Balletomanes, bunheads, and Center Stage fangirls alike, listen up, because there’s a big announcement here for the dance community: on Saturday, June 8, legendary ballet power couple Gillian Murphy and Ethan Stiefel welcomed their son, Ax Nathaniel Stiefel, into the world! Murphy announced the good news on Instagram by sharing a heartwarming video of fellow […]
Congratulations are in order for American Ballet Theatre star Gillian Murphy and her husband, former ABT dancer Ethan Stiefel, who are expecting their first child next June! Murphy announced her pregnancy today on Instagram: Gillian Murphy on Instagram: “This might look like a pas de deux, but it’s actually a pas de trois 💗🤰👨🏼 It’s […]
By Gillian Murphy, as told to Amy Brandt. Gamzatti was one of my first principal roles, when I was 19. Over the last 20 years I’ve had a chance to develop the character and find nuances. At first I saw her more as a villain and Nikiya as the good character. That’s changed over time. […]
Between long rehearsal days, performances and hectic touring schedules, it can be hard for professional dancers to plan for their post-performance careers while they’re still onstage. This fall, that changes for five American Ballet Theatre principals. Stella Abrera, Isabella Boylston, Cory Stearns, James Whiteside and Gillian Murphy have been chosen as the first dancers to […]
Last week American Ballet Theatre principal Gillian Murphy danced the iconic dual role of Odette/Odile as part of the company’s spring season. In preparation for the performance she posted an adorable photo from her childhood on Instagram of her posing in costume as the Black Swan. Murphy also admits that as a young dancer she […]
Whether you’ve been lucky enough to watch American Ballet Theatre’s Gillan Murphy dance Swan Lake‘s Odette/Odile in person or you’re one of the 100,000+ who’ve watched her performance on YouTube, the magic happening on stage is obvious. Even off stage, it’s easy to see why the role is such a perfect fit. Supremely graceful with […]
Photography by Joe Toreno. When I was 19 years old and in the corps de ballet of American Ballet Theatre, a domino effect of casting changes left me with three days to learn and prepare my first dramatic leading role: Myrtha, the Queen of the Wilis. There was not enough time to feel overwhelmed, let […]
Alexei Ratmansky’s Nutcracker for American Ballet Theatre establishes a new benchmark in demanding pas de deux. Like all of the choreographer’s work, the movement blends effortless naturalism with extraordinary physical challenges. The lead couple twirl and jeté in an over-the-top romantic fantasy, culminating in a one-armed lift that raises the ballerina above her prince’s head […]