Finding Time for Fun!

Thursday, February 4th, 2010 | All Posts by Ben Stewart, SFB Scene | No Comments

Hello All, Matt and I are really excited about the upcoming programs, especially the new Wheeldon piece, Ghosts, and Company B. Matt and I both learned the “Pennsylvania Polka” role in Company B and we are both in the corps of Ghosts, so we get to dance with each other a lot which is nice. The music is absolutely gorgeous for Ghosts, and the movement is enjoyable and challenging at the same time. I think Christopher has choreographed a smash hit. I hope you’ll agree with me when you see the duet he has choreographed for Damian Smith and Yuan Yuan Tan. The music and the choreography combined are enough to take your breath away.

On the lighter side of things, the other day a lot of the guys in company class decided to show our wilder side by all wearing crazy colored tights made by Myles Thatcher’s mother. The dancewear line is called Saut de Basque. Here’s a picture for your enjoyment. We like to keep a sense of humor even while we’re working hard. It dissipates any stress that might be building up. :)

Hangin' out after class

Tags: Ben Stewart, Company B, Company Class, Ghosts, Matt Stewart, Myles Thatcher

The Dancing Nutcracker: a Tough Nut to Crack

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 | All Posts by Ben Stewart | No Comments

Hello friends, it’s Nutcracker time once again! This is my favorite year so far because it has been stress-free and the most fun. I believe that, in my fourth year, I can finally relax and enjoy performing because I know the choreography and I have gotten over my nerves about performing the Dancing Nutcracker doll.

The Dancing Nutcracker in the party scene (© Erik Tomasson)

I think the role of Dancing Nutcracker is probably the most difficult and nerve-racking part in Nutcracker. Ask any dancer who has to put on the five-pound head which you can barely see out of and try to do a double-tour and turns in second. The task is difficult and I remember almost having a panic attack every show before performing the role my first season!

On top of wearing the enormous head which is hard to see out of, there are a lot of difficult maneuvers you have to perform inside of the very small box so that the magic takes place. I remember my first year having the box close down on the toe of my boot and pin it there and I almost couldn’t get my foot unstuck before the box opened and I had to march out! Imagine how nervous I was in the dark small box not able to move my foot thinking “this box is going to open and I’m going to be stuck here like a tack to the ground!” Luckily the last hard tug I gave pulled my boot free just in the nick of time and I marched out with a panicked look on my face. Good thing no one could see my face.

The Dancing Nutcracker backstage (© Erik Tomasson)

Now that it is my fourth year, I don’t have panic attacks anymore. I calmly put on the costume and take comfort in the fact that I haven’t fallen on my rear yet, so it’s most likely I’ll do just fine, lol. I might not always land my double tour perfectly, but I still try to nail it as best I can. Some nights are better than others. It is always an on-the-edge-of-your-seat moment for everyone on stage and backstage to see how the Dancing Nutcracker does. Will he make his double tour and turns? One of my tricks used to be clenching every muscle in my body for the entire time I was on stage. It worked for the most part, but it became a little strenuous. I have figured out how to perform the role a little more calmly now and figured out little tricks over the years on how to actually turn in the large head, because the problem is you can’t spot while you turn.

Hopefully next time you see SFB’s Nutcracker you will have a whole new appreciation of what the Dancing Nutcracker has to go through! : ) I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Happy New Year!

Tags: Ben Stewart, Nutcracker

As Good as it Gets?

Friday, October 16th, 2009 | All Posts by Matt Stewart, Perpetual Motion: SFB on Tour | No Comments

This summer was shaping up to be the best summer a person could reasonably ask for. Three weeks after the end of a successful 2009 repertory season I was able to record my first album, No Return Address, with some great friends from the Ballet, including soloist James Sofranko, former master electrician at SFB Dennis Hudson, and my twin brother, Benjamin Stewart.

