Well, the word is officially out. Haglund has been keeping this under his hat for weeks.
As reported this evening in the Philadelphia Inquirer, one of ABT's most promising corpsmen, Sterling Baca, will be joining the Pennsylvania Ballet as a Principal Dancer. Such a great opportunity for him, so deserved, and boy, what a find by Angel Corella. Sterling's one-and-only, Nayara Lopes, currently dancing with Dance Theatre of Harlem will join PAB's corps de ballet.
Internal promotions to principal include the dazzling trio of Lillian DiPiazza, Oksana Maslova, and Mayara Piñeiro.
According to the article, 40% of the dancers will not return for the new season either as the result of retirement or non-renewal of contract. They have been speaking to the press about the difficulty adjusting to the regime change and their unhappiness with it. That's too bad, because when the company was here recently and during Haglund's excursions down to Philly this year, it was apparent that a few of the principals were not competing favorably with a number of very talented soloists and corps members. The reality of the late career dancer can be cruel, but so can the reality of the aging corporate salesman who gets axed because he's no longer able to relate to the much younger customer base and resists continually blabbing like a narcissistic fool on social media. It's that kind of world.
26 responses to “Pennsylvania Ballet big changes”
I saw the show at the Joyce and agree that there was some dead weight on the roster but this was pretty brutal. I hope Corella hasn’t miscalculated and done the company lasting harm by cutting so deeply because this will leave some bitter feelings. On the other hand, some of those youngsters are really good and were being held back by the aforementioned dead weight. Bottom line is that, artistic considerations aside, ballet is an entertainment product that is competing for discretionary dollars and it has to be the best it can be… and it wasn’t.
I saw the show at the Joyce and agree that there was some dead weight on the roster but this was pretty brutal. I hope Corella hasn’t miscalculated and done the company lasting harm by cutting so deeply because this will leave some bitter feelings. On the other hand, some of those youngsters are really good and were being held back by the aforementioned dead weight. Bottom line is that, artistic considerations aside, ballet is an entertainment product that is competing for discretionary dollars and it has to be the best it can be… and it wasn’t.
This is good news. I thought Bacca looked great in that small clip dancing with Stella Abrera in Swan Lake.
I was hoping that Sarah Lane would be invited to join PAB, especially since she has danced with Corella in the past.
The Noyes invitation is interesting. But if Corella is looking to poach anyone from DTH, it should have been Ingrid Silva. She is a beautiful dancer.
This is good news. I thought Bacca looked great in that small clip dancing with Stella Abrera in Swan Lake.
I was hoping that Sarah Lane would be invited to join PAB, especially since she has danced with Corella in the past.
The Noyes invitation is interesting. But if Corella is looking to poach anyone from DTH, it should have been Ingrid Silva. She is a beautiful dancer.
Totally agree, AB-D.
When he signed on, Corella agreed to no cuts of the dancers until now, per the AGMA rule. He immediately re-arranged his staff as he wanted but had to wait on replacing dancers. This gave the dancers almost two years to acquire the style, characteristics, and work ethic that everyone in ballet already knew were Corella’s preferences. Corella had more than enough time to make thorough evaluations. I can’t wait to see his Le Corsaire next season.
Totally agree, AB-D.
When he signed on, Corella agreed to no cuts of the dancers until now, per the AGMA rule. He immediately re-arranged his staff as he wanted but had to wait on replacing dancers. This gave the dancers almost two years to acquire the style, characteristics, and work ethic that everyone in ballet already knew were Corella’s preferences. Corella had more than enough time to make thorough evaluations. I can’t wait to see his Le Corsaire next season.
I am sad about anyone losing a job, so I do wish those 40% who will have to now find work all the best! I wish Baca and Lopes the best, and hope to see them perform with the new company back here! However, this leads me to wonder what ABT is thinking!!? This is a clear case of not giving opportunities to those who have potential, and losing them to others. I hope that Lane is going to stay for selfish reasons, she is too good to be side lined a promotion, but again, I don’t really know what is going on in the heads of board or AD, or what they are thinking with this latest move! 🙁
I am sad about anyone losing a job, so I do wish those 40% who will have to now find work all the best! I wish Baca and Lopes the best, and hope to see them perform with the new company back here! However, this leads me to wonder what ABT is thinking!!? This is a clear case of not giving opportunities to those who have potential, and losing them to others. I hope that Lane is going to stay for selfish reasons, she is too good to be side lined a promotion, but again, I don’t really know what is going on in the heads of board or AD, or what they are thinking with this latest move! 🙁
Now if we can only see a new AD and similar changes at ABT.
