A Dancer's Life

March's Gypsy of the Month

2010-03-07T16:45:00.005-05:00

For the month of March, Broadway World names "yours truly" as Gypsy of the Month! During the two-hour interview we discussed my current gig with Cirque du Soleil and the path that guided my way.-AJ;)

Manhattan Youth Ballet Auditions!

2010-03-03T10:46:00.001-05:00

AUDITION NOTICEMYB SUMMER INTENSIVE 2010Featured in Dance MagazineClick here to read the article SUNDAY, MARCH 7atmanhattanmovement&artscenterAges 8-12, 13 & upCall 212.787.1178 for detailswww.manhattanyouthballet.org Manhattan Movement & Arts Centerhome of the Manhattan Youth Ballet248 West 60th St.New York, New York 10023212-787-1178www.manhattanmovement.comwww.manhattanyouthballet.org

Pilobolus Auditions in New York City

2010-03-01T11:00:00.004-05:00

Pilobolus Dance TheatreNew York CityWomen: Wednesday March 31Men: Thursday April 1BY APPOINTMENT ONLYE-MAIL: AUDITIONS@PILOBOLUS.ORGCall Kris 860-868-0538 x 16 (M-F, 9 - 5, EST)Call Backs: April 1 & 2 in NYC, April 3 in ConnecticutAge: 21 +General call for paid contract and full time work - Non Union -Non US citizens must have Green CardTo schedule an audition appointment e-mail: AUDITIONS@

Is Even the Sky the Limit for Larry Keigwin?

2009-06-26T21:27:00.003-04:00

Today, I will be talking about Larry Keigwin's dance company, Keigwin + Company, which performs this week at The Joyce Theater. But, first, I would like to talk about my first experience seeing Larry Keigwin's work, which happened not too long ago at the Juilliard Ensemble show this past December. Larry set a piece on the graduating class, Runaway, which totally blew my mind with its daring,

I Heart Ray Bolger!

2009-06-26T14:57:00.000-04:00

Botanica Does Mother Nature Justice

2009-05-17T15:22:00.017-04:00

As I walk away from The Joyce Theater thinking about the spectacle I have just witnessed, I have an epiphany: "Moses Pendleton is the kind of beacon that throws a heavy blanket of inspiration over dancers and non-dancers alike, bringing the world together with his art." As my boyfriend walks out of the theaterwith me, he immediately tweets "Momix is amazing - go see their show!". This

Dancers-You Can Fly!

2009-05-12T19:49:00.013-04:00

Fly-By-Night Dance Theater presents NYC Aerial Dance Festival 2009at the JCC in Manhattan, and the title of the show not only does not lie, but brings a truth to the convergence of aerial art and dance art that is totally groundbreaking. The Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Auditorium (AKA the JCC in Manhattan) is a tiny black box with high ceilings (one reason this venue has been chosen for the show)

False Eyelashes-The Whens, Wheres, Whys and Hows

2009-04-30T18:19:00.027-04:00

I once had a prestigious choreographer/director, Kelli Barclay, tell me that, when at an audition, one should always "just hint" at what you would look like in the staged show that you are auditioning for. For example, if auditioning for 42nd Street, wear just a light colored red lipstick, tiny false eyelashes and a cute 1930s tap outfit. If someone walks into Chelsea Studios wearing a full

The Juniors Rock at the Youth America Grand Prix!

2009-04-24T15:31:00.007-04:00

As I walk out the front door of the New York City Center, there is a buzz in the air. If you listen closely, the buzz turns into a name repeated over and over again: Esteban Hernandez. By far, the junior men's division at this year’s Youth America Grand Prix is the most exciting, as cabrioles continue to fly higher and pirouettes increase in number and suspension. But even with all of the

The Deganit Shemy Supernova

2009-04-18T11:38:00.018-04:00

This evening at Dance Theatre Workshop something very special is taking place. Deganit Shemy's Arena, a full evening length work, gives the audience the chance to witness a supernova of the choreographer's fierce creativity and the dancers' acute aggression. In addition to being established as a multi-award winning choreographer, this New York and Israeli based choreographer also has the

The Aspiration of Freedom-A Review of Nederlands Dans Theater II

2009-04-11T17:56:00.009-04:00

* * *Nederlands Dans Theater II is a breath of fresh air because of the choreographic originality combined with the lack of fear exuded by each performer who graces the stage. It is interesting that one of the aspects of the company that I like so much is "lack of fear" because many of the pieces this evening tends to nudge the audience's brain into that weird place

See the Show Before Going to the Audition

2009-04-06T19:23:00.006-04:00

[Dance Audition Tip # 1]If you are going in for an audition for, lets say, A Chorus Line, it is a good idea to go and see the show to know what parts you may be considered for, or more importantly, what parts you will be understudying. Right now, in A Chorus Line national tour, all of the girls in the ensemble (or the "cut dancers" because after they get cut at the top of the show, they stay

