s new choreography but combines this with the re-creation of past works from Alston’s career.

The company’s upcoming tour opens on 26 September with the world premiere of Martin Lawrance’s brand new commission from the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh. This new dance is inspired by the passionately intense Dante Sonata of Franz Liszt, which will be played live by pianist Jason Ridgway. Lawrance is rapidly becoming known for his musically alert and inventive choreography, including last season’s immensely successful Madcap for Richard Alston Dance Company. Alongside Overdrive, the programme is completed by Alston’s most recent work Rejoice in the Lamb.

Another highpoint of the season will be the company’s return to Peak Performances, Montclair State University, New Jersey in that the company has been selected to celebrate Peak Performances’ tenth anniversary. An all-live music evening includes Rejoice in the Lamb, to the music of Benjamin Britten, sung live by Vocal Accord. This is only the third time it has been performed with a live choir. Also performed live will be Hölderlin Fragments, an intimate cycle of Britten songs for voice and piano, and Illuminations, Alston’s 1993 choreography of Britten’s masterpiece.

Xander Parish

Mariinsky Logo Xander Parish is the first and only British ballet dancer to have joined the Mariinsky Ballet: he was scouted and consequently taken to Russia in 2009 by Artistic Director Yuri Fateyev, due to his desire to work hard and push beyond his limits. As a former Royal Ballet dancer Xander has now had the opportunity to dance principal roles as a soloist, recently making his principal debut in Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake in London recently in the company’s tour to the UK.

As a British dancer, Xander trained at the Royal Ballet School and then joined the Royal Ballet. After five years he was invited to join the Mariinsky, with Fateyev impressed by his artistic potential. At the Mariinsky Xander now has more chance to perform as a soloist, as Russian ballet rank determines the number of shows danced. His work ethic also places him in good stead, as with many other dancers at the Mariinksy, welcoming invites to learn principal roles to expand their talent and learn new things about performing.

Being part of the Mariinsky Ballet means Xander has lots of opportunities to tour and also perform as a guest with other ballet companies. The level of opportunity at the company in Russia appears fantastic for any young dancer: in 2012, for example, Xander danced 11 principal, 35 soloist and 21 corps de ballet performances which included 9 debuts. Parish has since toured to Germany, the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Italy and the United Arab Emirates with the Mariinsky Ballet, and Fateyev has given Xander many more exciting opportunities as a result of his desire to work hard and achieve.

New Movement Collective

New Movement Collective, an associate company of Rambert (Britain’s oldest dance company), has recently announced this year’s performances of its 2012 debut work Casting Traces. The company will be joined by a new team of talented performers including Niku Chaudhari (of the Sidi-Larbi Cherkaoui company Eastman), Hannah Kidd (Richard Alston Dance Company) and Eryck Brahmania (Rambert).

Dance, architecture, film and specially commissioned music will meet to create a world of illusion, mystery and shadow play, where nothing is what it seems, with remaining dates in Brighton and Winchester.

Founded in 2009, New Movement Collective is a new generation of choreographers with a long collaborative history. Working as acclaimed dancers and dance-makers, NMC members have a shared history through many of Europe’s leading ballet and contemporary companies including Rambert, Gothenburg Ballet, English National Ballet, Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, New Adventures, Scottish Dance Theatre and Company Chameleon.

Creating a nourishing and supportive environment for artistic growth, the collective aims to create refreshing and innovative work of the highest standard. The company aims to develop work that is directly presented in response to different and unusual theatrical settings. As a result, NMC has a strong commitment to collaborative working methods. Blurring the boundaries between dance, architecture, film and music NMC aspires to change and evolve the landscape of contemporary theatre, unlocking performance potential from the hidden parts of cities.

In 2013 the New Movement Collective was nominated for ‘Best Independent Company’ in the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards. It’s association with Rambert sets its in good stead for success considering its support and collection of talented performance artists from across the field of dance.

Bolshoi Ballet On Stage And Screen

Bolshoi Theatre at Night The Bolshoi Ballet have plans for both stage and screen during their 2014-15 season, with its stage plans including a new ballet based on the Shakespearean story of Hamlet, Yuri Possokhov’s new Hero of Our Time, and a major revival of Yuri Grigorovich’s The Legend of Love. For the screen, Grigorovich will also dominate the company’s cinema season with two ballets and several productions also included in the programme.

