Balanchine TechniqueWhile the magazine is still on sale, perhaps I should describe the article. There are nine full-page sized photos: the cover (
Stars and Stripes), table of contents (
Carousel), another
Carousel to begin the article, and then six more meant to illustrate Balanchine technique. There are also six smaller photos, also about technique. Sean Lavery supplies commentary for each Balanchine technique photo. A typical example:
QUOTE
In soussus croise, Kathryn epitomizes the Balanchine epaulement. "Look at her head and neck. If she wasn't a Balanchine dancer, her head would be straight to the front and her torso would be more like a pencil," says Lavery. "If you look at her from the waist down, she's perfectly straight, she's completely on balance--then look at her torso and she makes the rounder shape." Also in croise, the head is tipped up to the ceiling. "There is a curve in the whole line of her body."
As a totally ignorant fan, I found the article quite illuminating, although obviously really aimed at young dance students (even moreso than, say,
Pointe). In its first two pages, the article traces Ms. Morgan's rather meteoric career, as well as giving "Fast Facts," such as
QUOTE
FIRST TUTU: When Kathryn was 2, she saw the Bolshoi Ballet on television. She promptly ripped the tutu off her ballerina teddy bear, put it on, and danced along with the TV.
It then switches to Mr. Lavery, and the subject of technique. The photos by Erin Baiano are stunning, as is, of course, the ballerina.