ABT & Project Plié

I have to pinch myself every time I approach 890 Broadway, as when I walk in, I’m a proud intern of one of the greatest ballet companies in the world. I’ve been fortunate to have been chosen to work the with amazing JKO School’s National Training Curriculum Department, headed by Molly Schnyder.  This is an important year for the school because they are introducing a new initiative called Project Plié.  What American Ballet Theatre wants to do is increase the racial and ethnic representation in ballet and diversify America’s ballet companies.  I think this is an amazing endeavor to take on and I’m very happy to see ABT taking the lead on this.

I was able to be a part of this by working with Jenna Bitterman and Meghan Love to send information to over one thousand ABT Certified teachers across the country to nominate teachers of color to receive scholarships for the National Training Curriculum seminars that are held throughout the year.  The passion Molly, Jenna, and Meghan exhibit is not only inspiring but also refreshing to see people who care so much about their organization and want only the best for its future.

A Night to Remember

I was invited to attend the Project Plié’s Pre-Performance reception which was held during ABT’s fall season at the Koch Theater.  Besides the delicious appetizers and drinks, there were amazing speakers such as Valentino Carlotti, and ABT Trustee, Rachel Moore, ABT’s CEO, Kevin McKenzie, ABT’s Artistic Director and Susan Fales-Hill, a die-hard ABT supporter and fan whose mother’s legacy has been honored by the creation of the Josephine Premice Fales Award.  The award acknowledges one promising young dancer of color with a full scholarship to ABT’s JKO School and a cash stipend for living expenses.  How amazing is that?

I had a wonderful time meeting other board members who wholeheartedly support not only ABT, but also the JKO School.  There were a few celebrities including Star Jones and Wynton Marsalis.  To top it off, I was able to watch an amazing performance by the company featuring Misty Copeland in two of the three ballets of the night.  That night, I ate well, met some incredibly inspiring people, watched the greatest American ballet company perform and went to bed feeling proud to be part of the making of history for American Ballet Theatre’s JKO school.

Tiffany Williams

National Training Curriculum Intern

Fall 2013