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Conversations on Dance
(497) American Ballet Theatre's Summer Season with Susan Jaffe
Today on the Conversations on Dance podcast we are joined by Susan Jaffe, Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre. Susan reflects on ABT’s Spring Season, the challenges of the Met season shifting later into summer, and the company exceeding attendance goals while continuing strong ticket sales. She talk about how Executive Director Barry Hughson's arrival has strengthened fundraising and operations, freeing her to focus on artistic work. She previews the upcoming Met lineup—two weeks of Swan Lake, Cranko’s Onegin, and 10 performances of Don Quixote with seven Kitri/Basilio casts. Jaffe details her Don Quixote refresh: keeping the 1978 production, tightening storytelling and pacing, making music cuts, adjusting mime and choreography, and more. See ABT at the Met June 17 - July 18th. Tickets available at ABT.org: https://www.abt.org/performances/summer-season/
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Introduction: Conversations on Dance with Susan Jaffe
Join hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden on the latest episode of the "Conversations on Dance" podcast as they engage with Susan Jaffe, the esteemed artistic director of American Ballet Theatre (ABT). They dive into the intricacies of ABT’s performances, the innovations under Jaffe's leadership, and the exciting future of ballet.
Reflections on the Spring Season
Susan Jaffe begins by reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of ABT’s spring season. Originally set for mid-April at the Metropolitan Opera House, a shift pushed performances into summer, prompting concerns about audience engagement. Despite these challenges, ABT exceeded attendance expectations, experiencing what Susan coined as “Timothée Chalamet moments” – standing ovations each night. With the support of Executive Director Barry Hughson, the company navigated these changes with finesse, focusing on enriching its artistic offerings while maintaining strong ticket sales.
Previewing the Met Season: New Approaches and Old Favorites
As the discussion shifts to upcoming performances at the Metropolitan Opera House, Susan announces a packed lineup featuring two weeks of "Swan Lake", George Cranko’s emotionally rich "Onegin", and a refreshed "Don Quixote" (Don Q). The conversation reveals how adjustments to the season were strategically planned to cater to both New York residents and the influx of summer tourists.
Don Quixote Gets a Refresh
The process behind updating "Don Quixote" was intricate, with Susan focusing on tightening storytelling, enhancing choreography, and making selective cuts to maintain audience engagement. Her collaboration with renowned figures such as Susan Jones and forthcoming music director David LaMarche highlights a commitment to retaining the piece’s essence while injecting fresh energy.
Conclusion: An Invitation to Experience the Magic
The episode closes with an invitation from Susan Jaffe for audiences to experience the magic of ABT’s upcoming performances. With refreshed classics and bold new directions, each ballet is crafted to captivate and inspire. Whether a longtime fan or a newcomer, ABT’s vibrant season promises unforgettable experiences for all.
Join the Conversation
Listen to the full episode for a detailed exploration of ABT’s artistic journey. Subscribe to "Conversations on Dance" for more illuminating discussions on ballet's vibrant tapestry. Visit conversationsondancepod.com for more information and to explore sponsorship opportunities.
Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement.
