Conversations on Dance | Ballet & Dance Careers

Today we are joined by Sara Mearns, Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet. Ms. Mearns entered the School of American Ballet in 2001, became an apprentice with the New York City Ballet in 2003 and by 2008 she was a Principal.  Sara is one of today’s most celebrated classical ballerinas.  She has an extensive rep with the company, and has originated roles in work’s by renowned choreographers including Alexei Ratmansky, Justin Peck, and Christopher Wheeldon.  In addition to her busy dancing career, Sara serves on the advisory board of Dance NYC, is an Ambassador for Nigel Lythgoe’s Dizzy Feet foundation, and has a partnership with Cole Haan where she collaborates for a 3-year campaign designing ballet flats and handbags.

Today we are joined by Sara Mearns, Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet. Ms. Mearns entered the School of American Ballet in 2001, became an apprentice with the New York City Ballet in 2003 and by 2008 she was a Principal.  Sara is one of today’s most celebrated classical ballerinas.  She has an extensive rep with the company, and has originated roles in work’s by renowned choreographers including Alexei Ratmansky, Justin Peck, and Christopher Wheeldon.  In addition to her busy dancing career, Sara serves on the advisory board of Dance NYC, is an Ambassador for Nigel Lythgoe’s Dizzy Feet foundation, and has a partnership with Cole Haan where she collaborates for a 3-year campaign designing ballet flats and handbags.

This week we are joined by Doug Fullington, assistant to the artistic director at Pacific Northwest Ballet and their education program’s manager. Mr. Fullington is a lauded dance historian, capable of reading Stepanov notation, a classical ballet notation system developed in Russia. He’s contributed to the reconstruction of many 19th century works, including ‘The Daughter of Pharaoh’, ‘Le Corsaire’, and recently, PNB’s ‘Giselle’. In 2000, he was named principal researcher for the George Balanchine Foundation’s  project entitled ’Popular Balanchine’.  We are thrilled today to talk to Doug about the compelling and perhaps little known history behind America’s most beloved holiday tradition, the Nutcracker.

This week we are joined by Doug Fullington, assistant to the artistic director at Pacific Northwest Ballet and their education program’s manager. Mr. Fullington is a lauded dance historian, capable of reading Stepanov notation, a classical ballet notation system developed in Russia. He’s contributed to the reconstruction of many 19th century works, including ‘The Daughter of Pharaoh’, ‘Le Corsaire’, and recently, PNB’s ‘Giselle’. In 2000, he was named principal researcher for the George Balanchine Foundation’s  project entitled ’Popular Balanchine’.  We are thrilled today to talk to Doug about the compelling and perhaps little known history behind America’s most beloved holiday tradition, the Nutcracker.

This week we are joined by Julie Kent, Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet.  Ms Kent danced with American Ballet Theater for over 30 years, 22 of those as a Principal Dancer, and is one of the company’s most celebrated performers.  She retired from the stage in 2015 to a 23 minute standing ovation.  She then went on to head the ABT summer intensive until this past July when she was named Artistic Director of the Washington Ballet.

This week we are joined by Julie Kent, Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet.  Ms Kent danced with American Ballet Theater for over 30 years, 22 of those as a Principal Dancer, and is one of the company’s most celebrated performers.  She retired from the stage in 2015 to a 23 minute standing ovation.  She then went on to head the ABT summer intensive until this past July when she was named Artistic Director of the Washington Ballet.

Today we are joined by Reid Bartleme and Harriet Jung, prolific costume designers working in New York City.  The pair met in classes at The Fashion Institute of Technology and founded Reid & Harriet designs in 2011.  Since then, they have designed costumes for some of the most sought after current choreographers, and costumed productions at American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. (Reid & Harriet, Costume Designers)

Today we are joined by Reid Bartleme and Harriet Jung, prolific costume designers working in New York City.  The pair met in classes at The Fashion Institute of Technology and founded Reid & Harriet designs in 2011.  Since then, they have designed costumes for some of the most sought after current choreographers, and costumed productions at American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. (Reid & Harriet, Costume Designers)

This week we are pleased to welcome Sarah Hay, Actress and Ballerina.  She is a former dancer with the Semperoper Ballet in Dresden and the star of the Starz mini series “Flesh and Bone.”  Ms. Hay was nominated for a Golden Globe and a Critics choice award, and a winner of a Satellite award for her portrayal of Claire Robbins in the series.  She is now living in Los Angeles and has a reccurring role in a new comedy series “I’m Dying Up Here” coming in 2017.

This week we are pleased to welcome Sarah Hay, Actress and Ballerina.  She is a former dancer with the Semperoper Ballet in Dresden and the star of the Starz mini series “Flesh and Bone.”  Ms. Hay was nominated for a Golden Globe and a Critics choice award, and a winner of a Satellite award for her portrayal of Claire Robbins in the series.  She is now living in Los Angeles and has a reccurring role in a new comedy series “I’m Dying Up Here” coming in 2017.