NYCB’s Digital Season

It goes without saying that everyone at SAB was heartbroken when New York City Ballet was forced to cancel its 2020 Spring Season as a result of the coronavirus crisis. As the official academy of NYCB, the dancer ranks are filled with SAB alumni–including several of our current faculty members–so the loss of the season hits close to home. But the start of NYCB’s new Digital Spring Season last week was just the good news we were hoping for as it provides ballet-lovers a variety of innovative opportunities to watch, learn and support the Company’s work – all at no cost from the comfort of home!

The Digital Season follows a weekly structure, allowing one to add a little NYCB into their daily routines. Every Monday will see a new release from City Ballet The Podcast, with nine all-new episodes featuring discussions on some of the ballets included in the digital season programming.

Every Tuesday and Friday at 8 p.m. EST, a new video of a performance will be available to stream for 72 hours on the Company’s website, Facebook page or YouTube channel. This gives patrons from all over the opportunity to watch recent performances of some of the Company’s most beloved repertory, and essentially get a front-row seat to see their favorite dancers in action!

Here’s a clip from one of last week’s streams – the very recent premiere of Justin Peck’s Rotunda…

Upcoming performances include George Balanchine’s Ballo della Regina on May 1, and “Rubies” from Jewels on May 5 featuring recent SAB alumna Mira Nadon in her debut of the principal role. And of course you can still stream last night’s offering – Apollo featuring Taylor Stanley in his debut and Tiler Peck, Brittany Pollack, and Indiana Woodward.

Naturally, this digital season isn’t just about watching dance; NYCB has programmed several ways their patrons can get moving at home! Each Wednesday, you can join Wednesday With Wendy, a series of ballet-inspired movement classes taught by NYCB Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan on Instagram Live. This weekly class is suitable for people of all ages and levels of training, and each class will also be available after the livestream is complete on NYCB’s IGTV channel.

Fans around the world can now also attend Ballet Essentials, NYCB’s in-demand movement workshops, for which you can register and follow along via Zoom. Each Monday and Thursday, artists from the company lead viewers through a ballet warm-up and movement combination inspired by some of the Company’s iconic repertory. For example, the first session, led by SAB faculty member and NYCB Soloist, Lauren King took participants through the gorgeous opening movements of Balanchine’s Serenade. Upcoming sessions will focus on Justin Peck’s Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes and Balanchine’s Union Jack.

Lastly, younger ballet-fans can join the artists of New York City Ballet for a series of lively Saturday and Sunday morning movement activities, perfect for children ages 3-8. Each 20-minute virtual Ballet Break will include a warm-up and choreography inspired by some of NYCB’s most beloved ballets.

With so much to watch, listen to and do, you can see why we’re raving about this digital series. So pencil in each event to your agenda and enjoy all the amazing things New York City Ballet has to offer!

View the full details of all upcoming events and activities on the New York City Ballet’s Website.