Me, Jim, and Ben working in the studio

A short two weeks later, I’m in North Carolina walking down the aisle with my wife (Courtney Elizabeth) for the first time as “Mr. and Mrs. Stewart.” The feelings during and after the ceremony were overwhelming. I felt as good as I had always dreamed I would, just a flood of joy and peace. It was an amazing wedding week; no regrets whatsoever.

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart!

We then flew off to our honeymoon location of Prince Edward Island, which we chose because of our mutual love of the Anne of Green Gables series. It’s a quiet and charming island with miles of scenic drives, and plenty of space to just relax and get away from the world for a moment.

Here we are enjoying our honeymoon destination: Prince Edward Island

I’m not sure if everyone else feels the same way, but when things are going so perfectly, you start to wonder when the bottom is going to fall out. Well, it’s four months later and I’d say things are still looking up!

Courtney and I have moved into a wonderful new apartment only minutes from work. And we have an actual view! We had a great time releasing my CD in August at Crimson Lounge, as well as debuting another singer/songwriter in the Company, Shannon Roberts. She has a voice, as you may have noticed during West Side Story Suite. And I found out that WSSS was the first time she sang in front of an audience OR her parents! Talent! I’m going to have to collaborate with her for sure. Keep an eye out for her!

Performing at the release party at the Crimson Lounge

Then we had the tour to China: not a bad follow-up to the summer’s events— what a cultural experience. It was kind of a shock the first time I looked out my window in Shanghai and saw the magnitude of the buildings in that city. Four years in NYC couldn’t prepare me for that!

The view from my hotel room

The number of people is worth noting too; never again will I feel crowded in Union Square or Golden Gate Park! The highlight of the trip for me, and it was surprisingly emotional, was standing on the Great Wall. It had been a dream of mine to visit the Wall ever since I saw pictures and video of it as a student in Minnesota. I wrote it off as a dream that I would never get to realize since I was a middle-class Midwesterner and didn’t expect to leave the borders of the US. Boy did I ever! Thanks to SFB I’ve had the privilege of touring to Paris, Athens, London, Iceland, and now China.

Here I am on the Great Wall!

On the last day of the China Tour, another positive event occurred. I’m excited to announce that it’s easier than ever to access my music because as of September 2009, I’m on iTunes! (Search Matt Stewart, No Return Address, since there’s ANOTHER Matt Stewart on iTunes.) I think that one of the best ways to get to know me is to get to know my music. It’s truly a privilege for me to be able to share my music with people, and I hope you stop by and check it out.

A screenshot of my album on iTunes

After such a great summer I’m really looking forward to the rest of the dance season. A highlight for me last year was getting to dance in Russian Seasons as the Violet Man, and I can’t wait to revisit that role. Some other things I’m looking forward to are Paul Taylor’s Company B, John Neumeier’s The Little Mermaid, and Helgi Tomasson’s Romeo & Juliet. I really encourage you to come see these ballets if you get a chance. This season promises to be an exciting one, and who knows, maybe you’ll get to see my wife and me dance together!

See you in the Opera House!

Tags: Ben Stewart, China Tour, Courtney Elizabeth, James Sofranko, Matt Stewart

Catching up with the Stewart Brothers

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 | All Posts by Ben Stewart | No Comments

Right now, I’m in my sixth class of a masters of Arts in Education program, with an emphasis in instruction and curriculum, through the University of Phoenix. So far I am maintaining a 4.0 GPA and really enjoy it. My twin brother Matthew and I are also practicing a lot in preparation for recording his first professional album in May. He’s been writing songs and playing guitar for years, but never felt it was the right time to make an album. We can’t wait and are extremely excited!

Also, this summer my brother is getting married to a fellow SFB dancer, Courtney Elizabeth, and I’m so excited and happy for the two of them! I’m the best man of course! The wedding will be in North Carolina and it will be a nice vacation for us.

My wife, Erin Stewart, is one of the faces of the new Smuin Ballet ad campaign. You will be seeing posters of her on BART and on buses around the city very soon.

I think that about wraps it up. Life is good!

Tags: Ben Stewart, Courtney Elizabeth, Matthew Stewart, Smuin Ballet