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Ordway Blog: Stay connected here with what is happening at Ordway and take a look at what is going on behind the scenes.

Wednesday Webisode: Every "Buddy" Loves Elf the Musical!

Wed, Nov 14, 2012 10:54 AM by Emily Kudrle

Every“Buddy” loves Elf the Musical! See what fans have to say about the hilarious tale of an orphan Elf in New York City 

Watch on YouTube.com >>

 

Posted in Behind the Scenes, Musicals, Theater Season, Elf the Musical

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Give to the Max Day is 11/15!

Tue, Nov 13, 2012 12:42 PM by Emily Kudrle

We all know that the time between Thanksgiving and the New Year is extraordinarily busy. That’s why this year we’re encouraging you to get your end of year charitable giving done early in a way that could help the Ordway win $12,500!

November 15th is “Give to the Max Day”, an annual event that encourages charitable giving online. $12,500, $5,000, and $2,500 prize grants will be awarded to the top three nonprofit organizations who receive the most dollars in 24 hours during Give to the Max Day.

The Ordway is not just a theater- it’s a space for artists to grow, learn, and share their craft with the Twin Cities. Every dollar we raise on November 15th goes towards broadening Minnesotans’ understanding of the world around them through the performing arts.

Contributing is easy! Just go to the Ordway’s page on givemn.org on November 15th. We hope you will join us to celebrate this day of philanthropy, and support the Ordway’s vision for joy.

 

 

Posted in Give to the Max Day, Announcement

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Education at the Ordway!

Tue, Nov 6, 2012 1:48 PM by Emily Kudrle

This past October the Ordway celebrated Mexican arts history with various Máscaras y Milagros events throughout the month.  It was a great opportunity to educate children in about Mexican arts here in Minnesota.  Below are some photos from the events.

Delfos Danza Contemporánea held a master class with students from the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. The students learned several dance combinations from Delfos’s artistic directors, Victor Manuel Ruiz and Claudia Lavista, and got the chance to work with company members.  

(Pictured: Delfos Company Member dancing with SPCPA students)

 

Delfos Danza Contemporánea took a moment after one of their school performances to speak about their dance piece, Cuando los Disfraces se Cuelgan, with Northfield School of Art & Technology. The students then had the opportunity to examine Mexican artifacts provided by the Multicultural Resource Center that is affiliated with Saint Paul Public Schools.

 

(Pictured: Delfos Danza Contemporánea speaking to students from Northfield School of Art & Technology)

(Pictured: Sheryl Kempf from the Multicultural Resource Center discussing an artifact with students).

 

Delfos Danza Contemporánea visited the 6^th Grade class at Mississippi Creative Arts Magnet school. They performed pieces of the performance the students would be experiencing the next day, and then worked with the students to help them create their own versions of the pieces they were just shown.   

 

(Pictured: Delfos showing a portion of their dance piece, , Cuando los Disfraces se Cuelgan)

 

(Pictured: Artistic Director Claudia Lavista working with students at Mississippi Creative Arts Magent)

 

(Pictured: Artistic Director Victor Manuel Ruiz working with students at Mississippi Creative Arts Magnet)   

 

Photo Credits: Kristie Gaalswyk and Traci Shannon 

Posted in Education

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Join Us for Prohibition Era Dining & Dancing at the Dec. 1 Ordway Annual Gala

Mon, Oct 22, 2012 2:43 PM by Luke Anderson

Below is a guest blog post from Joan Holman, member of the Ordway Circle of Stars Board of Directors

The Ordway Circle of Stars annual gala is coming up fast, and this year there are two ways you can participate. 

Puttin’ on the Glitz is the theme for this year’s traditional gala, to be held at the Ordway on Sat., Dec. 1. The event will start at 5 p.m. with a gourmet reception that takes guests back in time to the glamour of the 1920s with Prohibition-themed entertainment, cocktails and cuisine – culminating in dancing on stage at 9 p.m. to The Wolverines Big Band. There will be special guest performances throughout the evening featuring music from a bygone era, as well as a silent  auction, live auction and prize drawings. More info at www.ordway.org/gala.

This year, there will be another fun, new option for attending the Gala for people who would like to start their evenings a bit later. For the Black Tie Blitz, guests will dress to the nines and arrive fashionably late for the already in progress Puttin’ on the Glitz gala. This group will join gala guests for the dance on stage with The Wolverines Big Band and other featured performers. Both black tie or 1920’s attire is admired but not required. For more info on this event, visit www.ordway.org/blitz.

