MCB Insider | Miami City Ballet

Kristin D’Addario: Back in the Theater

Post by Kristin D’Addario

There is something special about being in the theater for a dancer. The energy changes throughout the company when we’re there. The moment you set up your spot in the dressing room, there’s almost a sigh of relief…”We’re finally here.” I feel like I’ve just arrived at home. Well, that’s probably because I bring my whole life to the theater! I pack up like I’m going away for the weekend bringing snacks, tea, a coffee mug, a towel, a good book or two, a candle (I’d bring incense if I could, but that might just bother the other girls!), and of course all of my makeup, hair supplies, and shoes. Needless to say, the morning we actually arrived at the Arsht Center, I realized how long it took me to get ready and was almost late! I forgot how much it entails to prepare and I’ll have to break myself into performance season again.

Our weekend of shows at the Arsht Center marked the beginning of the season for me. Even though we’ve been working and rehearsing for two months, I feel like we’ve officially started now. This is what we’ve been working for after all. Being onstage is a completely different feeling. Even in class I feel like a different person. The seats may be empty, but I still feel like I’m performing. There are no mirrors in front of me to dissect every little detail visually. Onstage, I have no choice but to feel everything. I have to approach class differently than I would in the studio. Everyday feels like a fresh start because even though I may look the same, my body feels completely different from one day to the next and I have no mirror telling me that I have the same arabesque I did yesterday. I love it because it’s a clean slate. Every class, every rehearsal, and of course every show.

The shows were awesome that weekend. Everyone looked beautiful and genuinely happy to be performing again. I particularly enjoyed watching Company B come together. MCB has done Company B before, but I wasn’t here for it and seeing the piece as a whole in the theater was definitely exciting. It’s great in rehearsal, but with the white marly, the lights, and of course costumes and makeup, it added a whole other element! Seeing the first cast perform it put a huge smile on my face and I couldn’t wait to do it myself the next day. I had the privilege of dancing this Paul Taylor work on Sunday afternoon and I enjoyed every minute of it. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to perform it again when we go to Broward this weekend.

After a nice weekend off, I am ready for another weekend in the theater. The Broward Center holds a special place in my heart because I’ve had a few firsts in this theater. Broward is the place that I’ve performed some of my favorite parts for the first time, including Rubies, In the Upper Room, and Dew Drop in The Nutcracker. I’ve always called Broward Center “my theater” so I’m looking forward to being back and also visiting my favorite sushi place across the street.

See Kristin perform at “her theater” – Broward Center – this weekend November 6-8. The Company will perform Allegro Brillante, Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux, Company B and Symphony in Three Movements. Click here to get your tickets.

Photo by MCB Dancer Leigh-Ann Esty

Meet The Nutcracker Kids

Post by Crista Villella, Ballet Mistress

The Nutcracker Intensive rehearsal week has come and gone, and I am happy to report that the kids know all of the choreography and proper rehearsal behavior. Every year they get better and better! My angels are close to perfect and my soldiers can count the music, which is really difficult to do. I couldn’t be more impressed! Diana, one of the Marie’s, just came from Cuba and doesn’t understand English. I don’t speak Spanish, but amazingly we communicate quite well despite the language barrier and she is doing great work. Mariana, the other Marie, knows every part in The Nutcracker. She may just have to take over my job one day! The two Fritz’s are best friends and they are so funny. As sweet as they are, they are always testing to see how much I will let them get away with. They certainly have the gift of charm. The best part of my day is when I see the little ones in the hallway and they light up and say, “Miss Crista!” as they run to give me a hug. What could be sweeter? I have a pretty cool job.

Behind-the-scenes of opening weekend with Rebecca King

Post by Rebecca King

Miami City Ballet Dancers are back in the studios after an exciting opening weekend at Adrienne Arsht Center in downtown Miami. I think I speak for everyone when I say that it was a wonderfully successful weekend!

On Friday night (opening night), there were obvious nerves onstage before the curtain went up at 8:00 p.m. Everyone was waiting impatiently while welcoming speeches were made. I was standing in the wings on stage right with the rest of the Company to cheer on our friends and colleagues as they performed. Personally, I just love the moment when the curtain comes down on a ballet and everyone in the wings explodes with applause and screams “bravo!” The whole evening was filled with smiles, roses, and energy both onstage and offstage, which was simply contagious.

The next couple of days, we returned to the theater to receive a congratulatory speech from our Artistic Director, Edward Villella and a wonderful review in The Miami Herald.

I brought the Flip camera with me to the theater this past weekend to document backstage moments as we prepare for opening night. There is so much that happens behind the scenes, and I hope this will give you a little insight into what our performances look like from our point of view.

Edward at the podium

Earlier this month we shared our pride in Edward Villella’s induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Watch his poignant acceptance speech here.

Hello 2009-2010 Season

Yesterday marked the end of a very successful opening weekend at Adrienne Arsht Center. Finally, after so much anticipation, the Season is underway!

Click here to read MCB’s review in The Miami Herald.

From dancer to photographer

Dancing since age 3, Alexandre Dufaur has a keen eye for ballet and a fond love for photography. What better person than a former MCB soloist to photograph the Company during Program I of the 2009-2010 Season?! We caught up with Alex at the dress rehearsal Thursday night to talk about this new “role” with Miami City Ballet. It’s so nice when dancers remain part of the MCB family once they hang up their shoes. Can’t wait to see his shots!

UPDATE: Click here to view Alex’s photos.