Difference between revisions of "The Staatsballett Berlin"

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[[File:Staatsballett Berlin 2018.jpg|thumb]]
 
[[File:Staatsballett Berlin 2018.jpg|thumb]]
'''The Staatsballett Berlin''' (german) or The Berlin State Ballet is the principal ballet company in the German capital of Berlin. It was created in 2004 through a merger of the separate ballet companies of the city's three opera houses at a time when the city was going through a financial crisis. It is one of the largest ballet companies in Western Europe with approximately 90 dancers.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_State_Ballet The Berlin State Ballet]. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref>
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'''The Staatsballett Berlin''' (german), also known as The Berlin State Ballet is the principal ballet company in the German capital of Berlin. It was formed in 2004 as a result of a merger of the city's three opera houses' separate ballet companies at a period when the city was facing financial difficulties. With about 90 dancers, it is one of the biggest ballet companies in Western Europe.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_State_Ballet The Berlin State Ballet]. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref>
  
The Berlin State Ballet inaugural general and artistic director, dancer and choreographer Vladimir Malakhov, was a director of the ballet of the Berlin Opera before the companies merged to form the Berlin State Ballet. He led the company for ten years, creating a mixed repertoire of classical titles and contemporary choreography. A star dancer himself, Malakhov was not only managing, but also performing with the company.
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Dancer and choreographer Vladimir Malakhov, the Berlin State Ballet's first general and artistic director, was a director of the ballet at the Berlin Opera until the two companies combined to form the Berlin State Ballet. He was the company's director for ten years, and during that period he established a blended repertoire of classical and contemporary choreography. Malakhov, a star dancer himself, was not only in charge, but still performing.
  
After Malakhov, from the 2014/2015 season, renowned choreography and ballet director Nacho Duato took over as Artistic Director of the Staatsballett Berlin. Not only does he bring with him a wealth of experience, but he will also be integrating his own much admired choreographies into the work of the company.<ref>[https://www.visitberlin.de/en/staatsballett-berlin Visit Berlin]. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref>
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After Malakhov, Nacho Duato, a renowned choreographer and ballet director, took over as Artistic Director of the Staatsballett Berlin in the 2014/2015 season. He not only brings a wealth of expertise, but he will also be incorporating his own well regarded choreographies into the company's work.<ref>[https://www.visitberlin.de/en/staatsballett-berlin Visit Berlin]. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref>
  
As Artistic Director, Nacho Duato is succeeding the Russian star dancer Vladimir Malakhov, as famous for his stage charisma as for his gravity-defying leaps which leave audiences gasping in amazement. Malakhov bid the company farewell in June 2014 with two final performances, in Caravaggio and Tschaikowsky. —Laura Cappelle.<ref>[https://www.pointemagazine.com/call-board-2412800126.html Malakhov Out, Duato In at Staatsballett], Pointe Magazine, 29 November 2001. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref>
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Nacho Duato takes over as Artistic Director from Russian star dancer Vladimir Malakhov, who is known for his stage charm as well as his gravity-defying leaps that leave crowds gasping in awe. Malakhov said his goodbyes to the company with two final performances in Caravaggio and Tschaikowsky in June 2014.<ref>[https://www.pointemagazine.com/call-board-2412800126.html Malakhov Out, Duato In at Staatsballett], Pointe Magazine, 29 November 2001. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref>
  
After Nacho Duato, Johannes Öhman appointed as new artistic director in September 2016. But not too long after being appointed, at January 2020 Johannes Öhman announced that he's going to leave the Berlin State Ballet in January 2021 and moved to Swedish contemporary dance presenter Dansens Hus.<ref>Escoyne, Courtney. [https://www.staatsballett-berlin.de/en/presse/mitteilungen/27-01-2020/136 Sasha Waltz and Johannes Öhman to Leave Staatsballett Berlin], Dance Magazine, 22 January 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref> <ref>[https://www.staatsballett-berlin.de/en/presse/mitteilungen/27-01-2020/136 STATEMENTS BY JOHANNES ÖHMAN AND SASHA WALTZ ON THE TERMINATION OF THE DIRECTORSHIP OF THE STAATSBALLETT BERLIN], staatsballett-berlin.de, 27 January 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref> After Johannes Öhman announced his left the company now under the provisional direction of Dr. Christiane Theobald previously co-artistic director.
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In September 2016, Johannes Öhman was announced as the new artistic director, succeeding Nacho Duato. But, not long after his appointment, Johannes Öhman announced that he will be leaving the Berlin State Ballet in January 2021 and joining Dansens Hus, a Swedish contemporary dance organization.<ref>Escoyne, Courtney. [https://www.staatsballett-berlin.de/en/presse/mitteilungen/27-01-2020/136 Sasha Waltz and Johannes Öhman to Leave Staatsballett Berlin], Dance Magazine, 22 January 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref> <ref>[https://www.staatsballett-berlin.de/en/presse/mitteilungen/27-01-2020/136 STATEMENTS BY JOHANNES ÖHMAN AND SASHA WALTZ ON THE TERMINATION OF THE DIRECTORSHIP OF THE STAATSBALLETT BERLIN], staatsballett-berlin.de, 27 January 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref> Following Johannes Öhman's announcement of his departure, the company is currently under the interim leadership of Dr. Christiane Theobald, a former co-artistic director.
  