Both events benefit the Ordway and its education programs, and will give guests a chance to dance onstage at the Ordway.

And we have some really exciting activities planned for the dance portion of the evening as well: a wine ring toss, dance lessons from Arthur Murray, some instant photo printing sponsored by Comcast and provided by Photo.bo (bring your smart phones!), and complimentary beer, wine and dessert buffet while you dance the night away onstage at the Ordway!

I hope to see you all there!

Joan Holman

OCOS Board of Directors

Posted in Gala, Ordway, Announcements, News, Guest Blog

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Billy Elliot The Musical: Blogger Night at the Ordway!

Fri, Oct 12, 2012 11:06 AM by Emily Kudrle

Winner of 10 Tony Awards, Billy Elliot The Musical is the joyous celebration of one boy’s journey to make his dreams come true. The show takes on a life of its own and will leave you in awe of the dynamic choreography, the energetic dancing, and the heartfelt story; but, hey, don’t  take our word for it!

Check out the reviews from our guest bloggers, who saw Billy Elliot on opening night to find out what they had to say about the show!  

"Billy Elliot the Musical - A Show with Heart" by Brenda Anderson
http://brendaandersonbooks.com/blog/

“Chasse, Step, Chasse, and Turn!” by Brett Burger
http://coffeetalkwithbrett.blogspot.com/2012/10/chasse-step-chasse-and-turn.html

“Billy Elliot at the Ordway” by Alexandra Haider
http://mplsgossipgirl.wordpress.com/2012/10/10/billy-elliot-the-ordway/

“Review: Billy Elliot” by Stephanie Kwong
http://www.phenomnaltwincities.com/?p=14256

 “Billy Elliot – The Review: Its all about individuality!” by Mark K Thompson
http://markkthompson.blogspot.com/2012/10/billy-elliot-musical.html

 “Billy Elliot and the Struggle Within” by Daniel Undem
http://danielundem.com/2012/10/10/billy-elliot-and-the-struggle-within/

“A night at the theatahhhhhh” by Megan Love Warner
http://ipreferheels.com/2012/10/11/a-night-at-the-theataaaahhhh/

“Billy Elliot”  by Rachel Welch
http://www.theminneapolite.blogspot.com/ 

  

Think you’re a great writer? Do you have a blog? Want to be a guest blogger? Send your blog URL to social@ordway.org! We are always accepting new bloggers so spread the word!

Posted in Billy Elliot, Theater Season, Musical, Blogger Night

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The Reviews are in for Billy Elliot the Musical

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 2:20 PM by Luke Anderson

Critics are buzzing about Billy Elliot the Musical at the Ordway! Below are several local reviews from Tuesday night’s opening performance.

Star Tribune, “This engaging ‘Billy’ takes gorgeous flight,” By Rohan Preston

Pioneer Press, “Glitz and grit: The musical ‘Billy Elliot’ soars with perfect balance,” By Rob Hubbard

BroadwayWorld.com, “Billy Elliot Pirouettes with Stunning Grace at the Ordway,” By Kristin Frosch

HowWasTheShow.com, “Billy Elliot The Musical at the Ordway,” By John Olive

Lavender Magazine, “Billy Elliot sets the Soul to Dancing,” By Kathleen Watson

Twin Cities Daily Planet, “‘Billy Elliot’ at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts: Entertaining, but challenging,” By Jean Gabler

 

Billy Elliot the Musical is at the Ordway through this Sunday, October 14 only. For ticket information, click here. 

Posted in Theater Season, Billy Elliot, Musicals, Dance, Reviews

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Why Dance Makes You Shine Contest Entries

Fri, Oct 5, 2012 1:47 PM by Emily Kudrle

As our Billy Elliot Multi-Media Essay Contest comes to a close, we would like to share some of the entries we recieved from people telling us why dance makes them shine!

 

First we have a collage from Hannah, age 10

 

Next is an essay from Elise, age 14

Why Dance Makes me Shine!

Billy Elliot Essay Contest

By Elise 

 

Dancing makes me feel alive. When I dance I feel like a whole person. Dancing is my safe home where I always feel comfortable and welcome. Dance is not just an after-school activity for me. It is a passion.

