Talking Pointes April 2018 News Jane Sheridan 508-367-4949 [email protected] From the Desk of the President Barbara Jacob 561-573-6868 [email protected] feature Christopher Hird, Director of It’s been an honor to serve as Interim President Education. of the Friends of The Sarasota Ballet (FSB) for the past year. I’m pleased to be turning over the With guest speakers (Principal Dancer Logan reins to Richard March, who has been elected Learned, Assistant Director & Repetiteur to fulfill this position for the next 2 years. With Margaret Barbieri and Director Iain Webb) the fabulous Donna Maytham as his Vice- at the earlier luncheons, we have had exceptional President, I am confident that FSB will thrive as attendance. I hope that next Season more of you we move forward under their leadership. will be able to take advantage of these opportunities to learn more about the inside But you won’t see the last of me! My work as a workings of The Ballet! volunteer will continue at Dance – The Next Generation (DNG). I am thrilled that these The Committee also organized two memorable kids, designated by their teachers as at-risk, are evening events, Meet Me at the Barre and being given an opportunity to succeed. It would Love in Bloom. These were opportunities to be remiss of me if I did not personally thank Lisa meet and mingle with dancers and staff in a Townsend, her staff and all of the volunteers who convivial environment. In addition to funding give both their time and leadership to this our operations, the luncheons and cocktail amazing project. You can read more about DNG parties raised funds that allowed the Friends to in the article about the On Pointe Luncheon. I present a check for $15,000 to Director Iain am so proud of all of the Friends who showed Webb on behalf of The Sarasota Ballet at the their support at this amazing event. March Showcase Luncheon. DSC, chaired by the indefatigable Peggy As this Season ends, I would also like to thank Sweeney and assisted by Laurie Fitch, went to every Officer, Board Member, Committee Chair, great effort to ensure that the dancers were Volunteer and Friend for his or her hard work provided food between performances at the FSU and support. Your collective efforts allowed us to Center for the Performing Arts and at the Van fulfill our Mission — to support the performances Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Many of you and programs of The Sarasota Ballet through brought food or donated money to provide meals, advocacy and fundraising. for which we are very grateful. What many of us don’t realize is that Peggy and Laurie not only If space permitted, I would honor each and every have to set up the donated food, they have to go one of you by name. Please permit me to back the morning after the final performance to highlight the efforts of two groups — the Special clean the kitchen area. So, please join me in Events Committee (SEC) and Dancers’ Suppers offering my sincerest thanks for what they do! Committee (DSC). It is likely that the April Volunteer Appreciation Much has been accomplished by the SEC under Luncheon will have taken place before this Donna Maytham’s leadership. We will have newsletter is mailed. As noted last year, the held four Showcase Luncheons, including the organization benefits from the many volunteers April Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon that will who do outstanding work year after year. 1 I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the In addition to being an opportunity to get up 2017–2018 honorees: close and personal with staff and dancers, this cocktail party was a fundraising event for The Backstage Tours — Laurie Hofheimer Ballet. It would not have been possible without Box Office — Phyllis Myers the efforts of Donna Maytham and her team of Dancers Suppers — Charlotte Hedge volunteers — Peggy Abt, Colleen Curran, Dance – The Next Generation — The Staff Laurie Feder, Betty Ferguson, Marilyn appreciates every DNG Volunteer Nordby, Bobbye Schott and Lauren Walsh Special Events — Bobbye Schott, Donna (who also donated the floral arrangements). This Cubit-Swoyer and Lauren Walsh dedicated group secured underwriters, sponsors, Information Desk — Doug Endicott donors and auction items while ensuring that everyone had a wonderful evening. In closing, please accept my personal thanks for allowing me to serve as President of the Friends Following two Irish ballads sung by harpist, of The Sarasota Ballet. It has been an honor and a Olivia Swaan, a bidding war ensued for the top privilege. three items in the Silent Auction. Pat Golemme offered a sunset champagne cruise on a private From the Desk of the Special Events yacht that was successfully won by Laurie Coordinator Fitch! For the second year in a row, Jim Long Donna Maytham 941-351-5361 outbid everyone for a private dinner for eight [email protected] donated by Jeremy Hammond-Chambers of Innovative Dining. Special Event — Love in Bloom Jane Sheridan After