All Posts by Elana Altman

Aside from being the Snow Queen…

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 | All Posts by Elana Altman, SFB Scene | No Comments

The past few weeks I have been fortunate enough to work with Renato Zanella on his new piece for the 2010 Season.  The first thing that struck me about him is that he came very prepared.  More than just seeing the piece in his mind, he could show us the steps with his body, making it easier for me to learn what he wants and how to do it.   Of course the steps morphed when Renato saw them on our bodies and with our pointe shoes.  Some swivels that worked so well in his socks were not quite the same with our hard boxes and shanks!  Since Renato was familiar with almost every step of his ballet when he arrived, the daunting task of creating an entire ballet in three weeks was accomplished.  We had the first run-through tonight and it looks fantastic!  I’m learning the Storyteller role–a somewhat dark, mysterious creature.  It’s fabulous and I’m eager to see the ballet come to life on stage next spring.

In other hours of the day I’m rehearsing Forsythe’s in the middle, somewhat elevated, one of my all-time favorites.  And then there’s Nutcracker right around the corner.  One thing I love about this Company is that during one hour I’m doing crazy contemporary movement, throwing myself around to the extreme, and the next hour I’m in a tutu dancing Queen of the Snow.  It is that variety and contrast on which I thrive.

Elana Altman and Brett Bauer in Tomasson's Nutcracker (© Erik Tomasson)

Elana Altman and Brett Bauer in Tomasson's Nutcracker. (© Erik Tomasson)

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Winding down…

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 | All Posts by Elana Altman | 1 Comment

As the end of the season quickly approaches I am filled with two conflicting feelings.  I am excited for a break–my body needs it–and I have a fantastic vacation planned to Belgium, The Netherlands, and Turkey; this hot weather is making the idea of summer break even more tempting.  On the other hand, as we’re about to open the last program, so I’m sad to think about the end of the performing season.  Performing is such a rush for me, and the summer months without shows are always arduous.  So although vacation will be wonderful, I have to remember to not get ahead of myself and to savor these last few shows of the season. 

Elana Altman and Pierre-François Vilanoba in Elo's Double Evil (© Erik Tomasson)

Elana Altman and Pierre-François Vilanoba in Elo's Double Evil (© Erik Tomasson)

In these last programs, I’m dancing two ballets that are not new for me.  Double Evil was created only last season, but we’ve already danced it all over the country.  And I’ve danced “Rubies” for two seasons now.  I like roles that feel more comfortable and finding new things to focus on.  It is fabulous that in this art form one never stops growing.  So no matter how many times I’ve danced a part, there’s always something new to find in it.  Yesterday in a Double Evil rehearsal, Jorma Elo told us to find one new place in the ballet to look at our partners.  Pierre-Francois and I already have many moments of shared eye contact throughout the piece so this task will create new chemistry, and give this part that we know so well, some new meaning.

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