Theaters are sacred places. They are the spaces where choreographers can tell their stories and share their art, where composers and musicians can present a score and deliver it with generous artistic consideration, or even where lectures, broadway shows, and plays have a chance to live on stage and impart their great art in a symbiotic relationship that dares to be rivaled to the same degree in other domains. So truly, there is a special nature that exists within those spaces. The art that happens to exist and grace these stages may be ephemeral in the sense that once the show is over and everyone has left, another show will take its place like clockwork. However, the people, ideas, and art that make their mark on these stages, as well as the impression they leave on us, live on within those walls well after we have all moved on, they add to the history, personality, and electricity that can be sensed and felt in the air of theaters everywhere. In todays episode, I sit down with Penny Saunders, resident choreographer of Grand Rapids ballet and creator of “ghost light” which will be featured in the celebration of the uncommon woman. Join us as we discuss the ideas behind “ghost light”, what you can expect to see when experiencing this ballet, and much more. Please enjoy.
In today's episode, I sit down with Choreographer Nicole Haskins to talk about her ballet "Illuminations", the role that chance encounters and snapshot moments play in our lives, and so much more. Please enjoy.
In today’s episode I sit down with Artist in Residence Rachel Richardson from ABT, one of the world's leading ballet companies. Rachel was born and raised in Eugene. We talk about her early training and her road to ABT. We discuss freedom in dance and where that comes from. We talk about class mentality and competitive dancers. I ask about her favorite ballets and what she enjoys about ABT. And finish with what it's like to be exposed to culture from around the world due to the abundances of diversity in dance. It was a joy speaking with her, enjoy the episode.
In this episode I sat down with Eugene Ballet company dancers Sarah Kosterman and Josh Downard to discuss how they have been using their time away from the company to grow closer to their art and come back to dancing life stronger than they left it. They have been working on pas de deux's from different eras of classical ballet as well as some of Artistic Director Toni Pimble’s repertoire. We get into the challenges of self-coaching, their personal discoveries, where they sourced the choreography, studying other dancers, and how having freedom to choose what they work on has invigorated their passion for dance.
The new Midtown Arts Center is truly a state of the art facility, that is made obvious by its sweeping and striking design. In this episode, we find out just how cutting edge it is. Join Alessandro for an exclusive, behind the scenes, auditory adventure from the ground up of Eugene Ballet's new home. We have never been so excited for the arts in our community. Please enjoy.
Join Principal Dancers Mark Tucker and Danielle Tolmie for a little recap of 2020 and some things to look forward to in the New Year. At the end of the segment stay tuned as some of the dancers of Eugene Ballet share their goals for 2021.
In today's episode I sit down with our Resident Choreographer Suzanne Haag and Associate Artistic Director Jennifer Martin. Both long time dancers with the company, we recount numerous Nutcracker stories and antics that have occurred over the years. We explain backstage competitions, party scene games, battle scene carnage, and much more. Enjoy.
Antonio is the Artistic Director of Instaballet. He is creative and existential by nature and has a very unique and deep way of thinking about dance. During our conversation we discuss what he enjoys most when watching a dancer, the live art industry’s forced shift to digital experiences in viewing performances, and his dance training. We also talk about what it was like to dance for Disney and how his exposure to musical theater helped improve his confidence. We finish up by reminiscing about our childhood together and how Instaballet has changed his view of what the audience experiences in a show.
Tune in as the dancers of Eugene Ballet share what they are thankful for. Have a healthy happy holiday.
This week, I sat down for an in depth conversation with nutritional therapist, Jenny Noland. Jenny is knowledgable and passionate about nutrition and wellness. I hope you all learn as much a I did and can carry some of this knowledge with you in the future. Reach out to us with any questions for Jenny about nutrition, sleep, wellness, stress, or anything you want to know more about at podcast@eugeneballet.org or through our Instagram and we will get back together to field audience questions. Also you can learn more about Jenny and her practice at https://www.jennynoland.com/
In this episode, new dancer, Abigrace Diprima and Principal Dancer Mark Tucker sit down and get to know each other. They discuss a multitude of topics from when and how she fell in love with dance, sharing the same school, how she uses her performance nerves, what attracted her to Eugene Ballet, and much more.
Mark and Alessandro sit down to process what Eugene Ballet's first ever live streamed show meant to them as individual dancers, how the contributions from "Home is Where The Art is" are helping our company walk through the doors of our new home, and much more. If you missed our fundraiser performance and would like to support The Ballet, head to eugeneballet.org/double-door-challenge/ for more information. If you missed our fundraiser performance, tickets can be found at experienceballet.org for $10. Please enjoy.
In this episode, we sit down with Mark Tucker, Danielle Tolmie, and Hayley Tavonatti to get a sense of what their process has been in the run up to our first ever live streamed event. Be sure to check out experienceballet.org and get your tickets for this exciting return to the stage!
Join Suzanne, and her dancers, Alessandro Angelini, Abigrace Diprima, Sarah Kosterman, and Ethan Boresow as they share insight from their personal perspectives on "In Place" that will be featured in our upcoming virtual fundraiser "Home Is Where the Art Is" on October the 31st at 7:30pm PDT. Experience this live production at experienceballet.org.