observations 7-22

This little story is quite incredible. What a gutsy grand jete onto a huge stage in front of the most massive and knowledgeable TV ballet audience on earth. "Скайлар" will be on everyone's lips come January...

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It’s hard to believe that just one week ago, I hopped a plane to Paris just after the last show of the ABT season. For those who don’t know, Mikhailovsky Theater’s @julianmackay contacted me to replace his injured partner for the biggest ballet competition TV show in Russia. After he sent me the rep and the filming schedule, I questioned how I was going to be able to learn and refine five pieces (four of which I had never touched before) and go into filming by that Friday. However, seeing as I have a Russian visa due to my trip there to study the style that I love so much, I took it as a sign that I should say yes. Without knowing much more about the show, I booked my ticket and found myself at the exquisite Palais Garnier nine hours later. Straight off the plane without stopping at the hotel, I rehearsed for at least four hours with just an idea of the choreography from my video links. After a few intense days of cramming, rehearsals, and severe jet lag, Julian and I went to Moscow for the filming. At the close of this week, I have had made two debuts with three more pieces to go. This short paragraph could not possibly sum up all of the things that have happened between last Sunday and this one, but all I can say is that I am enjoying every moment and feel indebted to my partner Julian for this unbelievable opportunity and for all of the fun and laughs we have shared thus far. I am a non-competitor in this partnership, but I am every ounce as invested in this project as Julian. The show will air on Russian television January of next year, but in the meantime, here is a #bts shot. #russia #bigballet #adventure

 

A post shared by Skylar Brandt (@skylarbrandt) on Jul 22, 2018 at 3:19pm PDT

Too bad we didn't get to see her Kitri, Nikiya or Giselle this spring. If McKenzie doesn't stop putting off Skylar's debuts so he can feature some fakerina instead, he may find that Skylar has found more prestigious companies who don't take her talent for granted.

 

Comments

[Carrie]

That's an incredible story! What an opportunity for Skyler! Thank you for sharing it!

[Rachel Perez]

Truly amazing opportunity for Skylar - I hope we see some of the footage and, more importantly, that Kevin McKenzie does!

[Georgiann]

Wow! Skylar is amazing to take on this wonderful opportunity with the challenges she described. She is true ballerina material! Thanks for the post, Haglund. This brightened my day!

[Pat]

If MacKenzie was smart (which we know is not the case) he would: 1. Watch out that Skyler does not get lured over to the Mikhailovsky, and 2. Make a grab for Julian MacKay. He is Bolshoi trained, American and very young. He appears tall and although he is very thin, he will fill out. He could be a big star here. I hope we get to see some footage from the show.