ballet – News Stories About ballet - Page 2

Portman: I Thought
Black Swan Would Kill Me

Jan 3, 2011 2:40 AM CST

Portman: I Thought Black Swan Would Kill Me

Grueling regimen just a taste of what real dancers go through

(Newser) - With her punishing schedule, 8-hour daily rehearsals, and 20-pound weight loss on an almonds-and-carrots diet, Natalie Portman feared her training for the critically acclaimed ballet film Black Swan might kill her, reports the Independent . "There were some nights that I thought I literally was going to die," says...

Naomi Cries,
Explains Rage
Issues to Oprah

sad supermodels

May 4, 2010 8:06 AM CDT

Naomi Cries, Explains Rage Issues to Oprah

It all goes back to ballet...

(Newser) - Poor, poor Naomi Campbell was too tall to be a ballerina, and the ensuing anguish she went through probably has a lot to do with why she now punches cameras and throws cell phones at people. The supermodel actually broke down in tears yesterday on Oprah while talking about her...

YouTube 'Alchemist'
Makes Ballet Legend Dance

GLOSSIES

Jun 22, 2009 7:44 PM CDT

YouTube 'Alchemist' Makes Ballet Legend Dance

(Newser) - A YouTuber has unearthed the only footage of famed early 20th-century dancer Vaslav Nijinsky in existence, the New Yorker reports—sort of. Actually, it’s more like he created it himself. “These films are animations of photographs,” Christian Comte said. “I work as an alchemist in animated...

YouTube Lets Ballerinas DIY

Jun 3, 2008 2:44 PM CDT

YouTube Lets Ballerinas DIY

But teachers are 'horrified', cite potential for injury

(Newser) - Formal ballet is one of the most rigid education systems in art—dancers spend years doing exercises before they are even allowed to purchase pointe shoes. But some students are abandoning the hierarchy and turning to a less-stringent, modern master—YouTube. The Wall Street Journal takes a look at aspiring...

Donkey Retires From Ballet

Mar 24, 2008 5:54 PM CDT

Donkey Retires From Ballet

Monika ends successful run with Russia's Mariinsky ballet

(Newser) - A veteran Russian artiste is headed for retirement today: Monika, a 21-year-old female donkey. She has performed for 19 years as the trusty steed of Sancho Panza in the Mariinsky ballet's production of Don Quixote. "She loves to perform and she loves applause," said Tatyana Solomatina of the...

Choreographer Kidd Dies at 92

Dec 25, 2007 6:20 PM CST

Choreographer Kidd Dies at 92

He won five Tonys and and an honorary Oscar

(Newser) - Choreographer Michael Kidd, creator of some of the most enduring dance steps on Broadway and in Hollywood, has died of cancer at age 92, the New York Times reports. Kidd, who won five Tonys and an honorary Oscar, is best known for his choreography in the 1954 film Seven Brides ...

KGB Doggedly Stalked Nureyev

Sep 19, 2007 8:47 PM CDT

KGB Doggedly Stalked Nureyev

Russians wanted to break defector dancer’s legs

(Newser) - He was never interested in politics, but Rudolf Nureyev was a KGB scourge for decades after his 1961 defection. The famed ballet dancer’s colleagues were glad to see him go—‘Rudik’ was a prima donna to management and competition for fellow performers—but the state was incensed, the...

Ballerinas Dance Into History

Jun 24, 2007 3:16 PM CDT

Ballerinas Dance Into History

Nichols, Ferri star in weekend farewells

(Newser) - Two of the dance world's biggest names took their leave this weekend as Alessandra Ferri and Kyra Nichols sashayed into retirement in touchingly similar fashion—onstage with their young children in a hail of cheers and flowers. Nichols, 48, bowed out after 33 years with New York City Ballet; Ferri,...