Archive for theater
January 28, 2008 at 4:05 am · Filed under SLOAN, dance, california, theater, orange county, OCPAC
While I was in LA last weekend, we went out to the Orange County Performing Arts Center for dinner and a mini-tour of their facilities.
I was out of commission the last few times NYC Ballet visited OCPAC, so my only frame of reference was David’s photos and stories from when ABT was there.
The entrance to the original space is very striking, but it was really interesting to see the relatively new Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. It’s beautifully light and airy, and filled with lots of blonde wood and walls of windows. The larger space reminded me a lot of the Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center (with a few tiers of shallow seating behind and above the musicians.) We got to see this space empty, and then came back after dinner for a few songs from the evenings performance with The Crusaders.
An incredible image of Segerstrom Concert Hall ©Damian Dora.
Visit the Artec site for more photos.A smaller space there (I’m assuming it must have been the Samuell Theater) is especially interesting to me, because the size and set up is much like Irving Plaza or Bowery Ballroom. Just like those spaces, popular indie bands play there (
The Walkmen will be there at the end of February), but in this case, the space is right in the middle of a swanky cluster of theaters and unique performers. I thought that was really great.
Out on the plaza area, they currently have a beautifully striking Richard Serra sculpture. Definitely a fun detour!
Recent Posts by kristin sloan
December 11, 2007 at 5:44 am · Filed under dance, tour, Nutcracker, joffrey ballet, LAUREN, theater
For the past week, Joffrey has been on tour in St. Louis opening our 2007 season of Robert Joffrey’s Nutcracker. We arrived on Sunday December 2nd and departed back to Chicago on Sunday December 9th. Having finished 6 performances at the Fox Theater in St. Louis, we embark on the bulk of our season at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago opening on Wednesday December 12th-December 30th.
On our day off, many dancers visited St. Louis’ Gateway Arch located in the downtown area.
The ornate ceiling and upper balcony of the Fox Theater.
The backstage area of the theater is covered with murals of each show that passes through–the ceilings, doors, elevators, walls are heavily decorated to insure that every performer is remembered. It’s such a treat to see each one and recognize friends that have performed in the past at the Fox Theater. Above is our 4th floor dressing room door, The Full Monty.
Dancer Mauro Villanueva signs our own creation for the 2007 Joffrey Nutcracker season.
During Friday Night’s performance I was able to capture a few moments from Act II. Above, dancer Joanna Wozniak as a flower.
The opening of the waltz of the flowers.
Mother Ginger, performed by puppeteer Francis Kane.
Clara, performed by Heather Aagard and Drosselmeyer, performed by Michael Smith react during Mother Ginger’s dance.
Sugarplum pas de deux-performed by Valerie Robin and Fabrice Calmels.
Recent Posts by lauren
December 11, 2007 at 1:07 am · Filed under backstage, dance, Nutcracker, ANNE, ballet austin, texas, feet, theater
Well, plus a couple of school shows…. But “technically” over here at Ballet Austin, we have 11 more Nutcracker performances to go and that’s including the performance we had to add December 21st because tickets are selling so well. Tickets really are selling well, my parents are subscribers and recently received an e-mail about how this upcoming weekend is completely sold out, and it’s only Monday.
I think it surprises some of us how well we’re selling this year in spite of the warm weather. I actually wore a tank top to and from the theatre the other night. So whereas our ads may say “It’s Snowing on Congress”, it’s not exactly snowing in all of Austin. Here’s a shot of Congress, the street where the Paramount Theatre is, just a few blocks away from the capital building. Since my husband, Paul, didn’t have a busy schedule opening night I sent him outside to take some pictures.
The Marquee:
When I get some action shots of this years production I’ll post those, in the meantime, here’s some from behind the scenes:
Just before Company Class, which currently we’re taking regularly at our studios instead of onstage, just a few blocks away from the theatre because of the tighter conditions at the Paramount Theatre. Let me explain a bit more: We’re in a transitional state this year at Ballet Austin. Our beautiful new studios are up and running, and yes, there’s more than one bathroom! (More photos to come…) But our usual theatre, Bass Concert Hall is closed for renovations, and our new home, the Long Center will not be open until March or April. We perform at the Paramount for some of our concert series, but generally do our full length and story ballets at a larger venue that more easily accommodates sets, a full orchestra and has more dressing rooms. We’re in tight quarters at the Paramount but with the huge effort put in by our staff and I think particularly our wonderful Production Staff it has gone incredibly smoothly.
Here’s a couple of Beth in the early stages of putting on her doll makeup for the first time as Michelle coaches her. The doll makeup had to be slightly adapted this year. Michelle and Beth would usually trade off doing the Dresden Doll while the other did Party Mom into Snow Corps, but due to a couple of injuries early on, both girls have to do Snow Corps, so one of them always has a VERY quick change from doll into snow corps.
And of course as with any of us ladies who wear pointe shoes and have endured the wear and tear a long production run can put on your toes. Here’s a “portrait” of the sore toes of Ashley, Melissa and myself:
I have lots more to share that I’ll eventually get around to, lots of exciting things are going on over here! In the meantime, Happy Nutcrackering!
Recent Posts by anne marie melendez