 
==Program==
 
==Program==
The company’s dancers present the entire range of the ballet repertoire. Naturally, such masterpieces of classical ballet as Giselle and Swan Lake are firm favourites – and with productions of Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker on offer as well, all of Tchaikovsky’s magnificent ballets can be seen on Berlin’s stages. But the programme also includes neo-classical and contemporary works, such as the triple bill Duato | Kylian | Naharin by Nacho Duato or Ghosts from 2014, inspired by Ibsen’s famous play of the same name.
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The dancers of the company perform the complete ballet repertoire. All of Tchaikovsky's glorious ballets can be seen on Berlin's stages, including such classics as Giselle and Swan Lake. With performances of Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker still on sale, many of Tchaikovsky's magnificent ballets can be seen on Berlin's stages. However, the program contains both neo-classical and contemporary productions, such as Nacho Duato's triple bill Duato | Kylian | Naharin or Ghosts, a 2014 production based on Ibsen's popular play of the same name.
  
 
[[File:Chloé Lopes Gomes.png|thumb|Chloé Lopes Gomes @pickledthoughtz]]
 
[[File:Chloé Lopes Gomes.png|thumb|Chloé Lopes Gomes @pickledthoughtz]]
 
[[File:Chloé Lopes Gomes 2.png|thumb|Chloé Lopes Gomes is the Staatsballett's first Black female dancer. @pickledthoughtz]]
 
[[File:Chloé Lopes Gomes 2.png|thumb|Chloé Lopes Gomes is the Staatsballett's first Black female dancer. @pickledthoughtz]]
 
==Racial Issue==
 
==Racial Issue==
As Staatsballett Berlin's Chloé Lopes Gomes shared the shameful and blatant discrimination she says she endured as a ballet dancer, being the only Black female dancer within the company when she joined at 2018. What struck a particularly painful chord with dancers of color around the world is Gomes' allegation of being asked to whiten her skin for Swan Lake. This practice of painting or powdering the skin white for classical full-length works is less a norm in the U.S., but still prevalent in European companies.<ref>Howard, Theresa Ruth.[https://www.dancemagazine.com/chloe-lopes-gomes-racism-2649520212.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1 What the Staatsballett Berlin Case Tells Us About the Power of Artistic Staff], Dance Magazine, 16 December 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref>
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As the first Black female dancer in the Staatsballett Berlin when she joined in 2018, Chloé Lopes Gomes shared the humiliating and brazen discrimination she claims she faced as a ballet dancer. Gomes' claim that she was forced to whiten her skin for Swan Lake reached an especially raw nerve with dancers of color all over the world. The tradition of painting or powdering the skin white for full-length classical works is less common in the United States, but it is still common in European companies.<ref>Howard, Theresa Ruth.[https://www.dancemagazine.com/chloe-lopes-gomes-racism-2649520212.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1 What the Staatsballett Berlin Case Tells Us About the Power of Artistic Staff], Dance Magazine, 16 December 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref>
  
She says the racism she faced at the company began at an audition, where she said a colleague told her about a racist remark a ballet instructor made. The instructor said Lopes Gomes is very good but the company shouldn't hire her because she is Black and Black girl in the corps de ballet is not very aesthetic. "She discriminated against me because of my skin color," said Lopes Gomes.
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She claims the bigotry she encountered at the company started at an audition, where a classmate informed her of a racial joke made by a ballet coach. According to the coach, Lopes Gomes is very talented, but the company does not employ her because she is black, and black girls in the corps de ballet are not especially desirable. "She treated me unfairly because of my skin color," Lopes Gomes said.
  
When Lopes Gomes got the job, she was dismayed to learn she would be under the instruction of that same ballet mistress who she said had made the racist remarks about hiring a Black dancer at her audition and the verbal abuse continued. She recalls a particular incident during preparations for a performance of "La Bayadère", the ballet mistress initially wouldn't give her a white veil like those given to the other dancers. "'I won't give it to you because this veil is white and you are Black,' and the ballet mistress started to laugh in my face, in front of my colleagues," Lopes Gomes said.
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When Lopes Gomes was offered the role, she was shocked to find that she would be taught by the same ballet mistress who, she said, had made racial comments about hiring a Black dancer at her interview, and the verbal harassment persisted.During the rehearsals for a production of "La Bayadère," she remembers the ballet mistress originally refusing to give her the white veil that the other dancers were given. "I won't give it to you because this veil is white and you are black," Lopes Gomes explained, "and the ballet mistress began to laugh in my face, in front of my colleagues."
  
