What’s New
Calling Choreographers!
First Look is an annual curated program of work by emerging and established dance artists presented by Brooklyn Ballet. Selected artists present work up to 12 minutes-long with full stage lighting, a technical rehearsal, technical staff and marketing support, all free of charge. First Look aims to give Brooklyn audiences a “first look” at a dance work - either a new piece or a work not yet seen in Brooklyn.
We welcome applications from emerging and established choreographers exploring new work. Works of any genre will be considered, and works in progress are welcome. Performances will take place at The Actors Fund Arts Center in Downtown Brooklyn. Preference will be given to work showcasing creative investigation and inquiry. We look for choreographers who display thoughtfulness and curiosity about their craft.
Benefits to the Artists:
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Fully produced dance work with stage lighting and technical staff.
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Video footage of the work.
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$5/hour rehearsal space at Brooklyn Ballet studio (pending availability).
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Marketing support.
Application Requirements:
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The work presented must be 12 minutes or less.
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It must be a new work, or a work created within the last two years.
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The work must not have been presented in Brooklyn within the past three months.
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The work sample may be different than the piece you wish to present, but choreographic reels, or edited footage will not be accepted.
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Only 1 piece per choreographer will be accepted.
Application deadline is May 25, 2017 at 11:59pm.
For further information visit brooklynballet.org/firstlook2017. For application questions, email [email protected].
Pictured above: Mari Meade Dance Collective in 2016's First Look by Billie Grace Ward.
Brooklyn Ballet at City Hall
Last month, on Feburary 28 Brooklyn Ballet had the honor of performing at City Hall for a Black History Month celebration. The event was hosted by City council speaker Melissa Mark- Viverito and the New York City Council Black, Latino and Asian Caucus with co chairs council members Robert Cornegy and Ritchie Torres. Dancers Courtney Cochran, Christine Sawyer and Mike Fields performed for the esteemed audience of about 100 attendees.
Upcoming Master Classes & Workshops
Contemporary Ballet Master Class with Manuel Vignoulle
February 18, 1:30-3:30pm
3-Day Modern Dance Workshop with Belinda McGuire
February 22, 23, 24, 4:30-7:00pm
Greatness and Inspired Service
The event's keynote speaker was Congressman and Civil Rights Leader John Lewis. His speech was riveting - his journey, from a family farm in segregated Alabama to becoming an American hero and moral leader, emboldens us all to stand up for fairness and to serve our communities.
Brooklyn Ballet performed two more times on Friday, at PS 276 in Canarsie and PS 251 in Flatlands. This marks our 13th year of Elevate public school dance residencies, impacting thousands of students, many going on to arts focused high schools, colleges, and professional dance careers. Monday we continue Elevate performances at PS 243 in Weeksville and PS 307 in Vinegar Hill.
Join our Kickstarter Campaign!
Brooklyn Ballet is launching our biggest production yet, the premiere of The Brooklyn Nutcracker at the world-renowned Brooklyn Museum. The Brooklyn Nutcracker is a updated take on a holiday classic, with multicultural dance forms, motion-sensor costuming, a digital set-design, and over 50 children performing from Brooklyn Ballet Youth Ensemble. Your support helps us provide choreographer and dancer fees, costume, lighting and set design, as well as rehearsal directors, coaches, and Company faculty.
Click here to watch a video of our project, check out the unique rewards we have to offer and become a backer!
We're so grateful to all of our backers so far, and hope you will join us in making this magical production come to life!
The Brooklyn Nutcracker School Matinee
Thursday, December 8
11am-12:30pm
The Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY
Tickets are only $10 per seat!
The Brooklyn Nutcracker transforms familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes to represent the diverse traditions and vibrant culture of melting pot Brooklyn. Starting from the point of view of old Dutch Brooklyn and leading to our iconic Flatbush Avenue, the production is fresh and full of virtuosity— in essence, a love letter to the borough we call home.
The Brooklyn Nutcracker works together with Brooklyn’s diverse communities on a Nutcracker we can call our own. It will be exciting for your students to see Brooklyn Ballet’s professional dancers joined by child performers, many of whom also attend the Brooklyn schools.
