Arguably the world's greatest living ballet choreographer, Ratmansky grew up in Kyiv, where his parents and sister still live, and has been very involved in relief efforts. Marina Harss visited The Hague to watch him rehearse the United Ukrainian Ballet Company in its first-ever production, Giselle. - The New York Times
After our time training together in the '70s, Richard went on to join two of the finest ballet companies in the world at the time. He danced like a comet. And after that, astonishingly, he became a doctor. Ballet dancers, at that time, rarely went to college. You'd train about to age 18, then audition for a professional troupe...
"Female choreographers, on average, make up 35% of a venue's programming and 40% of a company's programming at all venues. On average, women make up 34% of venues' leadership boards. ... and 49% of these companies board leadership when artistic and executive directors are considered." - Dance Data Project
A dance show by a disability arts ensemble makes a critic muse about what information the audience needs, and learn new ways to connect. - The New York Times
Sonja Kostich, a dancer and experienced administrator, said she wanted to expand the offerings and attract a wider, more diverse group of artists to residencies and other programs. "It should be an art center for everyone," she said. - The New York Times
Born in 1872 in St. Petersburg and possibly descended from African servants at the Tsar's court, Maria Skorsiuk was directly recommended by her teacher to Marius Petipa. She danced in the corps and took bit parts for ten years before her career was cut short by tuberculosis. - Pointe Magazine
Joel Burke, founder of BIG (Ballet International Gala) in Brisbane: "I grew up playing footy and cricket. There's no reason why ballet can't be like that; I don't like the whole idea of going to the ballet and having to be quiet and not cheer." - The Guardian
After dancing as a principal at New York City Ballet under Balanchine, she became a TV reporter, ballet instructor, head of the Balanchine Foundation, and co-founder of the dance company Morphoses before returning to her hometown to stabilize MCB after the firing of founder Edward Villella. - MSN (The Miami Herald)
Melissa Barak was a leading dancer for Los Angeles Ballet during its first five seasons. She also performed with New York City Ballet, and in 2013 founded her own contemporary ballet company, Barak Ballet, which is on hold while Barak focuses on her new position. - Los Angeles Times
Some are continuing to create dance as possible; most are doing volunteer work as well. Several are developing ways to assist solders with stress (physical and mental); one couple is devising a method to teach them how to fall, crawl, and get up without injuring themselves. - The New York Times
Aaron Watkin, a 52-year-old Canadian who has spent the last 16 years as artistic director of the Semperoper Ballett in Dresden, actually danced with ENB for two seasons three decades ago. He officially becomes the company's artistic director next August; Rojo heads to San Francisco Ballet this January. - The Guardian
Performers who work or worked at the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar in North Hollywood have been picketing for months, arguing that working conditions aren't safe, compensation is sometimes withheld, and complainants have been fired or locked out. Now the actors' union has come to their aid. - The Hollywood Reporter
If people are ragging on poor Sanna Marin, the Finnish prime minister who was videotaped while out partying, then Lyndsey Winship will wield her gimlet eye and keyboard to choose her top three and bottom three world-leader dance moves. (There is a Boris in each bracket.) - The Guardian
Every dance is site-specific in some sense, but, in a warming world changed by war, political upheaval and a pandemic, some choreographers forgo traditional venues entirely. Whether their work is about climate change, social dynamics, systemic oppression or community vibrance. - Dance Magazine
