Working on Swan Lake tutus :

Orfeo

Ok, so there are only two more full weeks left at the Opera. I'm not gonna lie, its a lot of work, and I think we're all ready for a change of pace. The last show Im dressing is Orfeo designed my Isaac Mizrahi. He was at final dress today but I didnt get to meet him. The costumes are really cool, especially the Chorusters'. They are each a notable dead person from history like Marie Antoinette, Charlie Chaplin, Princess Diana, etc.

Here is a clip.

I dress the female dancers who are dancing hard in this Opera, as it is directed and choreographed by Mark Morris.



The last performance of Orfeo is May 14th, then I have one day off before ABT opens May 16th.

Ive been so lucky to have had such an amazing first season with The MET!

How to Succeed

Last Wednesday I found myself with an entire weekday off! I took myself straight to TKTS to get us some Broadway tickets. I arrived at 1:30 (opens at 3) so that I could be first in line and get prime seats. It worked a little too well because I ended up with front row center seats to How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Mr. Daniel Radcliffe. There was no room to be picky, but front row center is too close to see a Broadway show. I knew I was in for an evening on looking right up Harry Potters nostrils, and I was right. Still, I loved the show. Here's why;

1. Daniel Radcliffe. Im such a Harry Potter head that admittedly I was a little bit giddy about seeing him. Especially sooooo close up. Like, I could have reached out and touched him, close. He did pretty well, too. He sang everything nicely and danced well. He didnt blow me away with either skill but he was perfect for the character and his American accent held up, too.

2. The dancing. Directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford, I knew the dance numbers would be sharp, witty, and impressive. I was especially impressed by the men's ensemble who were dancing in nearly every scene, it seemed. They were fierce. Especially in the "Old Ivy" football inspired number. So good.

3. The costumes. Designed by my favorite designer d'jour, Katherine Zuber (designer of Comte Ory) She has a way of using monochromatic tones and blending them in a beautiful way. They were bright and beautiful. LOVE!

Did it move me or make me think about life? No, not really. But it was fun and light and I left tapping my toes and humming the tunes.

Dressing LOVE

Dressing the beautiful dancer Jaime Verazin as "Love" in Armida today. You can listen to the live Radio Broadcast- click here to find your station.

Then Im subbing -in on Iphigenie tonight. Hopefully I'll have time during the show to cut my fabric for Vogue 1224. I got a beautiful eggplant floral jersey 1/2 price from Paron. Hopefully the weather will warm up a bit by the time I have it done!

Totally Nutzo...

Im sad The Nutcracker is over. It is always such a pleasure dressing these lovely soloist ladies...




(L-R) Maria Riccetto (Mila Kunis's ballet double in The Black Swan), Misty Copeland (of Prince's Crimson and Clover video) and Sarah Lane (Natalie Portman's ballet double in The Black Swan)



(A snapshot from backstage during second act)

Nutz of Yore..

Speaking of my Nutcracker days of yore...

Nutcracker Sweets

Check out this treasure trove of information on ABT's new production of The Nutcracker! There are lots of behind the scenes peeks and interviews. We start tech. rehearsals next week and now I'm even more excited than I already was! I think the last Nutcracker I worked on was at NCSA in 1996 dancing as a party child. Come to think of it, a few of the ABT company members were with me there, too. Small world.

Rockettes Open Audition

Every time I go to Esprit I walk by Radio City. Do you ever wonder whats going on in there during the day?

Looking Forward...

November is slow for me as far as the Opera goes. This job is unique in the fact that you are hired for specific Operas, and the performances of those specific Operas are spread out over weeks, even months. Neither Boris nor La Boheme have performances right now. La Bo has four shows in December, then I pick up Tosca in January, Nixon in February as well as La Bo again, and then Boris resumes in March with my final show being Tosca April 16th- then ABT's season begins one month later.

In the mean time Im selling away at Esprit and looking forward to a short run of ABT's new production of The Nutcracker at B.A.M. This means I will be spending my first Christmas in New York! My parents and sister will be joining me up here for the Holiday and I think it will be a really fun and unique experience to celebrate in the City! Now I have a real excuse to buy and decorate a tree!

ABT Met Season Ends...

Well words cant even describe how much I loved working as a Dresser for American Ballet Theatre's 2010 Met Season. Every time I would walk up those steps to Lincoln Center I thought about how lucky I was to be there. Every night that I got a chance to watch from the wings I would get chills.



I made it a point to take in and appreciate that I loved being at work. Sure there were grumpy days full of sweaty and stinky costumes. There were rare moments of Ballerina Divas claiming they didn't have a hat or someone stole their tights.. Sometimes it was really hot and sometimes it was really cold. Burly Local One guys would yell at you if you were standing in the wrong spot. Maybe you'd have to smash a cockroach or two, but hey, it was worth it.



Because for all the sweat and stink and grumpiness there was everything else. Unbelievably talented and dedicated artists. Amazing supportive friends who watch each other from the wings. Some of the goofiest people I have ever met. The magic of being moved by movement and music 8 shows a week.



Thanks ABT! I cant wait till the next one!

A dream is a wish your heart makes...

Great news, my Mom is being released from the hospital tomorrow! Dreams do come true!


(The Castle from Sleeping Beauty)

Back to the Ballet

Looking forward to heading back to work today!



Corps member Nicole Graniero backstage before Sleeping Beauty's Garland Dance.

A View from Stage Left

(click to enlarge)

Chandeliers

Chandeliers waiting to be hung for Lady of the Camellias.

Fountain Faerie

A father and daughter discus the ballet in front of the Lincoln Center fountain.

Dressing Room...

Week one down, seven more to go!

Bayadere Tutus

Met Season Begins!

So yesterday was my first day at the Met. and we opened today! Im still getting used to the vastness that is backstage. One gets easily lost. The ladies are lovely and tomorrow we open La Bayadere. These costumes are amazing! Beautiful silks and sparkley beading!


source

Also, I couldnt resist being a huge dork and walking out onto center stage just to stare out into the house. I got goosebumps.

Burn...

Tomorrow I go to work at THE METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE!



Haha!

ABT

Hooray! I started working at American Ballet Theater this week! So far Im just doing some tedious labeling, but I dont care! I'm just happy to be there!



Right now were prepping John Neumeier's Lady of the Camellias. The dresses are so beautiful!





I love costumes!