Upcoming Deadlines

February 7th: Movement Research Parent Residency, February 9th: NEA Arts Project Grant, February 9th: Pew Center for Arts & Heritage Grants & Fellowships, February 10th: MacDowell Colony Residency, February 15th: Princess Grace Awards Program, February 27th: Jacob's Pillow: Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellows Program, March 1st: New England States Touring Grant, March 18th: BalletX Choreographic Fellowship, March 29th: USArtists International, April 14th: Arkansas Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship, April 30th: Copenhagen International Choreography Competition, May 7th: Atlantic Center for the Arts Mentoring Artist-in-Residence Program, May 22nd: National Performance Network - Creation & Development Fund, May 31st: National Dance Project Travel Fund, June 1st: New York Choreographic Institute Residency, June 1st: Sadie-Rose Residency Program, June 12th: National Dance Project Production Grant - New England Foundation for the Arts, June 30th: South Arts Professional Development & Artistic Planning Grants

×

News

"The Devil Ties My Tongue" by Amy Seiwert performed for the SKETCH Series, 2013. Photo by David DeSilva. Courtesy of Amy Seiwert's Imagery

‘Sleeping Beauty’: State Street Ballet Updates Classic Fairy Tale

/0 Comments/in /by

By Daisy Finefrock

09 March 2020

The traditional Sleeping Beauty story presents cultural challenges to a contemporary audience — a stranger kissing an unconscious woman isn’t the heroic gesture it used to be viewed as. Thanks to State Street Ballet, however, female choreographers are coming to Beauty’s rescue. On Saturday, March 14, the company will present the classic Tchaikovsky/Petipa Sleeping Beauty as reimagined for 21st-century audiences of all ages. Choreographers Cecily Stewart MacDougall, Megan Philipp, and Marina Fliagina have taken on the daunting task of adapting the classic ballet version while altering certain details to deliver a message of women’s self-empowerment. 

One of the most eye-catching aspects of this new production comes thanks to UCSB professor Christina McCarthy, who designed a 15-foot wearable dragon to act as sidekick to the wicked fairy, Carabosse. With great props, moving colors, beautiful costumes, and the dancing, this 90-minute version of what was originally a two-and-a-half-hour ballet should keep the kids engaged through every second. 

As part of their popular Family Series, State Street Ballet intends Sleeping Beauty to resonate with all ages. MacDougall pointed out some of her favorite moments to watch for, including the Garland Waltz, during which the prince and Aurora fall in love in the forest; as well as any scene with Carabosse, the Maleficent fairy godmother, and her dragon sidekick. 

Read the full article and see the gallery here.

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WBUR: Choreographer Helen Pickett Explores Femininity With Boston BalletColumbia Spectator: Choreographer Mari Meade re-examines gender norms in the...