The performance is appropriate for all ages.
If you are a school teacher, principal or parent who is interested in more information, email [email protected].
Thank you to Con Edison for sponsoring our school matinee.
Join us Opening Night!
December 7 at 6:00pm
Celebrate with us! The delicious seasonal menu includes:
- WINE AND BEER
- HORS D' OEUVRES
Bombay Snack Mix
Crispy Legumes, Coconut, Cilantro, Red Onion & Lime
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FIRST COURSE
Not The Norm Caesar
Gem Lettuce, Hand-torn Croutons, Anchovy & Parmesan -
ENTRÉE
Aged Ribeye
Smoked Japanese Turnip, Sweet Peas & Braised Short Rib Cannelloni
Or
Mushroom Pastilla
Rainbow Swiss Chard, Chickpeas, Harissa
- DESSERT
Chef's Selection of Petits Fours
- COFFEE AND TEA
The meal is followed by the performance of The Brooklyn Nutcracker, an innovative and uplifting production embracing multi-cultural dance forms and styles.
Tickets include seated dinner, 1st tier performance seats, and a champagne toast at intermission.
To purchase tickets, click here and select Dinner + Performance seats.
Or call 718-246-0146.
More about The Norm at Brooklyn Museum:
The Norm at Brooklyn Museum is a restaurant concept inspired by the cultural diversity of Brooklyn. Led by Michelin-starred Chef Saul Bolton, the menu encourages a gastronomic exploration of the borough’s multi-cultural heritage, incorporating Indian, Mexican, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Indo-Chinese and all-American elements.
Designed by Anda Andrei, Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture and Design DPC, the space is inspired by the museum's maze of secret and mysterious storage spaces. The restaurant affords guests the opportunity to experience the institution in a completely new way, with a sense of being admitted into the museum's inner sanctum. Patrons are surrounded by priceless paintings from the museum's collections and the crates that store them. The artworks reference different eras and cultures, and are hung in no particular order, as though awaiting their turn to be showcased in an exhibition.
More about The Brooklyn Nutcracker:
A re-imagined holiday classic, The Brooklyn Nutcracker fuses ballet, hip-hop and a myriad of world dance genres to create a new tradition for today’s audience. The Brooklyn Nutcracker transforms familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes to represent the diverse traditions and vibrant culture of melting pot Brooklyn. Starting from the point of view of old Dutch Brooklyn and leading to the iconic Flatbush Avenue, the production is fresh and full of virtuosity—in essence, a moving Christmas card to the borough Brooklyn Ballet calls home.
All Opening Night tickets include champagne toast at intermission. Dinner + Performance tickets include pre-performance dinner at The Norm, beginning at 6:00pm.
Brooklyn Ballet in Broadway World
Click the link below to read about us in Broadway World!
Brooklyn Ballet Presents THE BROOKLYN NUTCRACKER
Brooklyn Ballet in Association with the Brooklyn Museum Presents The Brooklyn Nutcracker
NEW YORK, October 18, 2016 — Brooklyn Ballet, a unique and interdisciplinary dance company rooted in the classical idiom, presents the premiere of The Brooklyn Nutcracker, December 7-9 and 11 at the Brooklyn Museum. A re-imagined holiday classic, The Brooklyn Nutcracker fuses ballet, hip-hop and a myriad of world dance genres to create a new tradition for today’s audience. The Brooklyn Nutcracker transforms familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes to represent the diverse traditions and vibrant culture of melting pot Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn Nutcracker @ Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn Ballet Open House!
Brooklyn Ballet Open House
Saturday, September 10
All Classes Free!
