Tom Cardy of New Zealand's Dominion Post reports that ABT's Ethan Stiefel and Gillian Murphy will be joining the Royal New Zealand Ballet – he as Artistic Director; she as a principal dancer. The article indicates that Murphy will continue to perform with ABT and elsewhere in the world:
While the Royal NZ Ballet was rapt with Stiefel's appointment, it had been unclear whether Murphy would perform with the company. However, Stiefel confirmed exclusively to The Dominion Post that she will dance here.
"Gillian and I committed to coming to Wellington and the [Royal NZ Ballet] together. Because of this fact, she will have a consistent performing presence with the company, while maintaining the key guesting and [American Ballet Theatre] engagements a ballerina of her stature should be doing at this point in her career. Perhaps, this is even bigger news than my becoming artistic director."
Sounds like a nice place to sun and swim but sure is a long way from New York. Hope this opportunity for Stiefel works out better than the Ballet Pacifica and North Carolina School of the Arts gigs did.
Oh dear I feel like I have egg on my face...I made nearly that exact comment on BT and come here a few hours later to see you had already said the same thing! Great (sarcastic?) minds think alike?
Posted by: K | October 30, 2010 at 12:46 AM
Not really sarcasm. I really hope this works out for Stiefel. However, if he bails on the Royal New Zealand Ballet after a short time like he did at Ballet Pacifica and NCSA, it would make him look rather insincere, if not flaky.
In this era of globalization, it's a smart move on Murphy's part to initiate a career of more meaningful opportunities with selective partners. She won't have to do things like Azure Barton's One of Three with you-know-who. She might get to do Giselle or Manon elsewhere. She might turn up as a guest at NYCB - wouldn't that be great!
Posted by: Haglund | October 30, 2010 at 06:18 AM
now i'm confused! i thought that his reason for resigning from the deanship was to focus on his dancing! but ethan is taking gillian, so that means he is committing to this one? and what about his dancing?
hmm and i guess this means ABT will have two new male principals soon, and at least one female principal? i wonder if cory is in the running? does it snow in alaska?
Posted by: michael | November 02, 2010 at 03:31 PM
Who knows. Maybe Gillian going to NZ is what clinched the deal for him. For the past few years, he's been hop-stopping through artistic administrator jobs while really not doing any meaningful amounts of performing - in part due to injury. Nor has his dancing been in top form. It's important that he make this opportunity work.
Posted by: Haglund | November 02, 2010 at 05:55 PM