Week of May 4-8, 2020

To Read
To Watch
To Do

Meet a Dancer Monday

This week meet Corps de Ballet dancer Erica Lall!

Teaching Artist Tuesday

Join Mr. Jeff, Ms. Alexis and Mr. Richard as they introduce you to one of ABT’s fabulous ballets. Learn a dance, stop and sketch, and don’t forget to have fun!

Warming Up!

What's Up Wednesday

ABT Career Corner
with Ashley Baer, Associate Company Manager

“When ABT performs in theatres all over the country and the world, we travel with up to 130 dancers, crew, and staff to make those performance happen! It’s Company Management’s responsibility to get all of those people from place to place by booking flights, hiring buses, finding hotels, and applying for visas. Whenever ABT leaves New York, we put together our very own tour book that includes where to find a nearby grocery store, maps showing the route from the hotel to the theater, and—if we are traveling to a country that does not speak English—how to say ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ in the local language so we can be polite wherever we go. When ABT is performing or rehearsing in New York, some of Company Management’s responsibilities include sorting tickets, keeping track of names for the backstage list, making sure the dancers and crew are paid each week, and planning for the next tours.”

Throwback Thursday

Every Thursday we pull a photo from our archives and share it with one of our ABT dancers. You never know what stories may come from a single snapshot!

Lauren Bonfiglio
ABT Corps de Ballet
Joined ABT as Apprentice in 2014

“When I look at this photo, I hear the beautiful music and feel the joy from when I performed this ballet. This role was an especially important one in my development as a dancer. This photo is from when I was in ABT Studio Company and the ballet was Great Galloping Gottschalk, choreographed by Lynne Taylor-Corbett. This was my first time performing a pas de deux on stage, so I remember the collaborative teamwork between my partner Raphael and me to make this dance look pleasurable and effortless. I was so excited to share the stage with another dancer and tell the story of the pas de deux that we created together. This experience of being partnered enforced how important it is to be patient, work as a team, and be able to laugh at yourself! I recall being so inspired by Susan Jaffe and Robert La Fosse, former Principal Dancers with ABT, on whom the ballet was first choreographed. Raphael and I would watch the video of them online and would try to emulate their qualities and nuances that made this pas de deux so special. There is always more to learn and improve on in ballet, so having a partner, friend, and role model along the way makes your time in rehearsals and performances that much richer and gratifying. On top of this role being one of my favorites, wearing this gorgeous and unique costume made it extra special!”

View More Photos of Lauren!

Writing Prompt

Describe a time when you worked with a partner and achieved success.

Funtime Friday

Company Manager Ashley needs your help figuring out how many miles ABT traveled!

Watch the video to see all the places that ABT went on tour during the 2018 season.