New York City Ballet
What Goes Into Making this Company Unique
The History
Becoming New York City Ballet
- Signature ballet was "Serenade", also their 1st work in America (Minden 2005).
- George Balanchine was artistic director for 36 years (George Balanchine 2015).
- The company was presented at New York City Center for Music and Drama (New York City Ballet Accessed 2015).
"George Balanchine defined American classicism." (Minden 2005)
"...Balanchine's Ballet has a French basis, a Russian inflection, and American aims." (Diggory 2009)
A Broadway Influence
Through New York City Ballet's journey of growth, there was a long history of Broadway included (Gold 2015). Even one of the founders brought some Broadway to the company. For example, Balanchine choreographed for "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" for Rodgers & Hart Musical (Gold 2015). Although he wasn't the only one who brought Broadway influence to the company. Jerome Robbins, who was an associate artistic director for the company, brought some Broadway style to the company. He choreographed the "West Side Story Suite", "Fancy Free" and many more (Harmon 2015). These pieces helped him go into Broadway, which then allowed him to be part of both Ballet and Broadway worlds (Harmon 2015). He was also known for using current American themes in ballets based on traditional framework of classical dance (Harmon 2015). Overall, the Broadway style rubbed into the work of this ballet company.
- Robert Fairchild(Principal dancer of company) is now on Broadway in "An American in Paris" and was Tony-nominated.
"Balanchine, who had recruited Robbins as co-head of NYCB, and Peter Martins, who holds the reins today, all allow, even welcome, elements of Broadway showmanship to dribble into their work." (Gold 2015)
Today
Famous Ballet Dancers
Citations
1.Source: "George Balanchine." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2015. Web. 19 Sept. 2015.
How it relates to the project: This source is about one of the co-founders of the company. Also how the company got started. It gives me background information, of my general topics I wanted to cover.
2. Source: "New York City Ballet - Home." NYCB. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2015.
How it relates to the project: This source was written by the organization of the ballet company.Tells me about the company throughout the years and current day. It gives me information that is current and update, what is presently going on.
3. Source: Diggory, Terence. "New York City Ballet and the New York School poets." Encyclopedia of the New York School Poets. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 19 Sept. 2015 <http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&WID=151987&SID=5&iPin=ENYSP303&SingleRecord=True>.
How it relates to the project: This source tells what makes New York City Ballet’s style of dancing that style. Also explains how nycb dancing is different from every other company’s dancing.
4. Source: Minden, Eliza Gaynor. The Ballet Companion: A Dancer's Guide to the Technique, Traditions, and Joys of Ballet. New York: Fireside Book/Simon & Schuster, 2005. Print.
How it relates to the project: This source's information is out of a book written by a well known person in the ballet world. It gave me extra information on one of the founders and the company itself. It gives me good detail about the company.
5. Source: Gold, Sylvaine. "Ballet Stars Talk Tony-nominated 'An American in Paris' and Broadway Leap." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 2015. Web. 25 Sept. 2015.
How it relates to the project: It is an article from the L.A. times. Explains how the company includes Broadway elements, that makes them unique. Gives current events involving the company and Broadway.
6. Source: Harmon, Justin. "Jerome Robbins." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2015. Web. 22 Sept. 2015.
How it relates to the project: It explains the journey of one the associate artistic directors. He played a big in the performing arts in general, but especially how he was involved with the company. Shows how he helped the company.