THE MAGAZINE
Hip Hop Meets Ballet: Dutch National Ballet and ISH Dance Collective Present Oscar Wilde’s “Dorian Gray”
From 11 May until 16 June 2023, Dutch National Ballet and ISH Dance Collective, a street dance ensemble, present their latest collaboration: Dorian. The production mixes hip hop and ballet and presents an adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. TWoA talked to ISH Dance Collective’s Lars De Vos and Skya Powney, a member of Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company.
Pierre Lacotte, Choreographer, Dies at 91
On 10 April 2023, the renowned French choreographer Pierre Lacotte died by sepsis from an infected cut. He was 91. Lacotte was famous for his restagings of 19th-century ballets from the Romantic era. But he was also a key figure in a dramatic event that changed the history of ballet in the West: the Cold War defection of Soviet dancer Rudolf Nureyev in 1961. Read on for more!
Wayne McGregor: Woolf Works
The Royal Ballet’s ballet triptych Woolf Works is nothing short of a theatrical masterpiece: based on several novels by Virginia Woolf, and with choreography by Wayne McGregor and music by Max Richter, the programme is destined to be exceptional.
Ballet with Isabella: ‘I Really Fell in Love with Helping People!’
Isabella McGuire Mayes runs “Ballet with Isabella,” a brilliant ballet coaching website, and also hosts the podcast “A Dancer’s Mindset.” Isabella shares her thoughts about current practices in ballet training and her vision for the future with TWoA.
Isabella McGuire Mayes: Life Lessons from Great Teachers
Isabella McGuire Mayes is a woman with a vision: she wants to help people reach their potential by coaching their bodies and minds. Isabella runs “Ballet with Isabella,” a brilliant ballet coaching website, and also hosts “A Dancer’s Mindset,” an inspiring mindset podcast for dancers and anyone in the arts. TWoA talked to Isabella about her switch from dancing to teaching, and about the great life lessons she learned from her favourite teachers.
Luca Branca’s Prix de Lausanne Diary: Part II
One year ago, young dancer and choreographer Luca Branca won the Young Creation Award at the Prix de Lausanne. This year, Luca went back to Lausanne to coach his work to young competitors from all over the world. Read part II of his Prix de Lausanne diary to find out more!
Luca Branca’s Prix de Lausanne Diary: Part I
One year ago, young dancer and choreographer Luca Branca won the Young Creation Award at the Prix de Lausanne. Luca is now back in Lausanne to coach his work to young competitors from all over the world. TWoA asked Luca to keep a voice diary as the competition unfolds, sharing his excitement about being back at Lausanne.
The Batsheva Dance Company: “MOMO has Two Souls”
The Batsheva Dance Company is currently presenting its new work MOMO in Tel Aviv and on other Israeli stages. In March and April, the company will take the piece on tour to France and Switzerland. Collaborating with the company’s dancers and Ariel Cohen, Batsheva’s house choreographer Ohad Naharin has created another masterpiece. Read on for more.
5 Things to Know about Bronislava Nijinska
On 8 January 1891, Bronislava Nijinska was born in Minsk, then part of the Russian Empire. A ballet dancer for the Ballets Russes, she was one of the most illustrious ballet choreographers in the twentieth century. Best known for her ballets Les Biches and Les Noces, here are some interesting facts about Nijinska.
Five Facts about Alexei Ratmansky’s New Ballet ‘Tchaikovsky Overtures’
On 23 December 2022, Alexei Ratmansky’s latest ballet Tchaikovsky Overtures premiered at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich. Read on to find out more!
In Conversation with Julian MacKay: Social Media and the Arts
The use of social media in the arts can be a blessing, but there are many things to avoid to make sure that it doesn’t turn into a curse. TWoA talked to principal dancer Julian MacKay about social media and the arts: Julian and his brother Nicholas run MacKay Productions, a production company that, among other projects, supports dancers and institutions with their social media presence.
Mayerling: The Tragedy of Crown Prince Rudolf
This year, the Royal Ballet performed Mayerling to open its 2022/23 season to honour Kenneth MacMillan, one of its formative choreographers who died thirty years ago. Set in 19th century Austria, the ballet depicts the tragic fate of Crown Prince Rudolf. The role of Prince Rudolf poses a unique challenge for the male dancer, comparable to the role of ‘Hamlet’ for actors.
Interview: Principal Dancer Julian MacKay, Bayerisches Staatsballett
Julian MacKay is a fountain of energy and ideas. The young principal dancer is still in his early twenties, but while building an international career, he already finished a bachelor’s degree and founded a production company together with his brother Nicholas. TWoA talked to Julian about his artistic journey from Montana to Moscow, London, St. Petersburg, San Francisco and Munich.
Julian MacKay: Advice for Young Dancers and Musicians - “Embrace Uncertainty!”
Julian MacKay is a principal ballet dancer, but the worlds of classical dance and classical music have a lot in common. Based on his own experience, Julian shares his tips on how to navigate your way to the top.
The Five Moons: Legendary Native American Ballerinas
In celebration of Native American Heritage Day, TWoA is paying tribute to five Native American ballerinas who shaped the history of American and French ballet: Maria Tallchief, her sister Marjorie Tallchief, Rosella Hightower, Yvonne Chouteau and Moscelyne Larkin.
World Ballet Day 2022 Highlight: Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
On 2 November 2022, dance lovers could once again look forward to free live streams from over fifty ballet companies across six continents. TWoA’s highlight: Taiwan’s Cloud Gate Dance Theatre in a company class combining Tai Chi Daoyin and internal martial arts.
Halloween: New York’s School of American Ballet votes for the Spookiest Ballet
While kids all over the world were planning their costumes for trick-or-treating, students at the School of American Ballet (SAB) were planning their costumes for the annual Halloween Open House. SAB also asked its staff: what is the spookiest ballet? The clear winner: George Balanchine’s one-act ballet La Valse.
Interview: Princess Grace Academy’s Luca Branca (Winner of the 2022 Prix de Lausanne Young Creation Award) and Morgan Johnson
Luca Branca (18) and Morgan Johnson (13) are both students at the Princess Grace Academy, a highly selective dance academy in Monte Carlo. TWoA talked to Luca and Morgan about their passion for dance and choreography, their dance video “Let Your Smile Shine,” and Luca’s success as an aspiring choreographer at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne.
Relax with Luca and Morgan
Luca Branca (18, winner of the 2022 Prix de Lausanne Young Creation Award) and Morgan Johnson (13) are both students at the Princess Grace Academy, a highly selective dance academy in Monte Carlo. TWoA asked Luca and Morgan how they like to relax when they are not inside a studio dancing or choreographing.
Couture and Ballet: New York City Ballet’s Fall Fashion Gala
On 28 September, just a few days after the opening of its fall season, New York City Ballet (NYCB) celebrated the 10th anniversary of its annual Fall Fashion Gala. The event pairs choreographers with top fashion designers and commissions them to create new works together.