Russell Janzen bemoans the loss of the physical and emotional intimacy of live dance performance. Video and socially distanced dancing fail to connect.
When the music begins, we start to dance. It’s early April, and for the first time in 13 months I’m rehearsing with a partner in the New York City Ballet studios. Ashley Bouder and I bump into each other as we dance side by side. After more than a year of dancing on our own we’re not used to this sort of closeness.
We’re working on the first moments of George Balanchine’s “Duo Concertant” to prerecorded music on my iPhone, while our repertory director Zooms in, her adorable daughter bouncing on her lap. Ashley and I have been tested for Covid twice and we both wear masks. It is a far cry from work as we have known it... Keep reading on The New York Times.
When the music begins, we start to dance. It’s early April, and for the first time in 13 months I’m rehearsing with a partner in the New York City Ballet studios. Ashley Bouder and I bump into each other as we dance side by side. After more than a year of dancing on our own we’re not used to this sort of closeness.
We’re working on the first moments of George Balanchine’s “Duo Concertant” to prerecorded music on my iPhone, while our repertory director Zooms in, her adorable daughter bouncing on her lap. Ashley and I have been tested for Covid twice and we both wear masks. It is a far cry from work as we have known it... Keep reading on The New York Times.