performances

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.

Daniel the Bugle Boy

Daniel Baker is one of the dancers who will perform the role of the Bugle Boy in Company B! This Paul Taylor work will be featured by MCB during Program I, which kicks off at Adrienne Arsht Center on Friday, October 23.

Before you watch Daniel boogie woogie on stage, watch this video about his very exciting role.

Windy City Reviews

The Company traveled home last night from a very successful Chicago tour. We weren’t kidding when we said our dancers would light up the stage! MCB left Chicago wanting more.

Check out these dazzling reviews.

Miami City Ballet displays its spirit, intense virtuosity, Chicago Sun-Times, 10/3/09

Miami City Ballet reviewed, Chicago Tribune, 10/5/09

With the support of the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.

Behind the Ballets – Program I video trailers are now online

Ever wonder the meaning behind a ballet…even the plot-less ones?  Edward Villella discusses the Program I works, to be performed in October at Adrienne Arsht Center and in November at Broward Center and Kravis Center.  Get a sneak peak of Program I before you come to the theater.

Company B trailer: https://www.miamicityballet.org/companyb.php

Allegro Brillante trailer: https://www.miamicityballet.org/allegro.php

Tschaikovsky pas de Deux trailer: https://www.miamicityballet.org/pasdedeux.php

Symphony in Three Movements trailer: https://www.miamicityballet.org/threemovements.php

To shoot the trailers, the guys from Wreckingball Media set up shop right here in Studio 8.  Here are some photos.

For a more extensive discussion, Edward or a member of our Artistic staff, conducts pre-performance talks before each show.  It’s free to the ticketed audience!

Video trailers for Programs II, III, IV and The Nutcracker are coming soon.

Welcome Back Dancers Party

On August 14, Miami City Ballet’s Board of Trustees welcomed back our dancers with a party at The Betsy hotel on South Beach. After the dancers’ first week of rehearsals we were all ready to celebrate; dancers, VIP supporters and staff headed to recently-renovated The Betsy for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Wild Rock wine was flowing, and good times were rolling! Special guests included Ana Codina Barlick and Robert Barlick, Meike and Dominick Miniaci, Lisa Berg, Alexander I. Tachmes, Toby Lerner Ansin, Rosalind and Daniel Richter, Marvin Ross Friedman and Adrienne bon Haes, Frank and Gabrielle Armstrong, Joe Proto and others. What a fabulous way to kick off the season!

Special thanks to The Betsy and MCB’s Board of Trustees, who made this event possible.