9:45-10:15
Pre-Ballet I/II (ages 3 and 4 by September)
with Wendy Clark
10:30-11:00
Pre-Ballet I/II (ages 3 and 4 by September)
with Christine Scheibl
11:00-11:30
Elementary Ballet I/II (ages 5/6 by September)
with Elisabet Rubio
11:30-12:00
Boys Ballet (ages 8+ by September)
with David Fernandez
12:00-12:30
Broadway Jazz (ages 8+ by September)
with Nia Lancelin
12:30-1:30
*Ballet I/II (ages 8+ by September)
with Maria Piedad
1:30-2:30
*Ballet III/IV with Jillian Greis
2:30-3:00
*Modern (ages 10+)
with Brittany Engel-Adams
5:00-6:15
Adult Ballet Fundamentals
with Yana Volkova
*Denotes placement class
Schedule subject to change
Thank you to Capezio for giving a 15% discount to Brooklyn Ballet students!
Visit the Capezio pop-up shop on Sat, Sept 10 from 9am-3pm.
First Look 2016
This year's First Look is curated by our very own Richard Glover and Remi Harris. Performances will take place June 24-25, 8pm at The Actors Fund Arts Center (160 Schermerhorn Street).
We are excited to announce two unique programs. Friday night's performance will feature work by Vanessa Long, Ezra Goh, Aaron Atkins, Caroline Brethenoux, Andrea Gise, Jillian Greis, Giorgia Bovo, Jenny Boissiere, Mari Meade Montoya, Gentry Isaiah George, Margarent Yuen, and Nikki Theroux. Saturday night's performance will include work by Eryn Renee Young, Ariel Grossman, Luisa Martinez, William Isaac, Andrea Gise, Bryanna Brock, Sarah Chien, Whitney Jacobs, Lynn Parkerson, Nellie Rainwater, and Marilyn Klaus. Check out the images below for a sneak peak at what these talented choreographers have to offer!
Both performances offer exciting new and in process works by a diverse array of choreographers. And if that's not enough to convince you, each ticket sold for Friday's show comes with a complimentary beer as part of our Free Beer Fridays.
General admission tickets are available for purchase online and will also be available at the door. We can't wait to see you there!
Photos © Mickey Hoelscher, David Gonsier, Richard Ong, Whitney Jacobs, Ezra Goh, & Samantha Siegal
Next Step Summer Intensive & Children's Ballet Camps
Next Step Summer Intensive (August 8-September 2, 2016)
August 8–August 19
Monday–Friday
Levels I, II, & III
August 22–September 2
Monday–Friday
Levels II, III, & IV
Next Step prepares dancers for professional and high school performing arts auditions and cultivates strong, well-trained, educated and independent dancers. The daily schedule includes:
- Ballet Technique
- Pointe/Pre-Pointe
- Choreography
- Modern
- Yoga/Stretch
- Character
- Variations
Program Fees:
1 week: $500
2 weeks: $950
3 weeks: $1,100
4 weeks: $1,250
About The Next Step Program:
Brooklyn Ballet’s Next Step program (Ages 8–18) is designed to give each participant a solid technical foundation, based in classical training, upon which to build his or her own creative power. We aim to prepare dancers for professional and high school performing arts auditions while cultivating increased technical ability. Students are also offered a performance opportunity where they will collaborate with Brooklyn Ballet’s Artistic Director Lynn Parkerson and Next Step Director, Richard Glover. A culminating performance will be held at The Actors Fund Arts Center, in the heart of downtown Brooklyn.
In addition to training for greater technical ability, students of Next Step summer dance intensive train for performance. On the Friday of each week, students will perform in a showing for friends and parents to demonstrate the choreography and class exercises they have worked on throughout the intensive.
Children Summer Camps
Pre-Ballet Camp 2016 (Ages 3-4)* | Monday–Thursday • June 27-30
Morning Session
10:00-11:00: Pre-Ballet
11:00-11:30: Dance Education or Arts & Crafts and Snack*
11:30-12:00: Tumbling
Afternoon Session
12:30-1:30: Pre-Ballet
1:30-2:00: Dance Education or Arts & Crafts and Snack*
2:00-2:30: Tumbling
Pre-Ballet camps will include an in-studio showing during the last half hour on Thursday.