Although I love dance now I did not always think of dance as something to do forever. I started at age three. I loved the bright lights and costumes, the excitement and the nervousness. When I performed I loved telling the audience a story. It was not until I was about ten that I realized how much I appreciated dancing. Suddenly dance was no longer just a set of fun steps to a beat. It became a way to release emotions I could not put into words. Even though I often struggled to learn new steps and was not the best dancer in my class, dancing made me feel physically challenged and exhilarated.

Today I look at dance as a way of life. I want to be that sugar plum fairy that I was inspired by when I saw my first ballet. Dancing makes me shine as I forget my prejudices, concerns, and worries. When I dance I do something that totally envelopes me. The stage is my second home. The dance studio is where I live and breathe. No matter how I’m feeling on the inside, I can let those thoughts go and feel nothing.

Dancing brings me to a place like no other. I especially relate to the song from Billy Elliot called “Grandma’s Song”  in which Billy’s grandmother speaks of the magic of dancing.

We’d go dancing…. From a moment my heart was aglow...

We were free from an hour or three from the people we had to be.

That’s how I feel about dancing. I can’t imagine ever giving up dance. It’s something that I go to during rough times. Dance is my passion and it makes me shine.

 

Finally, here is a picture/story from Stella, age 9

 

Stay tuned for more contest entries and remember to keep shining!

Posted in Billy Elliot, Theater Season, Musicals, Contest

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Wednesday Webisode: On the Road with Billy

Wed, Oct 3, 2012 12:20 PM by Emily Kudrle

Ever wonder what it takes to bring a broadway show like Billy Elliot to Minnesota? Hear from Production Manager Kimberly Fisk about all the ins and outs of bringing this show to life city to city! 

Watch on YouTube.com >>

Posted in Billy Elliot, Theater Season, Musicals

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The 1984 Miners' Strike: The history behind Billy Elliot the Musical

Fri, Sep 28, 2012 11:55 AM by Emily Kudrle

Billy Elliot the musical is set in a tumultuous time in British history.  Set in a small English town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising talent for dance that inspires his family and his whole community, and changes his life forever.

During this time the coal miner’s strike of 1984/1985 was in full force and spurred one of the county’s most enduring conflicts in recent history.  In 1984, the mineworkers’ union, with 250,000 members, was among the most powerful unions in Britain. The battle began in March of that year when, after an economic recession exposed the industry, the government announced pit closures. 

Billy Elliot is set in a town where coal mining had been the life blood of the economy, and a certain way of life for hundreds of years.  To the people of this town, this strike seemed less like an industrial fracas and more akin to a civil war. As the strike spread and the demands of the National Union of Mineworkers became more defiant, the government reacted with intransigence and intimidation. Police and pickets played out almost daily confrontations and by March 1985, when the strike was finally defeated, 11,291 people had been arrested.

“Solidarity, solidarity,
Solidarity forever
All for one and one for all”

In a time of so much turmoil and strife, Billy teaches us that we are all capable of making the lives we want for ourselves.  Whether it be ballet dancing or some other form of self-expression, we are in control of living a life full of joy and happiness. He also teaches us that whatever our circumstance, there is always the opportunity to create a better life, no matter what comes in our way. Keep on dancing!

Posted in Billy Elliot, Theater Season, Musicals

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Wednesday Webisode: From Stage to Screen

Wed, Sep 26, 2012 12:23 PM by Emily Kudrle

Hear from director Stephen Daldry and composer Elton John as they discuss the process of bring Billy Elliot from the small screen to the big stage!

Watch on YouTube.com >>

Posted in Billy Elliot, Theater Season, Musicals

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This blog is a group effort by Ordway staff, actors, artists, musicians, dancers and all those involved in the creative process of performances, programs and events at the Ordway to provide a behind the scenes look at what happens onstage, backstage and in support of the work presented at the Ordway. We also hope to  discuss pertinent topics in our industry.

The purpose of this blog is to engage with you in the blogosphere. We wish to let you know that our posts do not go through any official editorial process for spelling, grammar or fact checking, therefore errors may occur – please be kind! Every blog post is open for public comment, questions or suggestions and the Ordway chooses not to pre-screen these responses. That being said, we do reserve the right to remove any offensive, illegal, or inappropriate content at the Ordway's sole discretion.

As part of our new branding initiative surrounding the joy provided by performing arts, by posting a comment, question or suggestion you provide the Ordway with the right to use your submission for marketing and promotional purposes. (I know, I know, I promise to not make future posts as boring as this one!)

Phew! I'm done talking "legal jargon." Thanks for stopping by and reading our blog!