The Artists Showcase presented by :pushing progress

2009-04-03T21:42:00.002-04:00

Manhattan Movement and Arts Center is quickly becoming the new home of edgy, up and coming as well as established companies with large followings. This was clearly demonstrated by the line that wound around the block on 60th street that was made up of people who wanted to see the show. Many people were turned away because of the quick sell out of this show. In fact, an announcement was made at

Intricate Time Passage of Tap

2009-03-08T11:03:00.006-04:00

Savion Glover has a reputation for defying laws of gravity in order to achieve the most dynamic sounds and fastest speeds possible with his tap shoes. His effortless mastery of executing lightening speed sounds justifies the lingering question, " Is he superhuman?" But, the true lesson that Solo in Time teaches is that Savion Glover is a chill, down to earth guy having fun with his friends,

Ron Brown's Work is Evidence of Brilliance

2009-02-17T11:56:00.004-05:00

EVIDENCE-A Dance CompanyThe Joyce TheaterFebruary 12, 2009Ron Brown's Program B is a brilliance sandwich. All three parts are made up of the stuff of brilliance, but the real meat of it is in the middle (appropriately so). That meat is called Walking Out the Dark I, and it is the kind that is fully seasoned and tenderized. The surrounding pieces (the bread) are not nearly as excitingly

Past/Forward: A Tisch Dance Alumni Celebration

2009-02-03T22:42:00.003-05:00

As Cherylyn Lavagnino, the chairperson of the NYU Dance Department, introduces the evening's program, she explains how much of an honor it is to have these dancers/choreographers back at the university to display their work. She explains to the audience that this is a celebration of accomplished alumni that the entire department is looking to make an annual event. I don't realize until the

Elisa Monte and Her Dancers Create Stellar Work

2009-02-02T19:26:00.002-05:00

Born in 1981, Elisa Monte Dance has a history of thought provoking work executed by technically and emotionally outstanding dancers, a reputation that is not left at the door on this evening's showcase of four works, one of which is a world premiere.Slope of Enlightenment is an introduction that not only emphasizes the Elisa Monte dancers' athletically elegant stage presence, but also Elisa's

The Effortless Mastery of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson

2009-02-02T11:17:00.001-05:00

Parsons Dance Company

2009-01-22T10:42:00.003-05:00

World Premiere Parsons dance/EVOC Collaboration Title TBAAs soon as the first dancer comes out on stage accompanied by not only rocking music but also stellar multimedia effects, I am locked in with my seat belt prepared for the ride that I think I am about to be taken on at full speed. But, I'm wrong.The first section of this hour and fifteen minute ballet without intermission is full of

New Dances/Edition 2008

2008-12-16T01:09:00.007-05:00

Peter Jay Sharp TheaterJuilliardRefrain for a Broken ChorusClass of 2012Choreographer Sidra Bell, her father, composer Dennis Bell, the live music by the Juilliard Jazz Ensemble and the first year students combine forces to create ripples that turn into tidal waves of androgynous red and black satin and smooth as silk movement. This piece takes an intense look at refrains, deep breaths and "

There is Passion in Playground

2008-12-08T21:07:00.006-05:00

There once was a man who viewed the world and the people in it as dark, closed off and unforgiving. This man could see no reason to live based on his own loneliness and inner demons. He sees his own demons projected on the people that populate his cold, dark world. Inner-angst, depression and self-doubt revolve around and around in a maddening circle in this man's brain. A man with a gun. A gun

So Heavenly in Beverly

2008-11-20T16:26:00.005-05:00

North Shore Music Theatre, a widely respected regional theatre on the northern shore of Massachusetts, has become a big part of me, and that couldn't make me happier. I had never heard of this place growing up, even though I lived only an hour away in a little log cabin in Middleboro for 18 years of my life. Now, I am a big part of this little community as I perform for locals and tourists and

A Drop in the Bucket

2008-10-05T02:04:00.002-04:00

I am descending the stairs after stepping off at the Dyckman Station upon my return to New York, and I feel a shooting pain in my stomach that is as jolting and as quick as a lightning bolt traveling all the way to my brain, and it sparks an image: a little boy who plays the cello in the Youth Symphony in El Salvador. He tells me that he practices six hours a day, seven days a week, and he loves

The Copier

2008-08-14T15:50:00.003-04:00

Last time I sat through a Cedar Lake performance, as I stood up when the performance was finished, I realized that I was stunned. I was overwhelmed by the fire that existed in every dancer. I saw this fire as a representative for the most extreme emotions a human can feel; burning passion, corrosive curiosity, clinical depression, euphoric happiness. Not only did I see that fire in each dancer,

Patti Wilcox's Hour and Half of Brilliance

2008-06-29T23:23:00.004-04:00

A teacher who can truly shapeshift an eager student is one that will continue to shapeshift themselves. Up up up up-this is the only place to go when constantly feeding off of each other. What a great reciprocation. I can only hope to be this kind of admirable icon one day who constantly gives back to the hungry student dancer, the teacher being the hungriest and the most well fed.The first time