FWB Comes to TV: Stierle Magic and Public Television.

Photo by Rachel Aron



Hello readers.

 

I have a quick, brief blog entry for you today to mention something that is truly monumental for our own Fort Wayne Ballet. In the spring, I wrote a review and discussion here concerning our tribute performance to the work of Eddie Stierle. This performance was a stunning visual testament to the life and legacy of an amazing young choreographer, struck down just as he was beginning to find his voice. Everyone I’ve spoken to who attended the show went to pains to express how deeply moved they were by the work of our dancers in recreating Eddie’s vision.

 

For those of you who could not attend Dancers Legacy: An Evening of Stierle, I come as the bearer of glad tidings! Our local public television station, PBS Fort Wayne, went to great lengths back in May to capture this show in all its high-definition glory, and the resulting FULL performance/documentary is airing TONIGHT, September 22, on Channel 39.

 

We, the directors, staff, and dancers of the company were able to attend an early screening of the broadcast, and we were deeply moved by the artful production and editing magic that our media partners at PBS Fort Wayne have brought to this project, and humbled that they used that magic to introduce Fort Wayne Ballet to a larger audience. And so, I would like to take this moment and this soapbox to ask you to please watch. Please turn on your TV tonight at 9:00 PM and witness the beautiful capture of what I would argue as one of the most significant performances in the Fort Wayne arts community in recent memory.

 

I did not write that last sentence lightly. I would like you to consider two particular points:

 

First, why would it be worth your time to flip on the TV tonight? 

 

To support your community, for one. Fort Wayne Ballet employs dancers from around the world who came here to dance and celebrate artistic endeavor in our community. They came here because they recognize that we have a world-class ballet company. I feel a sense of pride in that statement; I feel it every day I come to work. This is our art. This is our culture.

 

Our dancers made history with this performance, and they deserve their accolades and the acknowledgment of this community. Remember that when you see a dancer perform these works, every move you see has been honed not just to their personal standards, or the Company's, nor to the audience’s forgiving eye, but to the exacting standards of the trusts and foundations and individuals who own the rights to particular ballets and dictate the way those ballets may be portrayed to an audience. We performed the Stierle works because we were entrusted with them, and our dancers rose to the occasion. It does Fort Wayne proud that we have a company that is respected enough and trusted enough to carry the permissions for some of the greatest ballets of modern times.

 

My second point concerns the importance of this broadcast as a historical record. This concept had not occurred to me until this evening, as I heard it discussed by a guest repetiteur: to the best of my knowledge, this is currently the only professionally filmed, high-definition recording of these three ballets in existence. Let that sink in. We are now the standard-bearers. Future dancers and companies will look to us for a visual history of Eddie Stierle’s work. That is no small thing for a midwestern ballet to lay claim. 

 

So please join me from the comfort of your own living room, in tuning in this evening to a lovely and very moving TV show on PBS. And make a pledge to public television this year. They are good people who do great things. They've certainly been great friends to us.



UPDATE, 9/26/2023:

Just a quick update for those who missed the broadcast, the digital link to this wonderful program can be found here! Enjoy!

Dancer's Legacy: Edward Stierle


 

Our next podcast will drop on October 1st and will begin a series leading up to our first main stage show of the year, OPENING NIGHT! on October 20-21. Subscribe to Kinetic Conversations with Fort Wayne Ballet on your favorite audio platform.


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