American Ballet Theatre

7 Stories

Ballet Dancer Becomes NYC Subway Hero

He jumped down to save man pushed on tracks

(Newser) - Not all heroes wear tights—but New York City man Gray Davis does, in his job as a dancer with the American Ballet Theater. Davis, 31, sprang into action after a homeless man was pushed onto subway tracks on Saturday night, jumping onto the tracks and lifting the unconscious 58-year-old...

Black Ballerina Makes History

Misty Copeland is now the principal dancer of American Ballet Theatre

(Newser) - Misty Copeland, the Missouri-born dancer who has become a forceful voice for diversity in ballet and a rare celebrity in that field, was named principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre today— the first African-American ballerina to achieve that status in the company's 75-year history. The company announced the promotion...

Black Swan Drama: How Much Did Natalie Really Dance?

Natalie Portman 'can't move,' squawks dancer-double Sarah Lane

(Newser) - Uh-oh. The black swan is emerging in the ballet dancer who doubled for actress Natalie Portman. Sarah Lane, a performer with the American Ballet Theatre, now says she performed some 95% of the "full body shot" dances in Black Swan. "I would say 5% are Natalie," says...

First Lady Praises Arts on NYC Visit

Michelle attends ballet gala, reopening of Met's American wing

(Newser) - Michelle Obama emphasized the administration's support for the arts on a visit to New York City yesterday, the New York Times reports. Speaking at the ribbon-cutting for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's partially reopened American wing and at the star-studded opening night of the American Ballet Theater, the first lady...

YouTube Lets Ballerinas DIY
 YouTube Lets Ballerinas DIY 

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...

ABT Ballerina Killed in Jersey Crash

Dancer dies, husband injured as they're struck exiting disabled car

(Newser) - A dancer for the American Ballet Theater is dead and her dancer husband seriously injured after a fender-bender on an icy New Jersey highway turned fatal. Jennifer Alexander and her husband were returning from a Pennsylvania performance of The Nutcracker when they exited their vehicle after a nine-car pileup, and...

Ballerinas Dance Into History
Ballerinas Dance Into History

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,...

7 Stories