Now if we can only see a new AD and similar changes at ABT.
It occurs to me that the ABT corps de ballet has become a finishing school of sorts. It prepares dancers for soloist or principal status at other companies; or it finishes your career altogether.
It occurs to me that the ABT corps de ballet has become a finishing school of sorts. It prepares dancers for soloist or principal status at other companies; or it finishes your career altogether.
Angelica, that was a bouquet of lightning bolts.
Angelica, that was a bouquet of lightning bolts.
Wow! Couldn’t agree with Angelica more! The bolts woke me up! Well put indeed!
Wow! Couldn’t agree with Angelica more! The bolts woke me up! Well put indeed!
PA Ballet was not meant to be a satellite ABT, but a satellite Balanchine Company. I think it’s offensive to Barbara, and those who have come after her to so blatantly change the direction of the company so drastically. No one would expect someone to change Houston to being more Balanchine leaning, so why is it okay to change PA Ballet to a more classical esthetic. I understand changing the mood, and setting a tone, but I don’t agree with not honoring years of tradition.
PA Ballet was not meant to be a satellite ABT, but a satellite Balanchine Company. I think it’s offensive to Barbara, and those who have come after her to so blatantly change the direction of the company so drastically. No one would expect someone to change Houston to being more Balanchine leaning, so why is it okay to change PA Ballet to a more classical esthetic. I understand changing the mood, and setting a tone, but I don’t agree with not honoring years of tradition.
Hi Saddened Ballet Lover. Hang in there.
Corella would never have brought Kyra Nichols and Chuck Askegard on board if he didn’t intend to keep the company’s Balanchine at high strength levels. He has voiced a clear commitment to the Balanchine works.
The effort to broaden PA Ballet’s rep was in the works before Corella was hired. If you look at the 2013-14 season (the year prior to his hire), there was (in addition to a brand new Jewels) a Petipa-based Coppelia, works by Margo Sappington, Jiri Kylian, John Butler, Trey McIntyre, Robert Weiss, Christopher d’Amboise, Forsythe, and Neenan. Next season Corella has Balanchine work on all but one mixed rep program in addition to the Nutcracker.
PA Ballet has tried other traditional classical works. Many years ago, they presented Giselle which was way out of their bailiwick. If Corella decides to bring that back, you can bet it will be a high quality production.
Hang in there, SBL.
Hi Saddened Ballet Lover. Hang in there.
Corella would never have brought Kyra Nichols and Chuck Askegard on board if he didn’t intend to keep the company’s Balanchine at high strength levels. He has voiced a clear commitment to the Balanchine works.
The effort to broaden PA Ballet’s rep was in the works before Corella was hired. If you look at the 2013-14 season (the year prior to his hire), there was (in addition to a brand new Jewels) a Petipa-based Coppelia, works by Margo Sappington, Jiri Kylian, John Butler, Trey McIntyre, Robert Weiss, Christopher d’Amboise, Forsythe, and Neenan. Next season Corella has Balanchine work on all but one mixed rep program in addition to the Nutcracker.
PA Ballet has tried other traditional classical works. Many years ago, they presented Giselle which was way out of their bailiwick. If Corella decides to bring that back, you can bet it will be a high quality production.
Hang in there, SBL.
According to this article it doesn’t sound like Corella is trying to change it to a satellite ABT, it sounds more like he’s looking to grow a company with happier dancers? Must be hard for any new director to enter a company with this history? Just my take but I can be wrong: <“>http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/27/arts/dance/angel-corella-of-pennsylvania-ballet-upends-troupe-reflecting-new-vision.html?_r=0>
According to this article it doesn’t sound like Corella is trying to change it to a satellite ABT, it sounds more like he’s looking to grow a company with happier dancers? Must be hard for any new director to enter a company with this history? Just my take but I can be wrong: <“>http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/27/arts/dance/angel-corella-of-pennsylvania-ballet-upends-troupe-reflecting-new-vision.html?_r=0>
Thanks for the link, HF.
Thanks for the link, HF.
Companies have to move with the changing times. PA Ballet was in stagnation for awhile and some of those long-standing principals were getting by on their tenure, not their dancing. I think every once in a while it’s nice to clean house and start anew with fresh promotions and hirings. Lord knows ABT has required it for years now.
Companies have to move with the changing times. PA Ballet was in stagnation for awhile and some of those long-standing principals were getting by on their tenure, not their dancing. I think every once in a while it’s nice to clean house and start anew with fresh promotions and hirings. Lord knows ABT has required it for years now.