Today on Conversations on Dance, we welcome Theresa Ruth Howard, founder of Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet, and Katlyn Addison, principal dancer with Ballet West. We first had Katlyn on the podcast in February of 2024 in episode 383, where we talk all about her career. We are happy to welcome Katlyn back on to talk about the upcoming "Pathways to Performance: Exercises in Reframing the Narrative" performance at the Kennedy Center. Theresa was the guest curator of "Reframing the Narrative" at the Kennedy Center for it's inaugural season in 2022 and Theresa is returning again this year with her hand-picked group of dancers coming together from all across the country to feature a newly commissioned ballet and excerpts of recently premiered works by Black choreographers. Katlyn was selected by Theresa in 2022 to be a part of this project and is returning again this year. The pair tell us about "Pathways to Performance: Exercises in Reframing the Narrative," how the project came about, what was so special about the experience in 2022, and how they will be expanding upon the work now in 2024. Don't miss "Pathways to Performance: Exercises in Reframing the Narrative" July 2 and 3 at the Kennedy Center. Tickets are available at kennedy-center.org.

WATCH:

Reframing the Narrative: Blacks in Ballet | A Kennedy Center Digital Stage Original (2022 documentary)

Donald Byrd's "From Other Suns" | A World Premiere Ballet from The Kennedy Center

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Today we are joined by Dwight Rhoden, Choreographer & Artistic Director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Since it has been over six years since we last had him on the podcast, we go back to the beginning and hear about his start in dance and choreography. We dig into his process and what he looks for in dancers, both for Complexions and when he is choreographing on other companies. Dwight tells us about his new work for Houston Ballet that is running from June 6-16 as a part of a mixed bill program called, "Four Seasons." This is Dwight's first work on the company so he tells us what it has been like working with the dancers, how the work evolved from his initial vision, and what he hopes audience's take away from his work. For more information and to get tickets, visit houstonballet.org.

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Today on Conversations on Dance we are joined by Maria Kowroski, former Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet and current Artistic Director of New Jersey Ballet. Maria chats with us about her training, her incredible career, some of her favorite memories onstage, then the opportunity to become Artistic Director of New Jersey Ballet. She tells us about her focuses for the company, the challenges she has faced, and how she is forging a new path for the company. Learn more about New Jersey Ballet and their upcoming 65th anniversary on their website njballet.org.

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Michael is currently at the Dutch National Ballet setting Alexei Ratmansky's 'Fairy's Kiss.' This inspired us to go back into our vault and find this 2017 episode with dance historian, Doug Fullington, on the history of the ballet, also known as 'Baiser de la fée.' Ratmansky's 'Fairy's Kiss' was originally made on Miami City Ballet while we were in the company, and during the time this was recorded. We hope you enjoy!

WATCH -> Doug's presentation at Works and Process at the Guggenheim in Feb 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-aX7sYMKQA&t=4s

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Today on the 'Conversations on Dance' podcast, we are joined by Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director of the Joffrey Ballet. Ashley takes us through his career, tells us about the important roles mentors played in his dancing, how he came to the helm of the Joffrey, and what audiences can expect to see from the company this summer at the Ballet Sun Valley festival. Ballet Sun Valley presents The Joffrey Ballet in two different programs, over two nights this June 29th and 30th. Tickets are on sale now. For more information visit balletsunvalley.org.

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Today we are so pleased to bring you our interview with George Lee, the original 'Tea' dancer in George Balanchine's 'The Nutcracker.' Also joining us for the second time, is documentary filmmaker Jennifer Lin. Jennifer's latest film 'Ten Times Better' explores the life and legacy of George. Jennifer talked to us about this film in episode 382, before it's premiere. Today, George tells us about his story and the pair talk about how they came to connect and what filming the documentary was like. We hear about the response to the film and what it has meant to George to know so many people are touched by his story.

For information about upcoming screenings or to get in touch with Jennifer, visit tentimesbetterfilm.com.

Episode 382 with Jennifer Lin: Listen here.

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Today on the Conversations on Dance podcast, we are joined once again by Susan Jaffe, Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre. We last had Susan on the podcast in late 2022 in episode 309 as she was about to take the helm of the company. This week we get the opportunity to hear from Susan about what her first year has been like, some of the challenges she has faced, and we get a preview of what is next for the company. For more information about upcoming performances of American Ballet Theatre, visit, abt.org.

Listen to episode 309.

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Today on Conversations on Dance, we welcome back Phil Chan, author and co-founder of 'Final Bow for Yellowface.' Back in May of 2023 in episode 339, we had Phil on the podcast with Doug Fullington and Sarah Wroth to tell us about how the idea for 'Star on the rise : La Bayadère ... reimagined!' came about, and what made Indiana University a great place to mount this production. Now, following the premiere, Phil joins us again to tell us about the finished product and what the reactions have been.

We are thrilled to share that 'Star on the rise' is now streaming on IU's website. Click here to watch now for free: https://media.dlib.indiana.edu/media_objects/gb19g015j/section/1g05g3541

Episode 339 with Phil, Doug, and Sarah: https://www.conversationsondancepod.com/episodes-transcripts/339-la-bayadere

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