Go ‘On Pointe’ with ARBallet

By: centraljersey.com
American Repertory Ballet (ARB) is reinventing the community’s inside access to the dance world through a free monthly enrichment series entitled "On Pointe." Held at Princeton Ballet School’s studios at 301 N. Harrison Street, Princeton, ARB brings guest speakers, lecture demonstrations, company performance previews and panel discussions to seasoned dance enthusiasts and new students alike.
This month’s "On Pointe," to be held March 25 at 4 p.m., is called "Dancing Your Way Into College," and aims to aid students and their parents who are about to embark on the college admissions process. Panelists will include Robin Moscato, director of Financial Aid at Princeton University; Tova Meyer, assistant director of Admissions at Princeton University, and Molly Dunne, associate director of College Counseling at The Lawrenceville School.
The free panel is open to the public and will help students and their parents learn how schools consider dance training and other talents in the application process; understand different avenues and options for dancing in college; and navigate the financial aid process.
ARB launched the "On Pointe" series in October as part of the organization’s larger strategy to make ballet more accessible to the community. Through the "On Pointe" series, company blogs, online resources, and other "Access and Enrichment" initiatives, ARB aims to build dance enthusiasts and nurture appreciation for the art form as a whole.
Past "On Pointe" events have packed the school’s largest studio with students, parents and community members, and have included a "Meet the Company" session; a "Behind-the-Scenes look at the new Nutcracker’s wardrobe and sets"; a lecture/demonstration about Twyla Tharp’s choreography, and sneak peeks and discussions about the company’s new choreography.
Upcoming "On Pointe" events will feature College of New Jersey professor Michael Robertson, who will give a lecture on Philip Jerry’s ballet adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s "Our Town," and Jonathan Benjamin, who will give an in-depth look into the music of "Jelly Roll" Morton, whose compositions were the inspiration for Twyla Tharp’s "Eight Jelly Rolls." The company will premiere the new piece at the Victoria J. Mastrobuono Theatre in New Brunswick May 21 and 22.
For more information on ARB’s upcoming season, please visit www.arballet.org.