501. DANCE ON FILM: IN BALANCHINE'S CLASSROOM

Peter Josyph

Connie Hochman's 2021 documentary is based on 100 interviews with people who worked with choreographer, teacher and director George Balanchine when he was the galvanizing force behind New York City Ballet. Featuring a range of perspectives on what it was like to be taught, rehearsed, and profoundly inspired by one of the great masters of dance in the 20th century, the film includes never-before-seen footage of Balanchine conducting classes and rehearsals. Comments include: "It's like I was a pupil of Einstein"; "It was the privilege of a lifetime"; "He was some kind of mad scientist." Praising the film in the New York Times, Teo Bugbee said: "In mathematics there was Newton, in psychology there was Freud, and in American ballet George Balanchine was a foundational genius. He revolutionized the style of dance that was performed in the United States."

1-3:30 p.m.                                                                                                  1 Session

Thursday, October 9                                                                                    Fee:  $40

ABOUT THE LECTURER

Peter Josyph is an actor, a painter, a photographer, an award-winning filmmaker, and he has published 13 books.