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By Kevin Shihoten
09 Nov 2007
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| ABT II |
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| photo by Rosalie O'Connor |
The ABT Studio Company, American Ballet Theatre's pre-college classical company, has been renamed ABT II, ABT artistic director Kevin McKenzie announced yesterday.
“ABT II can now more closely be associated with American Ballet Theatre’s standard of excellence,” explained Wes Chapman, ABT II's artistic director.
The thirteen members of ABT II, a multinational group aged 16-19, undergo one to two years of training for entrance into ABT. Young emerging choreographers, composers and designers, chosen to create or contribute to repertory pieces for ABT II, also receive invaluable exposure through the program. Since 1995, forty-three dancers have moved onto careers with ABT, including three as principals and six as soloists.
Serving as its larger company's main outreach branch, ABT II has performed for over 25,000 children through public school programs and residencies nationwide.
This season, ABT II will tour Costa Rica, Bermuda, Spain, Alaska and New York. Choreographers creating new work include Lauri Stallings, Brian Reeder and Azure Barton.
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