Lopes Gomes said when she joined the company she was told that she wouldn't have to whiten her skin for a performance — a problematic practice that is not uncommon for classical ballets like "Swan Lake". According to Lopes Gomes, after Öhman left the company in January, the ballet mistress told her she would have to whiten her skin.  
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When Lopes Gomes first joined the group, she was told she wouldn't have to whiten her skin for a role, which is a controversial tradition in classical ballets like "Swan Lake." After Öhman left the company in January, the ballet mistress told her she would have to whiten her face, according to Lopes Gomes.  
  
Lopes Gomes said that after reporting the racist behavior she received in October, her contract with the ballet company would not be renewed when it ends in July 2021. "The official reason was that I don't keep the line in the corps de ballet, I'm not musical, and I'm not a good dancer.", Lopes Gomes said.<ref>Hosie, Rachel.[https://www.insider.com/black-ballerina-says-told-to-whiten-skin-swan-lake-2020-12 A Black ballerina says she was told to whiten her skin for 'Swan Lake' at a major German dance company], Insider, 15 December 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref>
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After revealing the discriminatory actions she witnessed in October, Lopes Gomes said her contract with the ballet company will not be extended when it expires in July 2021. "The official explanation was that I don't hold the line in the corps de ballet," Lopes Gomes explained. "I'm not artistic, and I'm not a good dancer."<ref>Hosie, Rachel.[https://www.insider.com/black-ballerina-says-told-to-whiten-skin-swan-lake-2020-12 A Black ballerina says she was told to whiten her skin for 'Swan Lake' at a major German dance company], Insider, 15 December 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref>
  
 
==Apology==
 
==Apology==
Through it's official statement post in the website Staatsballett Berlin said that any form of discrimination and racism in the company is unacceptable. Immediately after the accusations were brought to attention, Staatsballett Berlin started talks with a variety of organizations such as Themis, a trust center for victims of sexual harassment and violence, and Diversity Art Culture, a Berlin-based project management office for diversity development, the anti-discrimination officer of a Berlin-based theatre and the Senate Department for Culture. On top, Staatsballett Berlin will held mandatory workshops and seminars for all employees.
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Any level of discrimination or racism in the group is intolerable, according to a statement posted on the Staatsballett Berlin website. Themis, a confidence center for victims of sexual assault and abuse, and Diversity Art Culture, a Berlin-based project management office for diversity advancement, as well as the anti-discrimination officer of a Berlin-based theatre and the Senate Department for Culture, began discussions with Staatsballett Berlin shortly after the allegations were made public. Furthermore, all Staatsballett Berlin workers would be required to attend mandatory workshops and seminars.
  
In the statement Staatsballett Berlin also mentioned that they fully aware that the ballet profession has marginalized people of color throughout the history. In the future it is the company's duty to be a mirror to the society and will reflects it in all it's diversity.
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Staatsballett Berlin also mentioned in their declaration that they are well aware that the ballet practice has historically excluded people of color. In the future, it will be the company's responsibility to double as a mirror for humanity, reflecting it in all of it's diversity.
  
 
==External Link==
 
==External Link==

Revision as of 13:47, 14 March 2021

Staatsballett Berlin 2018.jpg

The Staatsballett Berlin (german), also known as The Berlin State Ballet is the principal ballet company in the German capital of Berlin. It was formed in 2004 as a result of a merger of the city's three opera houses' separate ballet companies at a period when the city was facing financial difficulties. With about 90 dancers, it is one of the biggest ballet companies in Western Europe.[1]

Dancer and choreographer Vladimir Malakhov, the Berlin State Ballet's first general and artistic director, was a director of the ballet at the Berlin Opera until the two companies combined to form the Berlin State Ballet. He was the company's director for ten years, and during that period he established a blended repertoire of classical and contemporary choreography. Malakhov, a star dancer himself, was not only in charge, but still performing.

