Christopher Marney: "My mum took me. We didn’t see the companies in London. We lived in Essex and we'd see London City Ballet at The Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, because that was the company that toured and would perform at your local theatre." And yes, his revived LCB will definitely tour. - Bachtrack
"Choreographers’ interest in tying ballet directly to literature is a notable turnaround from the 20th century’s Balanchine-influenced rise of abstract, plotless ballets. Using ballet vocabulary to retell the works of great writers is fraught with potential pitfalls. But the medium of dance can also illuminate a book afresh." - Dance Magazine
"It is one of the great classical repertory companies, but I would like to have a company that lives in the present and looks to the future. What is clear is that it has to be a glamorous company, that reflects its history and the city." - The New York Times
This is an ambitious time to revive a ballet company, but on the other hand - crucially, when you've already secured the first three years' funding - why not? - The New York Times
"That was accidental. … (At university) there were modules on contemporary dance. I didn’t know what the hell that was. But I decided because it’s dance, I’ll do that. I don’t think anybody really knows how to combine the two. ... My body got confused, and I celebrated that confusion." - San Francisco Classical Voice
Elena Tupyseva was hired by the Moscow Department of Culture in 2012 for the position of CEO and artistic director of the City Theatre Ballet Moscow. - CBC
"The incredible feeling of recognition on the highest event stage has caused a glow through (the World DanceSport Federation) since its unveiling — but to know that it won't be renewed, even before getting a chance to throw down any moves, leaves a bitter aftertaste." - The Big Idea (New Zealand)
The former prima ballerina at La Scala and international star will succeed Martin Schläpfer (who decided not to renew his three-year contract) at the start of the 2025-26 season. - Danza e Danza
"It’s 10 a.m. on a Wednesday morning and 18 dancers are leaping, jumping and twirling in the Dayton Ballet studio. … 'Reach, reach, good!' Brandon Ragland says as he guides them, sometimes all together, sometimes in smaller groups. 'Keep the chest up!'" - Dayton Daily News
"Edwaard Liang comes to Washington after spending the past decade as artistic director of BalletMet, an esteemed midsize company in Columbus, Ohio. He is credited with nearly doubling the organization’s budget and choreographing 21 works during his time there, which also saw an expansion of BalletMet’s school." - MSN (The Washington Post)
Susan Jaffe has some questions to answer, like how can ABT reflect society, and attract younger audiences - "and how do you make a historic institution feel relevant without becoming something it is not?" - MSN (Town and Country)
"Everywhere I go in Belfast people tell me there’s no lack of talent here, just opportunity, infrastructure and funding. There’s been no executive committee in the Northern Ireland government since February 2022. … Still, artists talk about the Arts Council of Northern Ireland like friends, rather than bogeymen." - The Guardian
At a time when audiences are dwindling, and dancers are known more for their TikToks than their technique, it may be unwise to anoint as the art form’s future a choreographer so thoroughly steeped in ballet history. - The New Republic
In July, Julie Kent joined Stanton Welch as co-director of the company, bringing with her the wealth of experience from her 30-year dance career at American Ballet Theatre and her seven years as artistic director of The Washington Ballet. - Pointe Magazine
The Staatsballett Berlin, an amalgamation of three pre-1989 companies, went through three artistic directorships in less than a decade while also dealing with recalcitrant dancers, strikes over pay, and a racism scandal. Good thing that new director Christian Spuck is known for his "preternatural" calm and courtesy. - The New York Times