The production of Hamlet will be staged by choreographer Radu Poklitaru and director Declan Donnellan, the team which was behind the Bolshoi’s controversial production of Romeo and Juliet. Hamlet will have its premiere on 11 March 2015, with audiences eager to discover the new production. Negotiations are currently underway as to the use of two Shostakovich symphonies to be used as the production’s music.

Possokhov’s new ballet will also be made for the Bolshoi’s new stage – in addition to Hamlet – and will premiere on 13 June 2015. It is based on Mikhail Lermontov’s novel which is set within the Caucasus mountains and features a Byronic hero. The Legend of Love, which will return to the stage on 23 October of this year, will also be the first broadcast in this season’s cinema programme. Many of the productions will be related live from the Moscow theatre to Cineworld and Picturehouse cinemas on Sundays.

The Legend of Love will be followed by Pierre Lacotte’s staging of the production Pharaoh’s Daughter, and Grigorovich’s stagings of La Bayadère, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, and Ivan the Terrible.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Les Ballets C de la B

Founded for a dare in 1984, les ballets C de la B is mix of surrealism, slapstick and semiotics within the sphere of dance. It’s ethos has consequently made it one of the world’s most influential dance theatre companies. Since then it has become a company that enjoys great success at home (Belgium) and abroad. Over the years it has developed into an artistic platform for a variety of choreographers and the company still keeps to its principle of enabling artists from various disciplines and backgrounds to take part in this dynamic creative process.

Les ballets C de la B is not easy to classify however it is possible to pin-point a house style (popular, anarchic, eclectic, committed), and its motto is ‘this dance is for the world and the world is for everyone’. As a result, Danceworks in London is presenting a 2-day workshop with the company in September, a great opportunity for aspiring dancers.

This workshop will be taught by dancer Bérengère Bodin who was born in 1980 in Fonteenay-le-comte, France. She studied at the CNDC in Anglers and then joined leading performance companies such as Raimund Hoghe, Joëlle Bouvier, Carolyn Carlson and Euan Burnet Smith, Kubilai Khan Investigation, JoJi Inc Cy, Isabella Soupart and Robyn Orlin, before joining les ballets C de la B.

Bérengère will encourage the dancers participating to feel and even redefine the emotions of life. This will be an opportunity to enter a world of not-knowing and she will work with individuals to examine their meaning and relationship to emotion, and this will be developed throughout the workshop. There will be opportunities to improvise, share and perform and the workshop is for those who wish to move to another deeper level in their dance and emotional expression

Participants must be 18 years of age or over.

Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Ballet Bartkowski Is Launched

Ballet Bartkowski is a new professional company for ballet students working at a high level of classical dance, aged 18 to 23. Based in Croix, near Lille in France, Ballet Bartkowski was founded by Heidi and Waldemar Bartkowski with the aim to open the company in September of this year.

The new company will train talented and committed students who aspire to a professional dance career. Along with the usual daily classes in classical technique, the new students will follow a variety of workshop programmes in order to learn and develop different styles of classical ballet. The founders, Heidi and Waldemar, feel this is crucial in helping the young students to respond to the varying demands of choreographers, company directors and the industry itself.

Building up the students’ versatility is a sure fire way to make them employable and likeable as professional dancers who are able to apply themselves. The dancers will also have the chance to perform original works, including performances in both France and further afield. The combination of daily classical classes, workshops and performance opportunities looks set to develop students who are both prepared for professional careers and eager for them too.

Both Heidi and Waldemar Bartkowski had international dance careers before they began their own dance school in 2007. The reasoning behind their founding of the company is simple: the founders wanted to develop each of their students’ technical artistic talents in order for them to reach their full potential. Young dancers attending other vocational training institutions have a tough challenge on their hands in having to mature quickly enough in order to make it successfully onto the professional performing scene. The founders feel the stage experience provided by Ballet Bartkowski is essential for the students to secure their first professional engagement.

Nikyta Moreno: American Dream

Nikyta Moreno graduated from The Brit School, London, in 2008 from the Dance Strand, with a triple distinction. She then trained at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London, graduating in 2011 with a BA (Hons) Dance Theatre degree.

In 2010 she was invited to a summer Internship with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, and in 2011, she performed at Performers House, Denmark, in ‘In The Neighbourhood’, choreographed by German born and UK based choreographer Frauke Requardt. That same year Nikyta performed her own work at Wireless music festival alongside music artist Charlotte Rene.

