A studio course in Contemporary Ballet technique for advanced dancers. The course will consist of an advanced ballet class and explorations into contemporary choreography through readings, viewings, and the learning of and creation of repertory. The course will focus on three choreographers currently making dances with multiple US and international ballet companies: Helen Pickett, Matthew Neenan, and Alexei Ratmansky as coached by Jeffrey Edwards.
Sample reading list:
Gretchen Alterowitz, Cont. Ballet: Inhabiting the Past While Engaging The Future
Jennifer Fisher, The Ballet Edition
Joan Acocella, The New Yorker
Alastair Macaulay, The New York Times
Jennifer Homans, The Crisis in Contemporary Ballet
Ashley Davidoff MD, Anatomy and History of Contemporary Ballet
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.
Prerequisites and Restrictions:
Application by interview/audition only. Please email Prof. Tina Fehlandt (fehlandt@princeton.edu) as soon as possible for an appointment.
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.