being told how popular the brunch at his February 13th was a magical night for the Friends house had been in the past, Ballet Master & of The Sarasota Ballet. Michael’s Wine Cellar was Repetiteur, James Jordan, generously offered transformed into a romantic wonderland with to host two brunches. Demand still outstripped beautiful flowers, candlelight and a harpist availability. Hillary Steele/Pat Golemme, as playing background music. With tables scattered well as Pat Anderson/Sandra Miranda and around the room, approximately 100 attendees their guests will be brunching with James! had the opportunity to mix, mingle and enjoy the delicious appetizers and libations. Love in Bloom was made possible by the support of the following: Director Iain Webb, along with staff members including Christopher Hird, James Jordan, Marjorie Floyd, Ed Levesque, Anna Underwriters — Donna Maytham, Caroline Passalaqua, Ngoc Phan, Barbara Epperson Amory (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate and others, chatted with attendees. People were Long Boat Key) and Marilyn Sellman excited to have the chance to talk with many of the dancers who were able to attend including Sponsors — Barbara Jacob and Laurie Fitch Ricky Rhodes, Victoria Hulland, Ricki Bertoni, Lucas Erni, Jamie Carter, Asia Patrons — Peggy Abt, Donna Cubit-Swoyer, Fred Bui, Madysen Felber and Daniel Pratt, to & Linda Doery, Patricia Golemme and Richard & name a few. Helen March Such events provide Friends with the opportunity to learn more about The Company. Iain and the Other Silent Auction Donors - Peggy Abt, MoZaic dancers shared stories about working with the Restaurant, Meliss Swenson, Charlotte Hedge, legendary Sir Anthony Dowell in preparing for Andrea Mihalffy, Jola Bremmer, Evoke Studio, The Dream. Their enthusiasm was infectious, Peterbrook Chocolates (Karen Andrews), Pave leaving those who were fortunate enough to be a Chocolatier (Dabe Gadah), Manatee Players part of the conversation even more excited to see (Rick Kirby), Salon 41 (Jim Reese), Virginia the performance. Tashian and Donna Maytham 2 We would also like to thank the many volunteers Jennings, for example, will email suggested casts who assisted with greeting people, the Silent since she is also quite familiar with The Auction and checkout. The success of Love in Company. Final decisions about the dancers will Bloom was very much a team effort. With the be made when she arrives for final rehearsals. financial support, donations in-kind, ticket sales and silent auction proceeds, along with There are at least two and sometimes three casts, everyone’s hard work, we were able to raise depending upon the ballet. Having the $10,000 to support The Sarasota Ballet. opportunity to learn a role, whether or not it is immediately danced, helps the individual develop Showcase Luncheons skills and technique. Jane Sheridan Margaret discussed the particular challenges of 15 January 2018 performing in multiple venues. A week after beginning rehearsals for the triple bill, The Friends’ new year got off to a great start Metropolitan, there were already studio when Assistant Director & Repetiteur, rehearsals for John Ringling’s Circus Margaret Barbieri, was interviewed by Nutcracker. In addition, the male/female Marjorie Floyd. If we recapped Margaret’s casting for Troy Games and Valsinhas added career — even just the highlights, there would be to the complexity of rehearsing and performing. no room for what she said! So, we’ll focus on a few key points she shared with the audience of Another example relates to The Dream. It was more than 100 guests. necessary to initially stage the ballet in September, even though it would be performed in She discussed the difference between her March. Sir Anthony Dowell, upon whom the responsibilities as the Assistant Director versus role of Oberon was choreographed by Sir Repetiteur. A repetiteur is responsible for Frederick Ashton, was only available for a ensuring that the steps accurately reflect the week in February. choreographer’s intent. For example, Sandra Jennings from the Balanchine Trust allowed With staging well in hand, he came to Sarasota Margaret and Ballet Master, Pavel Fomin, to for a week to oversee final rehearsals. Margaret initially rehearse Mr. Balanchine’s choreography. noted that throughout the year, the dancers were Ms. Jennings would then supervise final essentially learning three or four ballets at the rehearsals — ensuring that the final product same time. adheres to the Trust’s standards. The luncheon attendees were enthusiastic in As Assistant Director, Margaret is responsible for their response to her remarks. We all left with a the overall staging. It is her job to check deeper understanding of what it takes for The everything before performances. It was quite Sarasota Ballet to stage the incredible fascinating to note that she considers lighting to performances we’re privileged to see each be the most important element in the final Season.