I feel old...especially when I come across pictures from past birthdays...
Friday, July 31, 2009
Getting Old, Haha
Today's my 21st birthday!
I feel old...especially when I come across pictures from past birthdays...
I feel old...especially when I come across pictures from past birthdays...
Friday, July 24, 2009
Outrage - Until I Catch Up on Blogging...
Until I catch up on posts (I keep saying I will...and really, it will happen some day....much to tell still about ABT super-ing, Austria plans cancelled, a few reviews, upcoming performances in August, and more)...but...
If you haven't already, please read this (outrageous) report from Bloomberg about NYCB's 2008 salaries.
And then read the new NYTimes article about those 11 laid of NYCB corps de ballet dancers.
AND THEN read some of the comments on the NYTimes blog asking, "What advice would you give to a young unemployed dancer?"
I have oh so MUCH to say about this but haven't the time right now. For a preview you can see I've been going off a bit on Twitter, where I first found that Bloomberg article.
Happy Friday. More to come...
If you haven't already, please read this (outrageous) report from Bloomberg about NYCB's 2008 salaries.
And then read the new NYTimes article about those 11 laid of NYCB corps de ballet dancers.
AND THEN read some of the comments on the NYTimes blog asking, "What advice would you give to a young unemployed dancer?"
I have oh so MUCH to say about this but haven't the time right now. For a preview you can see I've been going off a bit on Twitter, where I first found that Bloomberg article.
Happy Friday. More to come...
Monday, July 13, 2009
Two Year Blog Anniversary!
Today marks the 2 year anniversary of this blog, Off Center – and it seems I’ve come full circle. My very first post was about my first time performing on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House here in NYC as a super in American Ballet Theater’s “Romeo & Juliet” in 2007. And my next post will largely be about the same experience, only two years, two degrees, millions of tendus, 540 posts, thousands of visitors, and endless amounts of drama later.
Though I’m starting and ending (well, this is by no means the end!) in roughly the same place, this circle has not come without its (gigantic) ups and downs. I’ve had a few dreams come true that I’ve shared through my blogging, and many more hopes shattered, but all the while I’ve done my best to keep posting, sharing, and commenting through my writing lens, my view as a dancer and writer and dreamer in the greatest city in the world.
There have been times, especially of late, where I haven’t written much or posted often, and yet I still have new visitors, familiar commenters, and rising page views. I cannot express how grateful I am for everyone who has bothered to read what I have to say, even if only once or twice. Though an initial goal was indeed to get my writing out there, I never imagined how this (and all the other wonderful) dance blog would take off as it did. I’ve met many incredible people, both in person and online, through the online dance community and I am extremely thankful to be an active part of it. It means so much to check my statistics every morning and see that some people, somewhere, have read something I’ve had to say before I’ve even gotten up in the morning. I know – cheesy – but it’s true! Haha.
As I look at all that’s happened over the past two years and all of my posts on my popular topics, I am reminded of how appreciative I am for all of the opportunities I’ve had (some directly resulting from my blogging!), and even more grateful for the people who have helped me along the way. I would not be here without the support and encouragement from a few of those very special people! Life is an endless learning experience and even the times and people I’ve come across that have been less than pleasant have certainly taught me something about myself and of life.
I have to thank my fellow bloggers as well, who are wondrous at keeping me inspired with their knowledge, passion, and dedication to their writing. And of course you, my readers, for your loyalty and just for simply taking the time to listen to my rambling, haha. I can’t say it’s always interesting, but I hope something on here might have meant something to you as well.
I may have mentioned before, but I’m a very nostalgic person. So mostly for myself to take a look back over some fun memories of the past two years, here’s a little photo timeline of blog highlights : )
First off, this was the picture that inspired the title of my blog, haha. This was just before performing Balanchine's "Divertimento No. 15" with BAE, my last performance of my "ballet school" life and just before entering the "real world" and the blogosphere!
These next two are from when I first super-ed with ABT in R&J in 2007, particularly for Alessandra Ferri's retirement performance! That's her onstage in her last curtain calls. What an experience to be in the wings for that...
That fall I did Nutcracker with a company out in Connecticut, my first real paid ballet job...