Elementary Day Camp 2016 (Ages 5-7)* Monday–Friday • July 11-July 15 | July 18-July 22 | July 25-July 29
8:30: Early Drop Off (Additional $20 fee/week)
9:00-10:00: Dance Education and morning snack
10:00-10:45: Elementary Ballet
10:45-11:30: Broadway Jazz
11:30-12:15: Lunch* and Dance Video>
12:15-1:00: Choreography Workshop
1:00-2:00: Arts & Crafts and Snack*
2:00-3:00: Tumbling
3:00-6:00: After Camp Daycare (Additional $80 fee/week)
Elementary camps will include an in-studio showing at 2:30 on the last Friday.
*Each Child must provide his/her own snack and lunch and must be indicated age by September of the current school year (2015-2016).
For more information about auditioning for the Next Step Summer Intensive or the Children's Summer Camps call us at 718-246-0146 or email us at [email protected].
Free Performance at St. Francis College!
Call For Choreographers!
First Look is an annual curated program of work by emerging and established dance artists presented by Brooklyn Ballet. Selected artists present a work up to 10 minutes-long with full stage lighting, a technical rehearsal, technical staff and marketing support, all free of charge.
We welcome applications from emerging and established choreographers exploring new work. Works of any genre will be considered, and works in progress are welcome. Performances will take place at The Actors Fund Arts Center in Downtown Brooklyn.
Previous First Look performances have included work by Amanda Hinchey, Boink! Dance, Caitlin Dutton, Crystal Bella, Kristin Draucker, Laura Hydak, Marika Brussel, Remi Harris, Shawn T. Bible, Shot of Scotch, Suzan Polat, The Lovelies, William Ervin, Gierre Godley, Nikki Hefko, Sarah Holmes, Kate Ladenheim, Mari Meade Montoya, Nellie Rainwater, Randy Burd, and Amy Miller.
Application deadline is April 1, 2016.
For questions or further information, please email info@brooklynballet.org.
Limón Workshop with Belinda McGuire
The Actorʼs Fund Theater
Saturdays 1:30-3:30pm | January 30, February 13, February 27, and March 5
$25 for a single class | $85 for all 4 sessions
Free for Brooklyn Ballet Students at the Ballet II level and higher!
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BELINDA MCGUIRE (Dancer, Director, Choreographer), originally from Toronto, graduated from The Juilliard School (BFA 2006). Through Belinda McGuire Dance Projects, she performs primarily solo work, choreographs and engages in collaboration and production. McGuire was nominated for the 2013 Dora Award for Outstanding Performance (The Heist Project), was an Artiste en Passant at The International Choreographic Arts Centre Amsterdam in 2010, a recipient of the 2008 Bessie Schönberg Residency at the Yard, and was recognized by the 2007 Susan Braun Award of The Dance Films Association. Her choreography has been presented at the Festival de la Ciudad 2009 (Merida, Yucatan Mexico), the Canada Dance Festival (Ottawa), in Toronto and in New York City on the stages of the Peter Jay Sharp Theater and Alice Tully Hall, Joyce Soho as well as in DUMBO, Brooklyn. She has danced with The José Limón Dance Company, Gallim Dance, Doug Varone and Dancers, Ofelia Lorette de Mola's DANSCORES, the DOORKNOB Company and The Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre. She teaches and choreographs as a guest artist in New York City for The Limón Institute, The Juilliard School, and Dance New Amsterdam, for the New Jersey Dance Theater Ensemble, CCDT in Toronto and for various other schools and universities across North America.
Limón Technique: During the course of his career, José Limón created what is now known as the "Limón technique". According to the Limón Institute, the technique "emphasizes the natural rhythms of fall and recovery and the interplay between weight and weightlessness to provide dancers with an organic approach to movement that easily adapts to a range of choreographic styles."
Discounted Rehearsal Space – Book Today!
Master Class with Ruby Aver: Thursday, January 28, 4:30-7:00 PM
$30 Master Class Rate
$20 Brooklyn Ballet Family Rate
To register click here!
