Ep.9 The News: The New New

The Metropolitan Museum of Art brings its first ever artist in residence to create new works for live performances in its stunning spaces

From The Met’s website:

2017–18 Artist in Residence:
Andrea Miller and Gallim Dance

The Kennedy Center curates innovation and diversity in a show called, “Ballet Across America”

From the Kennedy Center’s website:

The Kennedy Center honors innovation and diversity in American ballet with the return of this popular weeklong celebration. Placing artists at the center of the conversation as never before, this season’s engagement explores new directions in the art form through programs curated by two of the biggest superstars in the ballet world: ABT Principal Dancer Misty Copeland and New York City Ballet Resident Choreographer and Soloist Justin Peck.

As Copeland and Peck offer their unique perspective and insight via engaging film segments interspersed throughout the performances, audiences will get an extraordinary chance to see the thrill, challenge, and future of dance through their eyes. Each program will also speak to themes central to the Kennedy Center’s centennial celebration of John F. Kennedy, while the first evening for each will be followed by a fascinating discussion with artists from the participating companies.

A spectacular opening night celebration will bring together a variety of special guests in a program that also spotlights two world premiere commissions, both of which focus on the dancer’s journey to artistic freedom. The entire week promises to attract ballet lovers from all across the country and around the world–so be sure to join our one-of-a-kind exploration that could only be dreamed up and delivered by the nation’s center for the performing arts.

From Misty Copeland:

“American ballet is this exquisitely intricate melting pot of different techniques and interpretations. We all bring in our own experiences and interpretations to the stage, especially through choreography. Every dancer has to have so much courage to sustain a career in this beautiful yet demanding art form, but I also think it sets a wonderful example that anything is possible. I hope that American ballet will continue to evolve in a way that really embraces who we are as artists and Americans.”

From Justin Peck:

“Everything I’ve chosen for the festival is something that I hope people across America get to experience and enjoy. American ballet is a community of support and strength, empowering artists with the freedom to cultivate new ideas–it is ultimately an evolutionary art form, requiring many voices to creatively carry forward. To pay respect to the classical technique and form while simultaneously exploring new territory is a challenge that has always inspired me.”