And then I graduated from college. At the time it seemed like a bright idea to overwork myself and finish Marymount Manhattan College in 2 1/2 years...although now with this awful job market I suppose I should've taken my time...(this picture was from a mini-graduation party/post-performance party when some of my family came to visit, haha)
A lot more happened in there, like teaching/choreographing for the first time totally on my own, being an apprentice with RKBallet, interning at The New Yorker, learning a ton from the Dance Writing Course at DTW, attending ABT's 3-week summer intensive, getting a ballet contract in Minneapolis and the resulting fiasco, and so on, but apparently I was in non-picture taking mode around that time or something, because I have about zero pictures from a lot of these things. Guess that's why I blogged in writing...(maybe this photo timeline was a bad idea) haha...
Then we arrive at the dream come true part. Radio City.
I could continue to go on and on and on, but I think I'll stop there for now...
I hope to keep up more in the coming weeks and write more about the many things that have been happening this summer…but for now, I’ll soon post more on last week when I super-ed with ABT again in R&J! Here's to the next year of blogging :)
Though I’m starting and ending (well, this is by no means the end!) in roughly the same place, this circle has not come without its (gigantic) ups and downs. I’ve had a few dreams come true that I’ve shared through my blogging, and many more hopes shattered, but all the while I’ve done my best to keep posting, sharing, and commenting through my writing lens, my view as a dancer and writer and dreamer in the greatest city in the world.
There have been times, especially of late, where I haven’t written much or posted often, and yet I still have new visitors, familiar commenters, and rising page views. I cannot express how grateful I am for everyone who has bothered to read what I have to say, even if only once or twice. Though an initial goal was indeed to get my writing out there, I never imagined how this (and all the other wonderful) dance blog would take off as it did. I’ve met many incredible people, both in person and online, through the online dance community and I am extremely thankful to be an active part of it. It means so much to check my statistics every morning and see that some people, somewhere, have read something I’ve had to say before I’ve even gotten up in the morning. I know – cheesy – but it’s true! Haha.
As I look at all that’s happened over the past two years and all of my posts on my popular topics, I am reminded of how appreciative I am for all of the opportunities I’ve had (some directly resulting from my blogging!), and even more grateful for the people who have helped me along the way. I would not be here without the support and encouragement from a few of those very special people! Life is an endless learning experience and even the times and people I’ve come across that have been less than pleasant have certainly taught me something about myself and of life.
I have to thank my fellow bloggers as well, who are wondrous at keeping me inspired with their knowledge, passion, and dedication to their writing. And of course you, my readers, for your loyalty and just for simply taking the time to listen to my rambling, haha. I can’t say it’s always interesting, but I hope something on here might have meant something to you as well.
I may have mentioned before, but I’m a very nostalgic person. So mostly for myself to take a look back over some fun memories of the past two years, here’s a little photo timeline of blog highlights : )
First off, this was the picture that inspired the title of my blog, haha. This was just before performing Balanchine's "Divertimento No. 15" with BAE, my last performance of my "ballet school" life and just before entering the "real world" and the blogosphere!
These next two are from when I first super-ed with ABT in R&J in 2007, particularly for Alessandra Ferri's retirement performance! That's her onstage in her last curtain calls. What an experience to be in the wings for that...
That fall I did Nutcracker with a company out in Connecticut, my first real paid ballet job...
And then I graduated from college. At the time it seemed like a bright idea to overwork myself and finish Marymount Manhattan College in 2 1/2 years...although now with this awful job market I suppose I should've taken my time...(this picture was from a mini-graduation party/post-performance party when some of my family came to visit, haha)
A lot more happened in there, like teaching/choreographing for the first time totally on my own, being an apprentice with RKBallet, interning at The New Yorker, learning a ton from the Dance Writing Course at DTW, attending ABT's 3-week summer intensive, getting a ballet contract in Minneapolis and the resulting fiasco, and so on, but apparently I was in non-picture taking mode around that time or something, because I have about zero pictures from a lot of these things. Guess that's why I blogged in writing...(maybe this photo timeline was a bad idea) haha...
Then we arrive at the dream come true part. Radio City.
I could continue to go on and on and on, but I think I'll stop there for now...
I hope to keep up more in the coming weeks and write more about the many things that have been happening this summer…but for now, I’ll soon post more on last week when I super-ed with ABT again in R&J! Here's to the next year of blogging :)
Thursday, July 9, 2009
A Few ABT R&J Backstage Super Pics
More to come and lots of writing about the week and the various casts to come eventually...here are a few pictures from backstage as a bridesmaid super with ABT in Romeo & Juliet! 3 more shows left between tomorrow and Saturday...
(with Judi, whose school I taught at last spring!)
