Ballet Oscars

Let us bathe in the most glamourous night of the ballet world…

When you think of flashing lights, gorgeous designer gowns, and a red carpet, what comes to mind?  For me, it is the glitz and glamour of an award show.  More specifically the most prestigious award show, the Oscars. The ballet world has their own version of the Oscars and they just happened last weekend at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow on June 5^thand 6^th.

In case you are not up to date with your ballet news, this affair is a two day event that begins on night one, with the awards ceremony and performances by certain nominees, followed by celebratory tribute performances the second evening. Artists always try to top themselves, and dancers are no exception to the rule. Therefore, one night is not enough for the most prestigious awards show, which honors the most notable choreography, choreographers, composers, designers and dancers every year. Other award platforms, like the Youth American Grand Prix competition circuit, also have more than one night of performances to celebrate their special occasions.   

During the first night of the Benois de la Danse, the awards were handed out to the winners of each category. The second evening followed up with a tribute to choreographer Marius Petipa. This year’s laureates (winners) were chosen by a panel of judges comprised of former award winners, cherished choreographers, ballet stars, and leaders of the most prominent companies all over the globe. The 2018 panel included Juri Grigorovich (President of the jury), Eleonora Abbaganto, Samuel Wuersten, Nicolas Le Riche, David Mccallister, Tamara Rojo, Boris Eifman, and Nora Esteves. Just like the Oscars, it is a privilege just to be nominated, but there can only be one winner for each category. The categories are lifetime achievement, choreographer, female dancer, male dancer, composer, and designer.    

The lifetime achievement award was given to Natalia Makarova. No surprise here, Makarova defected from Russia during the Soviet era to pursue ballet stardom in the United States. She has already received a Kennedy Center Honor, which is an extremely high status symbol to win in the United States. Maybe the Russians delayed awarding her this prestigious honor because of her defection so long ago? Best choreographer was awarded to Deborah Colker for her piece “Dog Without Feathers,” with her namesake company and Yuri Possokhov for his piece “Nureyev,” with the Bolshoi Ballet. Sae Eun Park was awarded best female dancer because of her interpretation of the leading part in George Balanchine’s Diamonds, with Paris Opera Ballet. Both Vladislav Lantratov and Isaac Hernandez were awarded best male dancer. Vladislav for his interpretation of Nureyev with the Bolshoi Ballet and Isaac for his dancing in both Don Quixote and La Sylphide.  Ilya Demutsky was chosen as best composer and Kirill Serebrennikov for best designer, both for their work with Nureyev. 

Nureyev is the clear winner of the Benois de la Danse this year. Due to the controversial nature of the story, it is surprising the ballet made it to the stage in the first place. One of the highlights reported from the event was that Maria Kotchetkova performed the first evening in an original Chloé design during a new world premiere by David Dawson. Kotchetkova, known for her crazy street style, never ceases to entertain us with her new and daring fashion choices. 

All in all, this year's awards proved to be all the glitz and glamour that everybody expected. Hopefully 2018-19 brings even more drama and controversy to the stage.  I know I personally look forward to next year's new boundary pushing work worthy of a Benois.