This is old news for Haglund's Heel readers who first read about it here back in July, but ABT has formally announced it's special October 12th performance which premieres four new works created by ABT dancers. Dubbed The Innovation Initiative, the program will include creations by company dancers Gemma Bond, Nicola Curry, Daniel Mantei and Craig Salstein.
The evening is primarily a benefit with dinner and reception, but a few performance-only tickets will go on sale September 26 at the Frederick P. Rose Hall where the performance will occur.
The choreography is the culmination of a four week workshop directed by Kevin McKenzie, Alexei Ratmansky and Stephen Pier. David Hallberg has been deemed the evening's Artistic Co-chair and released this statement:
"The Innovation Initiative was created with a sole purpose of nurturing the
exploration of new movement, giving choreographers a platform for experimentation,” said Hallberg. “We hope this program will set a course to discover new ideas and nurture creativity."
Hey bud, how about nurturing choreographic skill, craft and discipline? Who wants to see creativity and experimentation without a high level of basic craft and skill. (Question mark omitted intentionally. Do not raise your hands.)
Setting a lofty mission with its core being experimentation, new ideas and creativity instead of learning dance-making is a mistake. What's wrong with saying that the participants are choreographers-in-training? Neophyte choreographers. Budding choreographers. Inexperienced choreographers. Don't-yet-know-their-asses-from-a-hole-in-the-ground choreographers who are undergoing (hopefully) formal training and are producing a showcase of their classroom work. Screw the new ideas and creativity. We need people to learn the craft of making ballet dances.