Kinetic Conversations with the Fort Wayne Ballet

This episode explores George Balanchine's contributions to American dance, focusing on the creation of his ballet Serenade and his early career challenges in the United States.

This episode features an interview with Cameron Basden of the Arpino Trust discussing the Fort Wayne Ballet's performance series, including Gerald Arpino's Light Rain and Balanchine's Serenade.

This episode explores the transition of Russian ballet from Marius Petipa's era to Sergei Diaghilev's influence during the Bolshevik Revolution, highlighting how political changes affected dance.

This episode explores the historical transition of Russian ballet from Marius Petipa's influential reign through the political instability of the Bolshevik Revolution, focusing on how dancers like Sergei Dmitriev navigated these changes.

This episode explores the history and lasting traditions of The Nutcracker ballet, focusing on its American origins with William Christensen and its 80th anniversary.

This episode explores the collaboration between choreographer Marius Petipa and composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky in creating The Nutcracker, discussing their creative process and historical context.

This episode explores the history and creation of The Nutcracker ballet, focusing on Marius Petipa's choreography, its initial reception, and unique elements like children playing primary roles.

This episode explores how Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes revolutionized dance in the early 20th century, contrasting Russian classical ballet with the declining French tradition and highlighting Diaghilev's innovative repertoire approach.

This episode features an interview with Karen Gibbons-Brown, Artistic Director of Fort Wayne Ballet, discussing the ballet Don Quixote as a stylish romantic comedy and its characters.

This episode introduces the ballet adaptation of Don Quixote, focusing on its plot involving young lovers Keitri and Basilio, and how it differs from the original Cervantes literature.

This episode explores Marius Petipa's transition from a dancer in the Romantic era to a key figure who ushered in the Classical era of ballet through his work in Russia.

This episode features an interview with dancer Cameron Bazin discussing the ballet piece 'Italian Sweet' by Gerald Arpino, exploring its choreographic style and historical context as part of Fort Wayne Ballet's Opening Night program.

This episode features an interview with Fort Wayne Ballet's Artistic Director Karen Givens-Brown discussing when children should start structured dance classes, the importance of free play for development, and why classical ballet should wait until age 7-8.

This episode discusses Fort Wayne Ballet's Season 68, focusing on how theater renovations have impacted performance planning and led to innovative productions like a unique Nutcracker and contemporary works.

This episode explores the impact of Diaghilev's Ballet Russe, focusing on his mentorship of Nijinsky and the controversial premiere of The Rite of Spring.

Three dancers from the Fort Wayne Ballet discuss their personal experiences and the significance of performing in the Nutcracker ballet annually.

This episode is a compilation of past discussions about The Nutcracker ballet, featuring historical insights from artistic director Karen Gibbons Brown on its origins, creators, and initial reception.

This episode features an interview with choreographer Mark Godden, discussing his career transition from music and theater to ballet and his extensive work in choreography.

This episode discusses Fort Wayne Ballet's family series, featuring youth company director Raleigh Sparrow explaining the 30-minute performances, creative activities, and selection process based on children's literature.

This episode explores the Ballet Russe's significance in early 20th-century dance, focusing on Sergei Diaghilev's role in assembling top artists, composers, and choreographers like Mikhail Fokine.

This episode explores the historical choreography of The Nutcracker ballet, focusing on how Petipa incorporated folk dances and cultural elements into the production, particularly in Act One's party scene.

Three dancers from the Fort Wayne Ballet discuss their personal connections to performing in The Nutcracker, highlighting its annual tradition and emotional significance.

Artistic Director Karen Gibbons-Brown concludes a series on the Romantic era of ballet, highlighting its transformative impact on women's roles and discussing key works like Giselle and Coppelia.

This episode compiles past discussions about The Nutcracker ballet, exploring its history, creation by Marius Petipa and Tchaikovsky, and its initial reception.

This episode discusses the transition from classical ballet under King Louis XIV to the Romantic era, highlighting how ballet evolved from political statements and entertainment to story ballets and the increased importance of women in dance.