Nikyta then moved to New York where she continued to train, specifically at The Ailey School. From 2012-2013 she danced for SoulRebel Dance Company, based in Brooklyn, NY. She performed ‘Thread’ choreographed by Will Brown in Philadelphia and collaborated with filmmaker Geoffrey Stevens at the beginning of this year. Since January 2014, she has worked with Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company and JD Dansfolk Dance Company (both modern companies are based in New York).

Nikyta Moreno also teaches at The School at Steps and South Asian Youth Action.

When did you begin dancing, where and why?

My parents enrolled me into ballet and tap classes at the age of 4, at East London School of Dance. The school is still running and is based in Forest Gate, East London.

What were your early years of dancing like?

They were very hectic but enjoyable. I trained in ballet, tap, jazz and modern, therefore I attended class three times a week after school. Every spring, summer or autumn term I had an RAD or ISTD exam.

How long have you been performing? Did you start young?

I have been performing for 10 years now. My first performance was at the age of 14, where I performed to Prince Phillip at the Barbican theatre. It was a very exciting experience for me. I remember feeling like a celebrity.

Where did you train and what was a typical day like?

I received my Dance Diploma at The Brit School, and then went onto receive my degree in BA (Hons) Dance Theatre at Trinity Laban Conservatoire.

My school days at The Brit School were always busy but full of laughter and excitement. There was never a dull day at The Brit School! My typical day would start at 8.45am and end at 5pm with one 15 minute break and one hour break. I trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern and Musical Theatre. Each day consisted of two dance classes and one written class. Every term we ended with a showcase in the Obie Theatre, therefore our day would also consist of rehearsals.

At Trinity Laban Conservatoire my days varied from year to year. My first and second year consisted of a mixture of dance and written classes, whereas in my third year I only had dance classes and rehearsals. At Trinity Laban I trained in Ballet, Graham, Cunningham, Limon and Release Technique. My day would start at 8.45am and would end around 7 or 8pm, due to workshops or rehearsals. My day would consist of 3-4 dance classes, a written class and rehearsals.

When I moved to New York I continued my training at The Ailey School, on the Independent Programme. As I was on the Independent Programme I was able to choose what dance styles I wanted to train in and create my own timetable. I did 14 classes a week; each class was 90 minutes. I trained in Ballet, Horton, Graham, Jazz, Taylor Technique and Hip Hop.

My typical day consisted of three dance classes with a one hour break. My day would start at 8.30am with a Ballet class and finish at 3.45pm with either a Jazz or Hip Hop class.

Did you face any particular challenges?

When I first auditioned for The Brit School, I actually did not receive a place, it was after appealing I then received a place in the Dance Strand.

The Brit School was definitely the start and foundation of my dance journey and career; it is where I truly learnt about the dance art form. If I had never appealed who knows what my career path would have been, or where I would call home.

What is a typical day like now?

I usually start my day at 9.15am with a Hot Power Vinneysa class, then attend company dance rehearsals. Rehearsals could be up to fours hours a day. After rehearsals I either teach or attend open dance classes (depending on what day it is).

How do you keep on top of your technique?

I still train! I believe as a dancer you can never stop growing, there are always areas for improvement. I attend a Hot Power Vinneysa class every day and a ballet, contemporary and pilates class at least once in a week.

What’s the best part about dance?

For me the best part about dance is performing! The thrill you get when on stage! It is a very rewarding feeling to show choreography that you have complete movement ownership of, and to share your love and passion for the art form to everyone who is present in space.

What would you say was your greatest achievement to date?

My greatest achievement has definitely been moving to New York. I have been lucky to have a successful dance career here so far and to have met great practitioners. August 2014 will make it three years since I have moved, and the time has just flown by!

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be part of the dance industry?

Never, EVER, give up! Every no you receive take it as a blessing and push harder. People are always going to say no, but one day that no will become a yes! It is your job to make that no into a yes!

Be you! Everyone else is taken. Figure out what works for you; what you like and what you don’t like, work hard and master what you are good at. Don’t compare yourself to other dancers.

Always attend class, read everything you can get your hands on! Never stop learning!

What’s next for you?

My next aim is to be in the Broadway musical ‘The Lion King’. I will continue to strive for this goal, but in the meantime I will continue to train, teach, hold workshops and work with companies, organisations, here in the United States.

I would also like to travel to different states in the U.S., and dance with different companies. I recently received the opportunity to visit the Houston Met Dance Company in Houston, Texas. It was an amazing experience to dance with a different company, in a different environment and meet and work with new dancers and teachers.