JKO’s Spring Performance

By Jessica Van Grouw, Training Programs Intern

What does it take to organize the JKO Studio Company and Pre-Professional Spring Performance?  The answer is simple, A LOT!  For starters there is advertising for the event, which consisted of mailing over 4,000 postcards to American Ballet Theatre’s supporters and students.  Boy, oh boy that pile of postcards and address labels seemed ten feet tall but between several of the interns, including myself, we were able to attack the task and finish it within a couple of days, there’s nothing like team work.

This year’s performance took place at PACE University and we were notified that all students needed a photo ID in order to enter the theatre — completely understandable.   The only problem was we don’t have student IDs!  After a run to Staples and help from fellow intern, Amelia, we created nifty photo IDs for all the students.

Another fun task I had for this event dealt with props for some of the dances.  In several of the dances for this year’s Spring Performance tambourines are used, the trick with the tambourines is that pointe shoes and fists tend to find their way through the parchment on the tambourine.  In order to guarantee that through all three performances there would be enough tambourines to go around, and no crisis arises during the performance, I ordered additional tambourines and got to decorate them with ribbons… love arts and crafts opportunities!

Other things such as running to the dry cleaners to pick-up costumes, researching and ordering shoes for the dancers, and packing and loading out costumes for the performance are just a few more of the fun jobs that I got to do for the show.

ABT’s Culinary Pas de Deux

by Stephanie Havenstein, Institutional Support Intern

What an exciting time to be an intern!  Preparations for ABT’s Spring Season at the Metropolitan Opera House are in full swing with interns assisting on a multitude of projects in both the education and development departments.  Our most recent adventure took place last week on March 12th at the Culinary Pas de Deux.  One of the largest and most exciting events of the season, this year’s celebration (nicknamed “Cul Pas”) did not disappoint.  World-class chefs and mixologists from around New York City prepared some of their most appetizing dishes and drinks, and ABT dancers Marcelo Gomes, Misty Copeland, and Craig Salstein were excellent hosts alternating marvelous dancing with hilarious skits.  As interns, we were able to play an integral part in the set-up and running of the event, giving us a very special experience.

My personal appointment for the evening was helping to run the Auction Table.  With two auctions happening over the course of the affair (one silent and the other live), organization and timing were crucial to each of their success.  With a team of four, headed up by Special Events Assistant Maria Alzuru, we circulated around the room and near the registration table promoting the special experiences on the auction block and collecting important information from the bidders.  When my important duties had concluded, I was free to wander around, tasting food from each of the booths, taking silly pictures in front of the ABT photo backdrop, and
shaking it on the dance floor with my fellow ABT cohorts.  The combination of work and fun throughout the course of the night really allowed such a depth of experience for each of us interns, and equally as important, is a great reflection of the work environment and special “family” here at ABT.

Institutional Support Intern Stephanie Havenstein, ABT Soloist Craig Salstein, Institutional Support Associate Claire Stephanic

ABT’s Make a Ballet Program

by Elizabth Kawalek, Education Intern

During my time as an ABT Intern I was able to accompany the Director of Educational Outreach, Dennis Walters, on his weekly trip to P.S 20 for ABT’s Make A Ballet program.  Throughout the semester I have been working on the syllabus for the program, themed “Colonial Legends”.

How do ballet and colonial legends relate you may ask?  Well, the 5th graders at P.S 20 will happily tell you.  Over the past five weeks they have been learning about American legends, such as Paul Revere (including a trip to Fraunces Tavern in downtown NYC where he is believed to have stayed), and creating their own legends and stories from that time period.  These stories will soon be translated into ballets, but not without a lot of hard work first. Not only are the students learning significant amounts of American History – something near and dear to my heart as a History major- they are also learning how to construct cohesive and creative stories in groups. 

On my first Monday, I walked into a room full of 5th graders with a lot of energy and opinions.  Their main task of the day was to identify the different elements of their stories (setting, characters, conflict, climax, and resolution) and sum them up into one sentence – an assignment that could be difficult for any age when working in a group of five.  As they began to work, I went up to different tables and asked them what their story was about.  Though they needed some organizational help, I was amazed at how creative and complex the stories were.  With some groups, I helped them figure out the exact plot of their story and identify the climax.  Others needed help to describe the story efficiently.  At a time when it seems much less emphasis is placed on how to write and communicate, this one hour lesson taught them so much.  Their enthusiasm for the project was so encouraging! 

After they worked on their stories, we discussed tableaus (living statues).  The kids were so excited to be able to get up and act out a scene, whether it was the start of a race or playing a game of checkers.  Some kids were great, and others had a tough time being creative in front of the class – another reason why the exercise proved so important for the students. 

