[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSUKfk-6vhQ]
I wanted to report of an interesting collaboration that has taken place between Big Boi (a member of the rap duo, OutKast) and the Atlanta Ballet. Titled “Big”, the performance seemed to live up to its name in spectacle. Read a review, here. And, it seems that Atlanta Ballet is hoping that the attention received in the wake of the endeavor will have a big effect on the rejuvenation of their company, ballet as a relevant art form, and in bringing ballet to a wider audience.
This is certainly not the first time that dance companies have sought to juxtaposition two art forms that seem vastly different from one another, or update ballet with current musical trends. However, I thought the notion could be just the creative spark that some of you out there are looking for. Perhaps you’d like to join your advanced hip-hop and ballet classes for an instant crowd-pleaser at this year’s performance. Or if this has been overdone in your area, maybe there are new ways to bring ballet into the 21st century that are yet to be discovered!
Share your ideas!
Nichelle Suzanne is a writer specializing in dance and online content. She is also a dance instructor with over 20 years experience teaching in dance studios, community programs, and colleges. She began Dance Advantage in 2008, equipped with a passion for movement education and an intuitive sense that a blog could bring dancers together. As a Houston-based dance writer, Nichelle covers dance performance for Dance Source Houston, Arts+Culture Texas, and other publications. She is a leader in social media within the dance community and has presented on blogging for dance organizations, including Dance/USA. Nichelle provides web consulting and writing services for dancers, dance schools and studios, and those beyond the dance world. Read Nichelle’s posts.
