ABT Launches New Apprentice Program

Good news for all aspiring ABT dancers: The company just annouced a new apprentice program. Each year, it will prepare six talented dancers to become apprentices with the corps de ballet under the guidance of ABT Studio Company artistic associate (and Pointe editor at large!) Kate Lydon and ABT ballet master Clinton Luckett. The dancers will train intensively for 10 weeks beginning in September, then dance as apprentices during The Nutcracker, and ABT’s spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House. They’ll take a daily technique class with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School principal Franco De Vita and ABT artistic staff, plus variations and pas de deux classes. Additionally, ABT staff will give them tutorials in ABT repertoire (covering ballet story lines, history, style and mime) and seminars in hair, makeup and company etiquette. The dancers will also recieve one-on-one attention from physical therapists and Pilates instructors to get personalized cross-training recommendations. for more, see abt.org.