Ruby Aver performed extensively since 1973 in North America, South America and Europe. Ruby’s first ballet instructor, Ed Parish was Bronislava Nijinkska trained. At the age of 14, Ruby was the youngest dancer ever to place in the Chicago Dance Competition, judged by renowned dance historian Ann Barzel. In 1971 Ruby was awarded a full talent scholarship to the Harkness School of Ballet in Manhattan by Master Teacher David Howard, where she went on to become an apprentice with the Harkness Ballet Company. She performed as a soloist with the Chicago Ballet Company and Ballet DeCaracas of Venezuela. She was principal dancer for Het Scapino Ballet of the Netherlands, where “Firebird” was set on her by choreographer Job Sanders, and where she performed annually for the Queen of Holland. During these years she taught and coached dancers in the above companies and school, as well as for the Hubbard Street Dance Company of Chicago. In addition to classical ballet, Ruby has performed contemporary ballet by Hans VanMannen and Nils Christie, Jazz choreography by Matt Mattox, and dance theater pieces by company members from Pina Bausch and Wuppertaal Tanzteatre. Other highlights of her performing career were working with the National Ballet of Canada for Rudolf Nureyev in his production of “Don Quixote. Ruby has been the Ballet Professor at Simon’s Rock College of Bard since 2004 and the Ballet Director and instructor for Berkshire Pulse, in Western Mass since 2005.
“Today, Ruby passes on the high standards she gained as a performer and teacher enabling her students to be accepted into some of the best ballet schools for further study. I applaud her for her commitment to the art of ballet, giving young dancers a solid foundation for them to succeed.” -David Howard, Master Teacher
We Did It!
We are thrilled to announce that The Brooklyn Nutcracker Sweet! project on Kickstarter was 103% funded by 101 generous donors! We are over the moon excited by this milestone and we have YOU to thank. We are 110% grateful.
Spotlight on The Brooklyn Nutcracker Sweet Collaborators
With just 10 days left in our campaign, we can’t stop now. Keep the support for The Brooklyn Nutcracker Sweet coming! Share this one-of-a-kind production with your friends and family and encourage them to donate. Every dollar counts towards Brooklyn-nizing everyone’s favorite holiday classic! Donate today!
This week we wanted to introduce you to a few of our amazing collaborators that have been working on The Brooklyn Nutcracker Sweet! production with us:
Meet Avram Finklestein, our incredible Art Director. Avram is an artist and writer living in Brooklyn. He is a founding member of the collective responsible for Silence=Death and AIDSGATE, which was recently included in Regarding Warhol: Sixty Artists, Fifty Years at The Metropolitan Museum in New York. He is also a founding member of the art collective, Gran Fury, with whom he collaborated on public art projects for international institutions including The Whitney Museum of American Art, The Venice Biennale, ArtForum, MOCA LA, The New Museum of Contemporary Art, Creative Time, and The Public Art Fund. The collective had its first retrospective at 80 WSE in 2012, and has work in the permanent collections of The Whitney, MoMA, The New Museum and The New York Public Library. www.avramfinkelstein.com
Meet Leila Ligougne, our amazing LED Tutu Designer. Leila is a New Yorker by adoption. She has lived in Quebec, Paris, London and New York getting inspired from the youngest of age. After studying in Paris, and having her clothing line in Canada, Leila spent most of her career getting a rich experience from collaborating with renowned architect Gaetano Pesce and working the two opposite ends of the fashion design and business spectrum alongside Catherine Malandrino and later as a Design Director at Victoria’s Secret. Most, recently, she started “Ligougne Studio” consulting in the fashion industry and started an eponymous collection of summer dresses and cover-ups. Ligougne is always dabbling with art and she is now also pursuing her interest in forward computational fashion. www. leilaligougne.com
Last but certainly not least, meet Sylvia Nolan, our wonderful costume designer. Sylvia is Resident Costume Designer at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where she has been working for over 14 years. She is at the head of the main costume shop: here, the staff makes or modifies costumes and accessories for 28 productions, put on during the 33 weeks of a theater season. She also has a passion for ballet: she permanently works for the New York Theatre Ballet and has been collaborating with internationally renowned choreographers, such as Martha Connerton, Matthew Neenan and Benoit-Swan Pouffer. Learn more about Sylvia via her feature in Vogue Italia.
