dancers

Following Fanfare – The Premiere!

Post by Rebecca King, Corps de Ballet

Opening weekend was a huge success as everyone anticipated. I took some footage on the Flip camera to bring you behind the scenes of Fanfare. Hearing the orchestra in the pit again for the first time in two years was an exhilarating experience that was felt by every person on stage and in the audience. I hope you enjoy. Until next time…

Bugaku Girl Talk

Wigs, robes, tutus, and bikinis in a dressing room can only mean one thing: Bugaku! The Company is performing this George Balanchine piece in Program I of the 25th Anniversary Season which opens today! Sara Esty, Zoe Zien, Ashley Knox, and Leigh-Ann Esty had a chat about what it’s like to dance in the corps of this erotic ballet, and who was present during rehearsals.

Don’t miss the first program of the most exciting season yet, which also includes Jerome Robbins’ Fanfare and George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations.

Following Fanfare – Back in the Theater

Post by Rebecca King, Corps de Ballet

Here we are! Day one in Adrienne Arsht Center, kicking off our 25th Anniversary Season! We just completed our first, of two, dress rehearsals. It is taking a little bit of time to get back into the swing of things; like not having a mirror, wearing costumes, and having stage lights shining down on us. The Fanfare costumes are so beautiful and full of color! We are looking forward to debuting this ballet for our Miami fans tomorrow night!

I took a few photos to bring you behind the curtain on our rehearsal day.

Looking out on the house from the stage.

It has been so long since we have seen seats in the pit! The orchestra will be here tonight!

The dancers practicing choreography after class, before rehearsal.

Stay tuned for some video footage I have taken, coming soon!

Meet the Dancers – Amanda Weingarten

In Divertimento #15 as Solo #3 girl. Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. Photo © Leigh-Ann Esty.

With former MCB dancer Kristin D'Addario getting ready for Company B.

The Road to City Center – almost there!

Post by Sara Esty, Corps de Ballet

September 24, 2010

It’s finally here! Tomorrow is our last day of rehearsals until we get to New York! We have been running through “The Golden Section” every day this week and have been adding the finishing touches to make it its best. Everyone is excited and ready…there are even a few members of the cast who have never been to NYC! Renan Cerdeiro is one such member and can barely contain himself. Even though we will only be there a short time, there is so much everyone wants to see and do. But first things first: kick butt as the closing performers in the sold out opening night shows of City Centers’ Fall for Dance festival (Sept. 28 & 29)! I will be bringing MCB’s flip camera to the Big Apple with us so stay tuned for some highly entertaining footage!

Inside Great Performances: Dance in America

Last week, MCB had the pleasure of taping Twyla Tharp’s “The Golden Section”, and George Balanchine’s Square Dance and Western Symphony for Great Performances: Dance in America to air on PBS in 2011. The entire company was ecstatic to have this opportunity and everyone involved worked tremendously hard on this project.

We talked to soloist Callie Manning about her filming experience. She shares with us the differences between dancing onstage and dancing in a TV studio, what changed about her makeup routine, and what was the most challenging part of the whole process.

The Road to City Center – looking top notch

Post by Sara Esty, Corps de Ballet

Hi All!

It has been a while since my last post, but for good reason. The company has been in the process of filming an upcoming special for PBS (Great Performances: Dance in America)! Everyone has been so busy, spending everyday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the TV studio dancing our butts off! It has been some of the toughest, hardest days any of us have experienced, but what an incredible opportunity and amazing life adventure it has been. The first two days of filming focused on “The Golden Section.” This really has allowed all of us to feel extra-prepared and ready for our upcoming tour to New York City Center (Sept. 28-29). Not only is our stamina and endurance up, but the performance quality is looking top notch…thanks to a bunch of cameras in our faces! I think it has been great practice, and I can’t wait to bring this piece back to the stage. Stay tuned as we get closer to our departure!

Photo © Alexandre Dufaur