This episode explores the origins of classical ballet, tracing its development from 14th-15th century court dancing in France to its codification under King Louis XIV.

This episode discusses the ballet adaptation of Don Quixote, focusing on its characters, plot, and historical choreography.

This episode explores the historical evolution of dance training and physical expectations for dancers, featuring an interview with Fort Wayne Ballet's Artistic Director Karen Gibbons-Brown.

This episode features an interview with Kim Sagami, a close friend of choreographer Eddie Sturley, discussing her role in restaging his works and preserving his legacy in ballet.

This episode features interviews with participants of the Fort Wayne Ballet Summer Intensive, where they share their backgrounds, motivations for joining, and positive experiences with the program's diverse dance styles, teachers, and community.

This episode features a discussion with dancers and instructors about the pre-professional ballet program at Fort Wayne Ballet, exploring training experiences and career paths in dance.

This episode features an interview with professional ballet dancers Brittany Folk and Caleb Roberts, who discuss their roles as Romeo and Juliet in Fort Wayne Ballet's upcoming production, sharing insights on character preparation and performance.

This episode explores the ballet adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, discussing its origins, Prokofiev's initial desire for a happy ending, and what audiences can expect from the production.

This episode features an interview with dancer Robert LaFosse discussing his career and his connection to Jerome Robbins' ballet 'Fancy Free' as part of Fort Wayne Ballet's season opener.

This episode features testimonials from students at the Fort Wayne Ballet Summer Intensive sharing their positive experiences with the program's teachers, classes, and personal growth opportunities.

This episode features an interview with choreographer David Ingram about his piece Les Selfites for Fort Wayne Ballet's Ballet Russe Reimagined series, discussing his background and career in dance.

This episode features a conversation between Eddie Sturley's sister Rose Worden and artistic director Karen Gibbons-Brown about the legacy of Eddie's ballet pieces being performed by Fort Wayne Ballet.

This episode provides an overview of Fort Wayne Ballet's summer dance camps, featuring Artistic Director Karen Gibbons-Brown and instructors discussing fairy tale camps for young children.

This episode features an interview with Fort Wayne Ballet's Artistic Director Karen Gibbons-Brown discussing the Ballet Russe Reimagined series, focusing on the history of the original Ballet Russe under Diaghilev and its connection to their spring programming.

This episode of Kinetic Conversations features guests Robert LaFosse and David Ingram discussing Fort Wayne Ballet's production of Romeo and Juliet, focusing on their backgrounds and the ballet's staging.

This episode compiles past discussions about The Nutcracker ballet, exploring its history, inception with Marius Petipa and Tchaikovsky, and its initial reception.

This episode explores the pivotal transition of the Ballet Russe after Diaghilev's death, focusing on the leadership changes, creative disputes, and legal battles that led to the formation of two competing companies.

This episode discusses the emergence of dance stars in the Romantic era, focusing on ballerina Maria Taglioni's unconventional training and her father's role in creating the ballet La Sylphide to showcase her unique physical attributes.

This episode features an interview with Fort Wayne Ballet Executive Director Jim Sparrow about his career journey and the operations of a ballet company beyond their annual Nutcracker production.

This episode concludes a three-part series on Fort Wayne Ballet's Opening Night, focusing on Agnes DeMille's ballet 'Three Virgins and a Devil' and featuring an interview with Artistic Director Karen Gibbons Brown.

This special episode explores the personal journeys of dancers, featuring a 2019 interview with Raymond Lukens discussing modern training methods and the appreciation of excellence in dance.

Artistic Director Karen Givens-Brown discusses Fort Wayne Ballet's Season 69, focusing on returning to their home theater for fall performances like the Nutcracker and how it differs from last year's productions.

This episode kicks off a miniseries on Eddie Sterling, a dancer and choreographer for the Joffrey Ballet who died young but left a lasting legacy.

This episode concludes a series on story ballets, focusing on Swan Lake with Artistic Director Karen Gibbons-Brown.