Dancers Backstage

On December 6th & 7th of 2008, Media City Ballet of Los Angeles presented a spectacular and very entertaining Nutcracker. With a nearly sold out season, MCB continues to WOW the audience.

Each dancer has their own routine before performing. Some immediately start warming up, while others calmly set up their costumes and head pieces. Some do their make-up and some will pace the halls to calm their nervous...or shall I say - EXCITEMENT.

I saw all kinds of "routines". Enthusiastic dancers taking pictures left and right for their blogs or myspace, while another girl sat in the corner massaging icy-hot on her tendons. Jet glue was applied to pointe shoes, rozin was laid out, leg warmers were piled on as the minutes ticked away before curtain.

I asked the dancers what they do or feel right before performing and they replied,
"I breath" - Melissa McComas
"I visualize what I do on stage before I go on" - Emily Morrow
"I feel nervous, but then once I'm on the floor - I feel like I'm HOME" - Raquel Cordova
"Nervous and Excited" -Andee Tims
"Have a little bit of PLAYTIME" - Selkie Hom
"I don't want to disappoint myself or my family and friend that come to watch me". - Carrie Lee Riggins

Enjoy MCB's footage our Dancers Backstage

Performance Gitters

"There is such a difference when you're dancing to music you really love, when there is this meeting of music and dancer that fuses into one. Those are the experiences we live for." Alicia Alonso

MCB will be rehearsing at the Alex Theatre in Glendale tomorrow! Stay tuned for footage of what dancers feel right before a performance, how they warm up and much more.

What do I feel before performing? Nerves that make my teeth chatter. My hands sweat and feel cold and my heart beats so fast, it makes my body vibrate. I hear the music but the nerves continue. I take a deep breath, stand up straight, stick in my stomach and run on stage (with pointed feet of course)...the nerves are gone - I'm home - I feel....peace.

MCB's Ballet Russes

Media City Ballet of Los Angeles is directed by Natasha Middleton with Associate Director, Ruben Tonoyan. MCB of LA is dedicated to providing Los Angeles and the surrounding communities with quality live ballet productions, utilizing the inspired and creative talents of the local community, as well as professionals from around the world.

MCB of LA is the only ballet company in Los Angeles presenting performances in the tradition and philosophy of the legendary Ballet Russe de Serge Diaghilev. Natasha Middleton’s grandmother, Elena Wortova, was a Soloist in the original Ballet Russe, which included other legendary dancers like Anna Pavlova, George Balanchine, Alexandra Danilova and Vaslav Nijinsky. Middleton’s father, Andrei Tremaine, was a Principal Dancer with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, and Soloist with the Ballet Nacional de Mexico and the Colon Opera Ballet of Buenos Aires. Natasha Middleton, a “Ballet Russe Baby,” was a Principal Dancer for her father’s ballet company, Pacific Ballet Theatre, as well as a member of the Joffrey II Ballet Company in New York City, before taking on the responsibilities of Artistic Director for Media City Ballet Company.

Ruben Tonoyan, Associate Director, was a Soloist with the Armenian National Opera Ballet for 23 years. He began his training at the age of eight with the Armenian National Academy of Ballet. He continued his training at the Kirov Ballet School and the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. After graduation, he returned to his native Armenia where he danced numerous ballets including the leading role in Khachaturian's Gayne. He has since toured around the world performing in such ballets as Giselle, Carmen, Swan Lake, Otello and The Nutcracker. He has also performed with the National TV Contemporary Ballet for about ten years.

QUESTION:
Tell us about your experiences with the Ballet Russes. What was your first experience? Were you a former member, were you trained by a member? Which ballets were your favorite and which ballets would you like to see again?