New beginnings…
Sorry for the much needed update all! At the end of June, I finished dancing with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago and moved back to New York City to start working towards finishing my collegiate studies at Fordham University. I had previously finished two years of my undergraduate work prior to joining the Joffrey and embarking on a professional ballet career. It has been such a whirlwind of change but fresh starts can be truly exciting. I resume studies at Fordham in September and am also dancing for the Suzanne Farrell Ballet this season. I look forward to seeing what these new changes will bring to my life as I have so enjoyed seeing how fellow wingers have been thriving with such substantial changes in their careers as well. cheers!
The Arpino spirit…
Mr. A rehearsing "Trinity"-photo courtesy of Mark Goldweber
As the 08′ season of Nutcracker came to an end at the Joffrey this afternoon, the usual excitement and grandeur of this particular production was apparent but Gerald Arpino’s presence was especially missed this season at the Auditorium Theater in his usual famed box seat and backstage greeting and encouraging all the dancers and staff alike. Since I joined the Joffrey in 2004, I will always remember fondly Mr. Arpino passing us by backstage on the way to his seat between acts giving us a tap on the shoulder or a hug and kiss, showing each and every one of us his genuine love and care. It was that spirit that drove us to strive for perfection in every performance and to make each one special and memorable because he would be watching attentively. Mr. Arpino, co-founder of the Joffrey Ballet, is responsible for the choreography in snow and waltz of the flowers in Joffrey’s version. Intricate patterns, distinct musicality, and extreme detail are characteristic to the Arpino style, and most evident in The Nutcracker.
His influence has had a profound impact on my perspective as a dancer, every detail from a simple reaction in the party scene or how to kneel in flowers was significant. Every role was equally important to the production and the success depended on the culmination of everyone working together; it also was a personal belief of his as well, based on the fact that Joffrey is an unranked company, every dancer proves to be a vital member.
Mr. Arpino passed away on October 29, 2008 at the age of 85 after a long illness. It was such an honor and privilege to have worked with such an incredible and passionate artist such as Mr. A. His impact on American dance is everlasting and was certainly ground breaking in his early years with the Joffrey.
Mr. A with dancers and comedian Ana Gasteyer at Nutcracker 05′
An anecdote from former Joffrey dancer, Julianne Kepley, helps paint a vivid picture of Mr. Arpino. “When I first came to Joffrey, Mr. A’s presence was everywhere and almost overwhelming. He could be harsh and sometimes dancers would almost cringe if he came into the studio with a certain look on his face and started scanning the room for someone to nab. He could easily say something that could make a dancer cry. But somehow, I always started to laugh. Not that I didn’t take him seriously. Quite the contrary!!! It was just very funny what he chose to say to get his point across. Like the time he told me he wanted me look like “Julianne” vegetables. “That’s what I want to think of when I look at you, ‘Julianne green beans’!” I had to laugh. And he always laughed with me. It made me love him! It showed me that he wanted the best for me, for all of us. No matter how he put it into words…”
Everyone who encountered Mr. Arpino has a unique story to share and will always remember his unforgettable words. Kathleen Rae Thielhelm, a current company member, recalls her first encounter with Mr. A: “and my first real address, in rehearsal, by mr. a…”hey, you,…what’s your name?” His other notable quotes range from hygiene advice, such as “brush your gums” to “trust me baby; i got things up my sleeves.”
Never a dull moment and with each generation of dancers his impact was the same throughout. We will always have those memories to share with one another and still feel his presence in the studio and theater. Thanks for all the lessons Mr. A! Cheers!
Nutcracker tour 2008
Joffrey just concluded it’s two week Nutcracker tour to Detroit and Washington, DC. We open in Chicago at the Auditorium Theater on Thursday December 19th and continue performing until December 28th. Tour was a wonderful way to kickoff the season and it was a pleasure in both cities to receive encouragement and good reception from the audience.
Kennedy Center in Washington, DC
Getting ready for Act I
shoes prepared for shows…
Rehearsal fun…
Sometimes long hours in the studio can lead to creativity…Today we assembled a new honorary member to the Joffrey–Chuck! We’re working on Nijinsky’s Le Sacre du Printemps ( the rite of spring) right now in addition to Nutcracker rehearsals. “Sacre” is a ballet performed pigeon-toed with pagan inspired movements. Our new member “Chuck” is ready with his notes in hand and turned in feet! Enjoy!
A much needed September update…
With the change of climatic seasons and with a new home for the Joffrey, Chicago has been quite busy with events and performances happening since the start of our 08/09 season. I wanted to update you all on what’s new and exciting.
For starters, I made my choreographic debut on September 15th at the Ruth page center for the arts. “Dance Chance” a program sponsored by Dance Works Chicago is a free program which gives artists and budding choreographers the chance to choreograph freely in front of a public audience. The performance is free and anyone can choreograph–those that choose to, simply enter and are selected in a fishbowl at random during each “Dance Chance” performance, which are held once each month. Typically, there are three pieces on the program and performances usually are no longer than one hour. I selected two coworkers Britt Hillard and Abigail Simon, along with friend and former coworker Justine Humenansky to dance in my piece. Not only was it a success and a rewarding experience for me as a dancer, but I was so honored many colleagues and friends came to support me in the performance.
