Arts
Workshop of Neoclassical Ballet
View(s):The theme of this year’s dance workshop presented by the Alliance Francaise de Kotte (AFKO) is “The Art of Neoclassical Ballet” – a core item of the French Spring Festival 2016. The workshop will provide a brief history of neoclassical ballet and introduce participants to simple techniques used in this sublime dance genre, which evolved from classical ballet in the early 20th century.
Free of charge, the workshop will be held on Sunday, June 26, from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Nelung Arts Centre, 81 Hyde Park Corner, Colombo 2.
The workshop is for teachers as well as students (minimum age – thirteen) and will focus on the technical, artistic and performance aspects of neoclassical ballet. Participants must have prior ballet training and wear soft ballet shoes. (Girls must have their hair in a bun.) The recommended costume is tights, leotard and skirt for girls and tights/t-shirt for boys. (Casual attire will not be permitted).
The instructor is Seneka Abeyratne, who has a strong background in classical/contemporary ballet and contemporary dance based on the Martha Graham technique. His dance training includes eight years at the Khulsum School of Dance (now defunct) and twelve years at the Deanna School of Dancing – the largest ballet school in the island. He has in recent years conducted several dance workshops (ballet/contemporary) at such venues as the Deanna School of Dancing, the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, the Fulbright Commission, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and the Nelung Arts Centre.
He has also performed at various venues including the Lionel Wendt, Park Street Mews, and Lunar Terrace/Closenberg Hotel.
Neoclassical ballet is sleekly modern and profoundly minimalist. Although it rebels against the established traditions of the full-length story ballet and eschews the overly dramatized style of the Romantic Period, it is firmly grounded in classical ballet technique. It is closely associated with the New York City Ballet (NYCB), founded by George Balanchine in 1948. One of the leading ballet companies in the world, the NYCB performs his pioneering works on a regular basis.
Seneka Abeyratne can be contacted on (mobile) 077-5740807 or (email) snabeyratne@gmail.com