American Ballet Theatre (ABT) held its Fall Gala Wednesday night at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. This year's performance was a mix of classical and contemporary, with a focus on Women's Movement, ABT's initiative to give women choreographers a larger presence within the company. Sponsored by Celebrity Cruises, and chaired by Brian Abel, Emily and Len Blavatnik, Nancy McCormick, Jenna Segal, Sutton Stracke and Caryn Zucker, the evening's proceeds will go towards supporting America’s National Ballet Company, the ABT Women’s Movement, and ABT’s education, diversity, and inclusion programs.
The performance began with an homage to the classics, Tchaikovsky's Theme and Variations, choreographed by George Balanchine. Two contemporary ballets followed: Let Me Sing Forever, choreographed by Jessica Lang, and performed to songs sung by Tony Bennett; and the world premiere of A Gathering of Ghosts, choreographed by Twyla Tharp, to music by Johannes Brahms. Both Lang and Tharp took their bows with the dancers to resounding applause.
"I am proud to be an example of ABT's initiative to move women to the forefront of opportunity in creative and leadership developmental capacities," said Lang. "I have been working in my craft for 20 years, so I feel very confident in my work and career. I am here because of my talent, not because of my gender. I continue to strive for equality in all areas of the world and always believe we should seek to give opportunity to anyone who demonstrates potential for excellence and talent. I do the work I love, staying authentic to who I am."
ABT board member Segal has been a big supporter of the Women's Movement program from its inception.
"Women weren't creating their own steps in this country, and it was time for them to choreograph their own movement," said Segal. "Less than 10% of choreographers in the United States are women, and this so clearly needs to be changed. ABT is at the forefront of this evolution - if we're not the ones to do it, no one will."
After the performance, guests, including Honorary Chair Caroline Kennedy, Vice Chair Sarah Arison, Katie Holmes, Tony Bennet, Karrueche Tran, Victor Cruz, Amy Astley, Hamish Bowles, Jordan Roth, and Deborah Roberts, were invited up to dinner and dancing on the promenade.
"Through the ABT Women’s Movement, ABT is now leading the field in providing opportunities for women choreographers and creators," said Arison, who is also a board member. "Further, ABT is encouraging dancers to exercise their leadership skills in ABT Incubator – our lab for new choreography – and at Harvard Business School in the Crossover Into Business Program with pro-athletes. Two of ABT’s dancers, Gemma Bond and James Whiteside, have created new ballets that ABT will premiere at Lincoln Center next week."
Dancers brought the energy up on the dance floor, encouraging guests to have an exhilarating time. Junior Chair Ariana Rockefeller and her friends brought a youthful spark to the evening.
"ABT is perfection," said Rockefeller. "It's vital to the heartbeat of ballet and to the cultural ecology of New York."