Justine Humenansky rehearsing.
Abigail Simon, Britt Hillard and Justine Humenansky rehearse at the Joffrey studios.
As well as choreographing, I have been gaining more experience with my photography. I will be contributing to “On Center” Magazine for their 4th issue. “On Center” is a dance publication consisting of photography established by two coworkers of mine, Michael Smith and Sasha Fornari. Their work continues to inspire and amaze me with its ingenuity and groundbreaking ideas. I chose to photograph DanceWorks Chicago in rehearsal. DanceWorks Chicago is six member company directed by Julie Nakagawa, former director of Hubbard Street 2. I t was such a pleasure not only to photograph but observe their amazing talents and superb professionalism in the rehearsal process. I look forward to seeing “On Center” in print and check out for further details!
Sayiga Eugene Peabody and Rebecca Nizoil in rehearsal.
New Joffrey Tower
Here are some photos of the new Joffrey tower. We moved in on Thursday for class and the company officially comes back to work on August 4th. The facility includes three floors including a floor for a new school, the company and administrative offices. More to follow…here’s a few pics!
Jonathan Dummar sews shoes before class-all the studio windows have amazing views of state st.
Main entrance to our new studios.
Studio B
Adventures in Physical Therapy
Last week I sprained my ankle in company class and have been in physical therapy since starting the healing process. It was the first sprain of my career, so it was pretty severe. The day it had occurred I had an ankle bone similar to the size of a tennis ball, but in less than a week the swelling has decreased dramatically and bruising has been flushed in directions away from the ankle bone(i.e to my toes and outside of my calf). Luckily, Joffrey is on layoff for the next four weeks and I have ample time to recover. My progress is going well and I have been working on releves this week in therapy on the reformer. 
I have been having my ankle taped for support and bruising in my toes is clear in this picture.
Joffrey uses Athletico in the East Bank Club in Chicago for therapy.
Farewell to a Tremendous Trio
Wilkins and Shives final bow with Mr. Arpino and Artistic Director Ashley Wheater
On May 25th the Joffrey ended its 2007-2008 season at the Auditorium Theater with a farewell performance honoring Maia Wilkins, Michael Levine and Willy Shives. Three major dancers who have influenced and shaped the Joffrey as the company it is today. Shives will stay within the Joffrey family as a ballet master next season and Levine and Wilkins will continue their artistic endeavors guesting nationally and internationally. As a dancer, I feel so fortunate to have shared the stage with such incredible artists and will miss them immensely! It was such a memorable event watching their final performance amongst my peers…having seen numerous retirement performances as a student in new york it is quite a different feeling when experiencing firsthand. Levine and Wilkins performed Aprino’s “Sea Shadow”, Wilkins and Shives performed Arpino’s ” Ruth Ricordi per due”, and Shives surprised everyone with a solo choreographed by fellow dancer Brian McSween. Additional ballets from Joffrey’s spring season buttressed this special program; Twyla Tharp’s “Waterbaby Bagatelles”, Paul Taylor’s “Cloven Kingdom”, and Lar Lubovitch’s “…Smile with my heart”. Tears were shed, bouts of laughter, stories told…the incredible impact of Levine, Wilkins, and Shives will never vanish. Thanks for the memories, thanks for the lessons, thanks for the inspiration!
Levine and Wilkins after Arpino’s “Sea Shadow”.
Shives and Wilkins in Tudor’s “Lilac garden”
Wilkins and I at Joffrey’s 2008 Spring Gala
On Center Magazine
Two colleagues of mine have recently created a non-profit dance photography magazine titled “On Center Magazine” which features the beautiful and gifted artists of the Joffrey ballet. Sasha Fornari, a photographer for Joffrey and Michael Smith, a company dancer and aspiring photographer are the two co founders of this new publication. Both have also contributed their work to Joffrey’s blog, JPointe. Their composition, attention to detail, and unique perspective evoke images of inspiration and sheer beauty. For further information please visit www.oncentermagazine.com
Dark Elegies
Valerie Robin and ensemble in the 1st song.
Joffrey is currently performing a trio of ballets by Anthony Tudor at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago; celebrating the centennial of Tudor’s birth. Our winter season opened February 20th and runs through March 2nd. The middle ballet on the program is Dark Elegies, a personal favorite of mine. Set to Gustav Mahler’s ”Kindertotenlieder” (”Songs on the Death of Children”), which are sung by Stephen Salters, the ballet depicts a community in mourning. Yet the nature of the disaster that has struck remains unspecified and one is free to speculate and imagine all sorts of catastrophes. The texts of the songs concern the deaths of children, cradling gestures recur and the dancers resemble devastated parents. It is such a powerful piece with so many opportunities to interpret and reflect upon one’s own life experiences. It is such a joy to watch my fellow peers bring an equal amount of skill and emotion to their dancing. As a dancer, it’s also an amazing experience to have live accompaniment on stage - whether it be vocal or instrumental.
1st song.
Stephen Salters and dancer Heather Aagard kneeling.
Victoria Jaini and Michel Levine in the 2nd song.
Erica Lynette Edwards in the 4th song.
Victoria Jaini and Michel Levine in 2nd song.
