A studio course in contemporary ballet technique for advanced students. The course will consist of an advanced ballet class and explorations into contemporary choreography through readings, viewings, and the learning of repertory. The course will focus on three renowned choreographers: Marius Petipa, George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon. Students will be coached by three prominent guest artists: Heather Watts, Ashley Tuttle, Jeffrey Edwards.
Sample reading list:
Nancy Reynolds, No Fixed Points
Lynn Garafola, Legacies of the Twentieth Century
Terry Teachout, All in the Dances: A Brief Life of George Balanchine
Roland John Wiley, Tchaikovsky’s Ballets
Joan Acocella, The New Yorker
Alastair Macaulay, The New York Times
Reading/Writing assignments:
Students will write four papers relating to the development of ballet in the 20th and 21st century and develop three short creative movement projects which will account for 30% of the final grade.
Other information:
The course will culminate in an end of semester informal showing of all repertory and creative projects. Three one hour fifty minute classes plus a commitment to take two additional dance classes per week.
