This month, American Ballet Theatre will make the North American premiere of Wayne McGregor’s Woolf Works. The critically acclaimed ballet, created for The Royal Ballet in 2015, is based on three works by 20th-century modernist author Virginia Woolf: Mrs. Dalloway, Orlando, and The Waves. The triptych’s three acts are titled “I now, I then,” “Becomings,” […]
On October 27, American Ballet Theatre’s Fall Gala will present the world premiere of Lifted, by choreographer Christopher Rudd. The piece features an all-Black cast and creative team—a historic first for the company—including dancers Erica Lall, Calvin Royal III, Courtney Lavine, Melvin Lawovi and Jose Sebastian. Lifted is Rudd’s second work for ABT, his first […]
When Chloe Misseldine is dancing, it’s hard to look away. In Don Quixote’s Act III “Flower Girl” variation, the fledgling American Ballet Theatre star lets the music lead her, luxuriating in each crisp balance and sailing through complex turns, then tossing the audience a charming smile to show off her total sense of control. “When she dances, I […]
After a two-year hiatus, American Ballet Theatre returns to the Metropolitan Opera House June 13–July 16 for its 2022 summer season. This year’s program includes an exciting lineup of New York City premieres, full-length principal-role debuts and guest artists Daniel Camargo (former Dutch National Ballet principal) and Daniil Simkin (Staatsballett Berlin principal) to welcome the […]
American Ballet Theatre has named celebrated former principal dancer Susan Jaffe its next artistic director, effective December 2022. Jaffe will take the helm from Kevin McKenzie, who plans to retire at the end of the 2022 season, his 30th as director. “What a profound honor it is for me to come back home to lead American Ballet Theatre,” Jaffe […]
Whether she’s headed to the studio for a long day of rehearsals or hanging out in New York City, American Ballet Theatre’s Erica Lall loves to embrace the “weird” in her wardrobe. “I like a mix of sporty and classic pieces, but sometimes I put strange things together,” says the corps de ballet dancer. “I […]
Kevin McKenzie, American Ballet Theatre’s longtime artistic director, announced yesterday that he will retire at the end of 2022, after three decades at the helm. He will continue to oversee the company’s 2021–22 season while a search for his successor begins this summer. In an interview with The New York Times’ Rosalyn Sulcas, McKenzie noted […]
When the curtain opens on Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room, there are two women onstage, wearing striped pants and tops, and sneakers. By the end, after almost 40 minutes of high-intensity dancing, they’ve stripped down to red leotards, their fists lifted victoriously. Wanyue Qiao danced one of these athletic superwomen last year during American […]