After Malakhov, Nacho Duato, a renowned choreographer and ballet director, took over as Artistic Director of the Staatsballett Berlin in the 2014/2015 season. He not only brings a wealth of expertise, but he will also be incorporating his own well regarded choreographies into the company's work.[2]

Nacho Duato takes over as Artistic Director from Russian star dancer Vladimir Malakhov, who is known for his stage charm as well as his gravity-defying leaps that leave crowds gasping in awe. Malakhov said his goodbyes to the company with two final performances in Caravaggio and Tschaikowsky in June 2014.[3]

In September 2016, Johannes Öhman was announced as the new artistic director, succeeding Nacho Duato. But, not long after his appointment, Johannes Öhman announced that he will be leaving the Berlin State Ballet in January 2021 and joining Dansens Hus, a Swedish contemporary dance organization.[4] [5] Following Johannes Öhman's announcement of his departure, the company is currently under the interim leadership of Dr. Christiane Theobald, a former co-artistic director.

Program

The dancers of the company perform the complete ballet repertoire. All of Tchaikovsky's glorious ballets can be seen on Berlin's stages, including such classics as Giselle and Swan Lake. With performances of Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker still on sale, many of Tchaikovsky's magnificent ballets can be seen on Berlin's stages. However, the program contains both neo-classical and contemporary productions, such as Nacho Duato's triple bill Duato | Kylian | Naharin or Ghosts, a 2014 production based on Ibsen's popular play of the same name.

Chloé Lopes Gomes @pickledthoughtz
Chloé Lopes Gomes is the Staatsballett's first Black female dancer. @pickledthoughtz

Racial Issue

As the first Black female dancer in the Staatsballett Berlin when she joined in 2018, Chloé Lopes Gomes shared the humiliating and brazen discrimination she claims she faced as a ballet dancer. Gomes' claim that she was forced to whiten her skin for Swan Lake reached an especially raw nerve with dancers of color all over the world. The tradition of painting or powdering the skin white for full-length classical works is less common in the United States, but it is still common in European companies.[6]

She claims the bigotry she encountered at the company started at an audition, where a classmate informed her of a racial joke made by a ballet coach. According to the coach, Lopes Gomes is very talented, but the company does not employ her because she is black, and black girls in the corps de ballet are not especially desirable. "She treated me unfairly because of my skin color," Lopes Gomes said.

When Lopes Gomes was offered the role, she was shocked to find that she would be taught by the same ballet mistress who, she said, had made racial comments about hiring a Black dancer at her interview, and the verbal harassment persisted.During the rehearsals for a production of "La Bayadère," she remembers the ballet mistress originally refusing to give her the white veil that the other dancers were given. "I won't give it to you because this veil is white and you are black," Lopes Gomes explained, "and the ballet mistress began to laugh in my face, in front of my colleagues."

When Lopes Gomes first joined the group, she was told she wouldn't have to whiten her skin for a role, which is a controversial tradition in classical ballets like "Swan Lake." After Öhman left the company in January, the ballet mistress told her she would have to whiten her face, according to Lopes Gomes.

After revealing the discriminatory actions she witnessed in October, Lopes Gomes said her contract with the ballet company will not be extended when it expires in July 2021. "The official explanation was that I don't hold the line in the corps de ballet," Lopes Gomes explained. "I'm not artistic, and I'm not a good dancer."[7]

Apology

Any level of discrimination or racism in the group is intolerable, according to a statement posted on the Staatsballett Berlin website. Themis, a confidence center for victims of sexual assault and abuse, and Diversity Art Culture, a Berlin-based project management office for diversity advancement, as well as the anti-discrimination officer of a Berlin-based theatre and the Senate Department for Culture, began discussions with Staatsballett Berlin shortly after the allegations were made public. Furthermore, all Staatsballett Berlin workers would be required to attend mandatory workshops and seminars.

Staatsballett Berlin also mentioned in their declaration that they are well aware that the ballet practice has historically excluded people of color. In the future, it will be the company's responsibility to double as a mirror for humanity, reflecting it in all of it's diversity.

External Link

Read Staatsballett Berlin Official Statement: RACISM AT THE STAATSBALLETT BERLIN
Chloé Lopes Gomes profile

References

  1. The Berlin State Ballet. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  2. Visit Berlin. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  3. Malakhov Out, Duato In at Staatsballett, Pointe Magazine, 29 November 2001. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  4. Escoyne, Courtney. Sasha Waltz and Johannes Öhman to Leave Staatsballett Berlin, Dance Magazine, 22 January 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  5. STATEMENTS BY JOHANNES ÖHMAN AND SASHA WALTZ ON THE TERMINATION OF THE DIRECTORSHIP OF THE STAATSBALLETT BERLIN, staatsballett-berlin.de, 27 January 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  6. Howard, Theresa Ruth.What the Staatsballett Berlin Case Tells Us About the Power of Artistic Staff, Dance Magazine, 16 December 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  7. Hosie, Rachel.A Black ballerina says she was told to whiten her skin for 'Swan Lake' at a major German dance company, Insider, 15 December 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.