Shame on LA Opera!
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Apparently to be taken seriously as a professional dancer in LA you need to be able to ice skate and/or rollerblade on top of your refined dancing abilities. I came across an audition notice for the LA Opera’s upcoming production of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. Initially I was thrilled because LA Opera doesn’t post auditions for dancers too often and because the audition wasn’t until tomorrow, I could still make it! My excitement waned quickly though, in fact I couldn't even believe my eyes once I scanned through the rest of the text on the page, which read: “Dancers must be able to ICE SKATE/ROLLERBLADE.” My eyes bled as I finished reading and my heart sank.

What’s happening to the performing arts in Los Angeles? No, Really?! What's happening? This is an opera. Eugene Onegin was written by the great Russian author Alexander Pushkin depicting Russian aristocracy during the 19th century. This particular opera is a classical work with excerpts that call for professionally trained dancers, not Disney on Ice. This is a total degradation of the performing arts and classical works like Eugene Onegin. Not to mention, what sane professional dancer would jeopardize his or her livelihood by strapping on a pair of rollerblades?! Requesting professional dancers to bring rollerblades to an audition and skate around the stage for a work by the coveted Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky is utter humiliation. Dancers are dancers, acrobats are acrobats, and skaters are skaters. Interchanging these categories with such ease dismisses the years of training and professional experience accomplished by performing artists. My family and I were planning on attending this production, but not anymore. SHAME on LA OPERA!

 

ACTUAL AUDITION NOTICE FROM LA OPERA'S WEBSITE (no longer on the site becuase the audition was June 6, 2011)

*** I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS.***

Tags: ballet dance philosophy Los Angeles reviews and critiques
 

Comments

 
0 #7 RE: Shame on LA Opera! — susy 2011-06-09 19:47
Thank you for your feedback Diane. I am familiar with the story and the setting of the opera. But, as I said in the post, the main point of concern was the fact that the audition called for professional dancers to bring roller blades/skates to also showcase these abilities. This in my professional opinion, is absurd. What's next, asking dancers to hang from a tree from their nose?
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0 #6 VP of Marketing/Communications — Diane @ LA Opera 2011-06-09 17:07
Hello Suzy. We are sorry you are not able to join us, but just to be clear, the ice skating element is not a gimmick; it is a depiction of the setting. “Onegin” is set near St. Petersburg, where ice skating is a common sport. Opera is a very multifaceted art form. We really try to tell the story and use as many different elements as we can to capture it. In other words, we love dancers and include them wherever we can, and we add other elements too. We hope you join us next time.
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0 #5 RE: Shame on LA Opera! — jc 2011-06-08 07:06
kidding . . :lol:
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0 #4 RE: Shame on LA Opera! — susy 2011-06-06 16:43
JC, you are funny! Ha. But I must respectfully disagree. ;-)
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0 #3 RE: Shame on LA Opera! — jc 2011-06-06 16:11
Rollerblades and ice skates ! Nice! I think maybe that l.a. opera is trying to get a younger audience. , like 4-11 year olds. :-*
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0 #2 RE: Shame on LA Opera! — susy 2011-06-06 15:41
Hi Anna! Thank you for your feedback. Yes, I agree with you that the Opera deserves to be picky. My point is that no where in this production is it appropriate to have dancers (or anyone for that matter) in roller blades. The call is specifically for dancers who skate which is absurd. Dancers usually don't skate around b/c their limbs are their livelihood.
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0 #1 RE: Shame on LA Opera! — Anna 2011-06-06 07:31
Who can't rollerblade? The ice skating might be very minimal and basic. Maybe you should give it a shot, take the audition anyway. LA Opera deserves the right to be picky. If you can't do it, then another person might be able to. You might be fabulous doing anything else and you're probably a very fine ballet dancer. There are many opportunities!
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