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(512) Choreographer Alysa Pires on her new work for New York City Ballet
58:04|Access upcoming BONUS episodes plus listen ad-free when you join our Patreon page. Membership starts as low as $3 a month and every dollar helps support the future of the podcast. Thank you for your support. https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondanceToday on Conversations on Dance, hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome choreographer Alysa Pires, who's new work for New York City Ballet will be premiering October 1 as a part of NYCB's fashion gala. Alysa who shares how she gravitated to dance as a child, discovered contemporary dance in high school, and began choreographing early. She discusses mentorship at Toronto Metropolitan University and explains her creative process: coming into ballet settings highly prepared with music charts and organizational planning while developing steps collaboratively in the studio. Byers describes managing imposter syndrome, the people-focused side of choreographing, and a career turning point when the National Ballet of Canada opened its choreographic workshop to outside artists, leading to bigger opportunities. She previews her second NYCB commission, inspired by motherhood, protection, and sacrifice. Tickets and more information: https://www.nycballet.com/season-and-tickets/fall-2026/fall-fashion-gala00:00 Support on Patreon00:40 Meet the Hosts01:29 Early Dance Roots03:14 Finding Contemporary Path06:34 Choreography Takes Hold09:28 Mentors and Ballet Return11:46 Prepping a New Work14:25 Music Charts and Logistics18:57 Discovery in the Studio20:55 Leading the Room24:37 Breakthrough Commissions28:53 City Ballet Nerves30:10 Family Sacrifice Balance31:48 Who Gets Choreography36:06 Second Commission Process37:49 Casting For Collaboration43:59 NYCB commission Inspiration48:19 Fashion And Motherhood53:51 Title And Bird Imagery55:49 Premiere Dates And Runs56:57 Thanks And CreditsInterested in signing up? Enjoy one month access to our Patreon for free: CLICK HERE.(511) James Whiteside announces retirement from American Ballet Theatre and tells us what's next
29:12|Access upcoming BONUS episodes plus listen ad-free when you join our Patreon page. Membership starts as low as $3 a month and every dollar helps support the future of the podcast. Thank you for your support. https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondanceHosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome American Ballet Theatre principal dancer James Whiteside, who announces he will retire from the ABT stage on June 30, 2027, dancing Giselle with Isabella Boylston at the Metropolitan Opera House.Whiteside explains the decision felt simple after 25 professional years, post-COVID recovery and a knee injury, and seeing peers retire, while emphasizing he values new colleagues and feels his body is ready. He reflects on industry changes, his growth as a dancer, and his early social media trailblazing that supported queerness in ballet and created income beyond the company, though he’s largely stepping away from being an influencer.He discusses future plans in choreography and writing, including a new Indiana University work inspired by George Platt Lynes and Debussy titled Stone Blossom, upcoming premieres, a restaging of City of Women, and his ABT fall performances including Ballet Imperial, Petal, and Petite Mort, plus final California Nutcracker shows.(510) Summer recap and a COD restructure with Michael and Rebecca
35:41|Access upcoming BONUS episodes plus listen ad-free when you join our Patreon page. Membership starts as low as $3 a month and every dollar helps support the future of the podcast. Thank you for your support. https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondanceInterested in signing up? Enjoy one month access to our Patreon for free: CLICK HERE.Conversations on Dance: Patreon Updates, Vail Highlights, and Michael’s First Balanchine StagingRebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden discuss a format shift for Conversations on Dance, encouraging listeners to support the podcast via Patreon to help sustain production while keeping three free episodes per month and the full back catalog free. They outline tiers—Emerald ($3, ad-free episodes), Ruby ($8, ad-free plus one monthly bonus episode), and Diamond ($15, same as Ruby)—and offer a free one-month trial link in the show notes. They recap their 10th year at the Vail Dance Festival, highlighting guests including Alexei Ratmansky, Caroline Shaw, Hermán Cornejo, and an episode with four pianists. Michael shares staging his first Balanchine ballet, Allegro Brillante, at Nashville Ballet, and previews upcoming work at Indiana University, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and Hamburg Ballet. They also share details on Miami City Ballet’s Young Patron Society (ages 26–45) and its upcoming events.00:00 Iconic Guests Teaser01:01 Patreon Format Change02:00 Tiers and Bonus Episodes04:06 Why Support Matters05:34 Social Media and New Listeners08:05 Vail Festival Highlights11:21 Interviewing Without Cards13:31 Staging Balanchine Debut17:39 Working With Familiar Dancers25:18 Upcoming Projects Tour27:12 Jeanette Delgado Appreciation31:03 Miami City Ballet Young Patrons34:12 Final Patreon Reminder35:05 Show Credits and Outro(509) Pianists of Vail Dance Festival: Michael Scales, Derek Wang, Tony Yun, Joel Wenhardt
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