For the next several weeks Dennis and I worked with the kids and their teachers to develop the stories and presentations.  I helped create worksheets and note cards to assist the children in organizing their thoughts.   So much work and time (I even needed my rusty Spanish skills) to prepare for the presentations for the 4^th grade classes.

On the day of the presentations, I walked the kids into the hall before they went up and helped them prepare.  The excitement and nerves were adorable, and it was obvious they had been working very hard (despite when I asked the group if they had practiced I received a resounding “I don’t know).  After these presentations, they will work on transforming their stories into a ballet and have a performance in February.  I cant wait to see how they turn out!

Seeing the program develop was incredibly rewarding.  I was able to be an integral part of the children learning skills and knowledge they will use their entire lives.

Reception for Beverly D’Anne

by Whitney Janis

One aspect of being an ABT intern is helping to organize and set up events at the ABT studios. On October 3, 2011, American Ballet Theatre hosted a reception (with New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Joyce Theater and Dance/NYC) for Beverly D’Anne to celebrate her work as now-former Senior Program Officer for Dance at New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). Dance luminaries such as Elisa Monte and Sylvia Waters were in attendance, while ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie and AAADT Artistic Director Robert Battle spoke warmly about Ms. D’Anne and her incredible contributions to the New York dance community over the years.

The reception was held in one of ABT’s rehearsal studios. Set-up required high tables, chairs and a last-minute run to Party City for flameless candles. It was a wonderful way to honor Ms. D’Anne and everything she has done for the greater New York dance world. We all wish her incredible success in her future endeavors!

Photo by Samantha Siegel

You can check out an album of photos from the event here.

Planning for the Cul Pas 2012

by Kate Offerdahl

One of ABT’s favorite events of the year is the Culinary Pas de Deux, a glamorous night of dancing, dining, and fun. Guests gather together with ABT Company members to enjoy tastings from top NYC restaurants, sip wine pairings and specialty cocktails, and dance the night away! The next “Cul Pas” is taking place on Monday March 12th, 2012, but the Special Events Department has been hard at work planning for this event for months.

As interns, Katie Kantor and I have gotten a first-hand look at all of the steps to organizing an event as big as this one. We’ve been in contact with restaurants, chefs, and bartenders; reached out to local businesses for gift bag donations; helped guests purchase tickets and get information; and worked with ABT dancers (Marcelo Gomes and Craig Salstein) to promote the event. The Saturday afternoon we spent with Marcelo and Craig was one of the most hilarious of the semester! After incidents with cue cards, desk lamps, cupcakes, and a dog… we finally produced a promotional video for the event (check it out below!). I think I will always have the line “Don’t forget your dancing shoes!” stuck in my head. J

Though the Cul Pas will be taking place in March after the internship semester is completed, I know that our hard work will produce a wonderful event. Hopefully, ABT will let Katie and I return for the night to help out and “dance the night away” with our new company friends. Don’t miss this amazing night! 

http://www.abt.org/contactus/enews/CulPas.asp

Nutcracker: Opening Night Celebration

By Katie Kantor, Special Events Intern

Last week, many of the Interns had the opportunity to help at the Opening Night Celebration of ABT’S second season of The Nutcracker at BAM. As guests arrived in their festive outfits, they got to take fun holiday photos with a life-size poster of a toy soldier in the lobby. Everyone was excited; I overheard a lot of audience members saying they had enjoyed the production so much last year and they were really looking forward to seeing it again tonight. After all the tickets were handed out and the performance was about to begin, the Interns and lot of the ABT staff rushed to crowd around a TV in the lounge to catch a glimpse of the opening scenes. I won’t spoil it for anyone, but it involves an incredibly adorable mouse who will undoubtedly make you smile!

After the performance, the Opening Night Celebration honored Franco DeVita, Principal of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at ABT. After a few speeches highlighting Franco’s dedication to training dancers as well as dance teachers around the country, guests mingled while enjoying some sweet treats (the chocolate profiteroles were amazing!!). They also got to take pictures with Clara, a snowflake, a soldier, and that adorable little mouse. Eventually, we kicked off our shoes and enjoyed some dancing with ABT staff, guests, and ABT Company members. It was a really fun evening, and it was a great way for some of us Interns to celebrate our final event of the semester.

Thanks to all at ABT for making this internship such a great experience!

ABT Interns celebrate opening night of The Nutcracker

The End Result

by Elizabeth Stein, Creative Intern

Here is the final logo design! After two months work of nearly 250 logo variations, my supervisor and I have made a collaborative decision. We have a winner now!

I hope that my efforts and contribution to American Ballet”s BNA Program has been valuable, helpful, and insightful for future design interns to come! If interested, you may visit my work online at http:// www.erosedesigns.portfoliobox.net/ I will be updating my site with new work from my fall semester at Pratt after finals!

Thank you, American Ballet Theatre!