Look, we have to keep this a secret ecretsay.
One of our favorite Haglund'eelers who lives in a far off place passed us a link to the first episode of the new season which he captured and stashed away. The series is currently location restricted to New Zealand. If you want to watch it, just shoot an email to Haglund and he'll send you the link, but it's not for posting on other blogs like Ballet Alert or Huffington Post or on Twitter or FB.
The first episode shows the Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Ethan Stiefel, in a range of hairstyles – from Alexander Godunov-inspired straight tresses to Farrah Fawcett sweptback foofoo – as he prepares to audition dancers for the upcoming season and finally makes his choices. It seems that this week (in real time here in NYC) he's sporting a new-recruit buzz. Who can keep up with it?
There are only hints of what the new plot lines will be during the season. Mostly, this episode was a refresher of what the series is about – like, ya know, who needs that? Right off the bat we were told that since the last episode of last season, Sergio has left town. For those up for the chase, he's at the Royal Ballet of Flanders these days where one of Haglund's all-time favorite ABT Tharp Bombers, Laura Hildago, also resides.
At the end of the audition, AD Stiefel selected a lovely female dancer – who is 5'10" tall – because she had the dancer qualities, intelligence, and artistic maturity that he was looking for. Obviously, this AD doesn't have a perverted preference for women dancers who have "that child-woman" quality that Kevin McKenzie admitted he wants. By the way, on Friday night while McKenzie's weakest principal ballerina was struggling through Swan Lake at the Met, McKenzie was sitting over in the Koch Theater watching the Boston Ballet perform. Ya think maybe it's time for a change?
Next week, the TV drama will swirl around the company's preparations for its tour to China. Hopefully, we'll have access to that episode, too.
20 responses to “Ecretsay Iveslay ofyay Ancersday Easonsay Eethray”
Haglund, I’m curious: where/when did McKenzie make his comment about the “child-woman” quality?
Haglund, I’m curious: where/when did McKenzie make his comment about the “child-woman” quality?
Hi, Nanushka.
He said it back in 2012 when he was giving a flurry of interviews and making a video in connection with his 20th anniversary. He not only said that he looks for women dancers with a “child-woman quality” but referenced his management of ABT dancers as being like raising children in a family. Heard it with my own ears.
Hi, Nanushka.
He said it back in 2012 when he was giving a flurry of interviews and making a video in connection with his 20th anniversary. He not only said that he looks for women dancers with a “child-woman quality” but referenced his management of ABT dancers as being like raising children in a family. Heard it with my own ears.
Nanushka – one of McKenzie’s child-woman comments was also made in reference to Hee Seo in Dance Magazine May 2013.
Nanushka – one of McKenzie’s child-woman comments was also made in reference to Hee Seo in Dance Magazine May 2013.
Dear Haglund,
You have a big fan in Europe. I live in Holland and am a dedicated follower of your blog. Needless to say I am also a huge ballet lover.
Ethan Stiefel has always been one of my favourites (I even came over to NY for his farewell performance 2 years ago) so I would love to receive the link you mention. That would really make my day!
Kind regards,
Martine
Dear Haglund,
You have a big fan in Europe. I live in Holland and am a dedicated follower of your blog. Needless to say I am also a huge ballet lover.
Ethan Stiefel has always been one of my favourites (I even came over to NY for his farewell performance 2 years ago) so I would love to receive the link you mention. That would really make my day!
Kind regards,
Martine
Hi, Martine.
Thanks much for stopping by H.H.
I just sent the link to your email address.
As you know, we here on the blog are fans of Ethan, too. We are hoping that he is the next AD at ABT, and that the change will occur much sooner than later.
Hi, Martine.
Thanks much for stopping by H.H.
I just sent the link to your email address.
As you know, we here on the blog are fans of Ethan, too. We are hoping that he is the next AD at ABT, and that the change will occur much sooner than later.
Thanks, Haglund. Very interesting to see it in context. For one thing, it doesn’t even seem to make sense: “a very unique feminine strength about her — it’s that woman/child quality.” That’s what McKenzie thinks of feminine strength? Bizarre.
Thanks, Haglund. Very interesting to see it in context. For one thing, it doesn’t even seem to make sense: “a very unique feminine strength about her — it’s that woman/child quality.” That’s what McKenzie thinks of feminine strength? Bizarre.
Hi Haglund! If you could please send me the link too, I would be forever grateful! Thank you so so so much! I became obsessed with this series thanks to this blog and have been going through withdrawal….:)
Also, as you may already know, ABT promotions have been announced.
Hi Haglund! If you could please send me the link too, I would be forever grateful! Thank you so so so much! I became obsessed with this series thanks to this blog and have been going through withdrawal….:)
Also, as you may already know, ABT promotions have been announced.
I just emailed the link to you, Lizby.
I just emailed the link to you, Lizby.
Hi Haglund,
I would love to be sent the link to the new series– have been eagerly anticipating it and following RNZB on Facebook. Wish I could have seen them at the Joyce this past Winter.
Thanks!
Hi Haglund,
I would love to be sent the link to the new series– have been eagerly anticipating it and following RNZB on Facebook. Wish I could have seen them at the Joyce this past Winter.
Thanks!
Just emailed it to you, Judy.
Just emailed it to you, Judy.