(with Judi, whose school I taught at last spring!)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Updates: ABT R&J, Austria, Career Videos, + July 4th
Yet again I apologize for the slow blogging...a lot of stuff is happening right now and not all of it so great, so until I get back in control of life here's another quickie post on many rather random things...
-This week I've been at the beautiful Metropolitan Opera House super-ing with ABT again in Romeo & Juliet. If you haven't already read it, you can see what I wrote about the first time I did this part two years ago, here (or from this season's Corsaire, here.) I'll definitely be writing more about it as the week ends, but suffice it to say that it's been a great experience as always! I love that stage, and being up close with the dancers is always interesting. So far Diana Vishneva and Marcelo Gomes danced the leads Monday (Marcelo is the ideal Romeo!), Tuesday was my favorite so far (they repeat Saturday night!), Irina Dvorovenko and Roberto Bolle, and today was Gillian Murphy and the lovely David Hallberg. I'm looking forward to Paloma Herrera and Marcelo at tonight's show...more details (and pictures!) soon.
-In other news, my month-long summer trip to dance and perform in Austria is now off. It's a long story that will be explained at some point, but a major factor was that I couldn't find anyone to sublet my apartment here in the city. Apartments seem to rule my life, haha (remember last summer's mess?) Anyway I always have to remind myself that everything happens for a reason and hopefully something better will come along instead. I wasn't too thrilled about canceling though :(
-Completely off topic (but not really...): Career Transition for Dancers recently started posting their Career Conversation videos online for everyone to view for free. I spoke at one of these a few months ago and even as a panelist I learned a lot. The organization is such a great resource for the dance world and now that these videos are available you can really take advantage of their offerings and information. Do check it out. You can watch online, download, or subscribe via iTunes. I'll let you know if the video I'm in is posted sometime soon (except I hate watching myself on video, even just talking haha).
-Though the past two weeks have brought some tough times all at once (more on that soon, too...), I did get to enjoy a nice 4th of July celebration here in the city. Saturday was a gorgeous night in lower Manhattan, and the fireworks over the Hudson were great. Here are some pictures!
-This week I've been at the beautiful Metropolitan Opera House super-ing with ABT again in Romeo & Juliet. If you haven't already read it, you can see what I wrote about the first time I did this part two years ago, here (or from this season's Corsaire, here.) I'll definitely be writing more about it as the week ends, but suffice it to say that it's been a great experience as always! I love that stage, and being up close with the dancers is always interesting. So far Diana Vishneva and Marcelo Gomes danced the leads Monday (Marcelo is the ideal Romeo!), Tuesday was my favorite so far (they repeat Saturday night!), Irina Dvorovenko and Roberto Bolle, and today was Gillian Murphy and the lovely David Hallberg. I'm looking forward to Paloma Herrera and Marcelo at tonight's show...more details (and pictures!) soon.
-In other news, my month-long summer trip to dance and perform in Austria is now off. It's a long story that will be explained at some point, but a major factor was that I couldn't find anyone to sublet my apartment here in the city. Apartments seem to rule my life, haha (remember last summer's mess?) Anyway I always have to remind myself that everything happens for a reason and hopefully something better will come along instead. I wasn't too thrilled about canceling though :(
-Completely off topic (but not really...): Career Transition for Dancers recently started posting their Career Conversation videos online for everyone to view for free. I spoke at one of these a few months ago and even as a panelist I learned a lot. The organization is such a great resource for the dance world and now that these videos are available you can really take advantage of their offerings and information. Do check it out. You can watch online, download, or subscribe via iTunes. I'll let you know if the video I'm in is posted sometime soon (except I hate watching myself on video, even just talking haha).
-Though the past two weeks have brought some tough times all at once (more on that soon, too...), I did get to enjoy a nice 4th of July celebration here in the city. Saturday was a gorgeous night in lower Manhattan, and the fireworks over the Hudson were great. Here are some pictures!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
It's July?
I honestly cannot even believe it's already July. Yikes.
My teacher's ballet e-newsletter for July that I help with is out here, if you want to check it out.
Also it looks like I'll be super-ing again with ABT next week in Romeo & Juliet. I did the same part two years ago when they did this ballet, and wrote about it here. More to come...it's been a really rough couple of days...details soon.
My teacher's ballet e-newsletter for July that I help with is out here, if you want to check it out.
Also it looks like I'll be super-ing again with ABT next week in Romeo & Juliet. I did the same part two years ago when they did this ballet, and wrote about it here. More to come...it's been a really rough couple of days...details soon.
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