Week of August 9-13, 2021

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ABTKids Daily Replay

In case you missed it! Enjoy these activities originally posted the week of July 20-24, 2020.

Ballet Villain Week

This week ABTKids Daily celebrates the characters we love to boo! Our ballet villians love to make trouble by casting their evil spells, turn Princesses into swans, and do everything they can to make life difficult for our protagonists or heroes. While we always cheer for the Prince and Princess, going to the ballet would be so much less fun without a good villain!

Meet a Dancer Monday

Swan Lake - Bringing the von Rothbarts to Life!

Ever wonder what is takes to become a villain? Let’s take a look at how we bring one of ballet’s most notorious villains to life – von Rothbart from Swan Lake!

In Swan Lake, the von Rothbart Lakeside and Ballroom designs are drastically different yet they are meant to be the same person, Lakeside the alter ego of Ballroom. Though the two do not resemble each other much, we do use similar techniques while doing their makeup. In theatrical makeup, using certain contouring techniques help achieve specific looks and characteristics. Contouring at sharp angles not only helps to define the face, it also enhances masculine features and helps create an evil look. Keeping the eyebrows, cheekbones and jawline very straight and angular (verses rounded) helps the audience to interpret this seriousness even from a distance.

Von Rothbart Lakeside looks much more complicated but we use these same concepts and then exaggerate them and use a different color palette, which then creates a less human and more monster look. Lakeside also has a prosthetic headpiece. This headpiece’s base sits on the dancers head like a hat; we then add a disposable baldcap on top of the base. The baldcap is painted and is glued to the dancers face and neck, keeping it on throughout the performance.

Teaching Artist Tuesday

Join one of ABT’s Teaching Artists as they introduce you to one of ABT’s fabulous ballets. Learn a dance, stop and sketch, and don’t forget to have fun!

Up this week: Mr. Adam!

Swan Lake: von Rothbart

What's Up Wednesday

A Ballet Villains Puzzle!

Throwback Thursday

Roman Zhurbin
ABT Soloist
Joined ABT in 2004

Over his 16-year career at American Ballet Theatre, Soloist Roman Zhurbin has made his mark as one of the Company’s finest acting talents. This week we ask him to look back at his career and the many ballet villains he has had the opportunity to bring to life!

Funtime Friday

ABT Dance Libs - Villain Edition

Provide the words below for each Dance Lib game and create your own villain stories!

Villain Rivalry Mashup

Villain Backstory