NBT NEWSLETTER | HOLIDAY 2011
IN THIS ISSUE:
Board Greeting
Napoles’ Fausto
Meet NBT Dancer, Annabelle Henry
NBT’s Fifth Anniversary
New Board Member
Holiday Greetings from NBT!
The company would like to extend holiday greetings and best wishes to all of our friends and donors, and update everyone on our 2012 Season and fundraising efforts.
Board of Directors Message:
We would like to offer a big thank you to everyone who donated to us after our latest letter campaign. Thanks to you we are close to reaching our goal for the production of Napoles’ Fausto.
Fausto is slated for performances in September 2012 and it will be our largest production to date. It is going to take a lot of effort to put this on, but it will be well worth it, gaining recognition for the company and expanding the audience.
Because the year is coming to a close, we have opted to do one last push for Fausto fundraising as donations made this month can be deducted from your 2011 taxes (Tax ID 51-0627853). We have also adopted a new donor tier program consisting of the following levels:
Principal Circle: $5000+ Benefits include: Invitation to private dress rehearsal with wine and refreshments (at the Cowell Theater), exclusive post-show backstage reception with the company, invitation to closed studio rehearsals, up to 6 complimentary tickets (any section, any show), full-page ad in program, ad space on website, recognition on website and program.
Soloist Circle: $1000-$5000 Benefits include: Invitation to closed studio rehearsals, 4 complimentary tickets (any section, any show), half-page ad in program, ad space on website, recognition on website and program.
Corps Circle: $500-$1000 Benefits include: Two complimentary tickets, quarter-page ad in program, ad space on website, recognition on website, recognition in program.
Class Circle: $100-$500 Benefits include: One complimentary ticket, ad space on website, recognition on website, recognition in program.
Barre Circle: up to $100 Benefits include: Recognition on website, recognition in program.
To donate today, please visit napolesballet.org or send check to NBT: PO Box 591051, SF 94159. We are excited for the upcoming year and thrilled to continue this project.
A heartfelt thank you to every one of you,
NBT Board of Directors
Luis Napoles’ Fausto set for Fall Next Year
In 2012 the company shall embark on its biggest project to date, presenting the full-length, original ballet, Fausto, based on J.W. Von Goethe’s Faust.
Luis wants this ballet to have a bit of everything from stunning costumes to dramatic sets, live drummers, plus elements of theater and even a bit of comedy. He is planning an awe-inspiring and enchanting show, like something you’d see from Cirque de Soleil.
Luis also plans to incorporate
some of his advanced students into the show. These talented and award-winning teenagers will help fill the stage and this will give them a chance to perform in a professional environment.
For the company, this is an optimum time to complete the work. Luis began working on the piece one year ago and is still filled with creative momentum for it. NBT presented scenes from the piece in the SF and Oakland programs last Spring, and audiences expressed enthusiasm about the completed work.
Fausto will run one weekend only (September 22 & 23) at the Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. Check napolesballet.org for more information.
Meet NBT Dancer Annabelle Henry
with a really honest quality. I always wanted to be like that. Another idol is Sylvie Guillem, who is a supremely awesome dancer, with her amazing turnout and extension, incredible feet and long body and she can be both very intense and other times playful. I saw her perform a modern piece once, and she was incredible. I can’t even describe her artistry, you’d have to see it.
What inspired you to be a dancer?
I know I wanted to be a dancer when I was little but I’m not sure where the inspiration came from. I never remember seeing professional dance. I just knew I wanted to be a dancer on Broadway.
What is your most memorable moment onstage?
I have two... Every now and then there’s a devastating thing that can happen to dancers – when all of a sudden you’re onstage and you just blank out on the choreography and forget what you’re doing. It’s a terrible deer-in-the-headlights feeling. This happened to me once doing NBT’s Retazos. My partner Justin and I were in the middle of a lift where both my feet are in the air and he’s turning me around in circles. In the middle of this turning I realized that I had no idea what I was supposed to do once my feet hit the floor! So when he set me down I just sort of went limp and let him maneuver me into the steps I was supposed to do. He totally saved me that night and we still laugh about it to this day.
Another one was my first night performing with the San Francisco Opera. We were doing Tannhauser and in the last scene some of us had to exit through trap doors in the floor. We did this in very dramatic fashion, like we were being swallowed by the earth. This happened with a chaotic stage full of world-class opera singers, with that huge orchestra playing, in that amazing theater – oh and it was raining onstage, literally. It was incredible and the curtain call that night actually brought tears to my eyes.
What is your favorite NBT ballet to dance?
Probably Retazos. I love the really dramatic third section where I get thrown around and dropped on the floor. It’s fun to do. But I also love No More Strangers, even though it is so physically and emotionally demanding. The drama of the movement with that music and the relationship between the two characters makes it really thrilling to perform. It gives me chills sometimes.
Annabelle began working with Luis Napoles when he started the company in 2007. Since then he has created numerous works on her and featured her as a soloist. Annabelle became NBT’s general manager in 2008 and since then she has helped Luis build the company up from its humble beginnings.
Who are your dance idols?
Margot Fonteyn, there was just something about her. She made you want to watch her – she made you want to know her, actually. She had such moving stage presence but
Annabelle photographed by Weiferd Watts
Napoles Ballet's
Fifth Anniversary
Napoles Ballet is thrilled to announce that 2012 will mark five years since the company's incorporation. “After five years of building this company up we are right where we want to be. Anyone who is able to present work in this city, and in this economy, should feel thankful,” says Luis Napoles. “We are so glad to be where we are today, putting on our biggest production yet and in a really great San Francisco venue, the Cowell Theater at Fort Mason.”
NBT started in a small studio in Fairfield with just four dancers and no money. Since then the company has produced ten original ballets (including 5 premiers), been featured guest artists with numerous ballet schools throughout California, developed a community outreach program, and participated in five dance festivals, including the prestigious International Ballet Festival of Miami. This upcoming production of Fausto will be the third production produced fully by NBT.
Poster from NBT's first studio gala. 2008.
New Board Member
The Napoles Ballet Board of Directors welcomes Joyce Bautovich. The NBT Board now consists of: Luis Napoles (President), Thomas Henry (Chairman), Dan Laskoski (Vice Chair), Patricia O’Brien (Secretary), Peggy Henry (Treasurer), Linda Daube (Director), and Joyce Bautovich (Director).
Please contact NBT at napolesballet@comcast.net if you have interest in becoming a board member or volunteering for Napoles Ballet.
Heine, Heinrich: Der Doktor Faust.1851
What do you like to do besides dancing?
When I’m not dancing or working I love just being a mom. My daughter Mariana is 10 months old now and I still can’t get over how hilarious and cute she is. She surprises me all the time when we teach her things and she learns so fast. Motherhood is awesome – I had no idea how much fun it would be!
What is your advice for aspiring professionals?
Be realistic about your strengths and know your limitations. Also, try to find a company or choreographer who fits your style and exploits your strengths. Until you find that, do as much dancing as you can. The more people you know, the better chance you have of landing a good job. The dance world is small and once you get in there, opportunities will start popping up.
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