Dancers, illusion and magicians

Quote from George Balanchine and image from Crystal Pite’s Tempest Replica

The inspirational quote this week comes from George Balanchine and is; ‘The choreographer and the dancer must remember that they reach the audience through the eye. It’s the illusion created which convinces the audience, much as it is with the work of a magician.’

Balanchine’s work with television was extensive and his four part PBS series “Dance in America” began in December 1977. He personally supervised every shot, and sometimes revised moves to make the choreography work better on camera. The programme was so well received that he was awarded an Emmy as did a later performance of Coppelia seen live from the stag of the New York State Theater at the Lincoln Center. Eight years later they performed Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the same program.

  I post a dance photograph and dance quote and a related fact or two every Friday. If you would like your favourite dance quote to be included let me know.