Ana Sophia Scheller and Tiit Helimets. (© Erik Tomasson)
What happens when 12 of the most innovative international choreographers are given the opportunity to create with our uniquely expressive and daring dancers? We’re celebrating the San Francisco spirit of curiosity, experimentation, and invention with Unbound—a festival of 12 world premieres spanning four programs over 17 days. Kari Lincks from Red Curtain Addict and I chatted with SF Ballet Soloist Max Cauthorn and Ballet Master Anita Paciotti about the upcoming show and what the life of a dancer is really like.
No Name: What does it mean to be a Ballet Master?
Anita Paciotti: A Ballet Master was a (man) who had mastered the teaching dance, in the beginning. We were referred to as Ballet Mistresses. So this is a sign of how the world has changed. It hasn’t been that many years – maybe five or six – that we are now all Ballet Masters.
Kari Lincks: Max, how long have you been with the San Francisco Ballet?
Max Cauthorn: This is my fifth year in the company, and I was in the school for nine years before that.
KL: You’re a “soloist” – what does that mean?
MC: I lie in the middle rank in the company, so I’m given opportunities to dance by myself and principal parts with other partners, and other higher-ranking roles.
No Name: Let’s talk about the hours that you have to put in.
MC: It’s pretty tough, and for the dancers and Ballet Masters alike. Our year is divided into sections. We have our rehearsal year from July to November, Monday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm. That’s our easy half of the year. December through May, you do six days a week until 11 at night.
NN: Do you have time for a social life?
MC: Does sleeping count?
Right now, we’re so busy, I don’t do anything that I don’t have to do. Your body is under so much stress and fatigue, you don’t want to add to that any more than you need to.
KL: The Unbound festival celebrates new works. There are 12 world premieres in 17 days. Anita, can you tell us more about it?
Anita Paciotti: It’s not the first time Helgi (Tomasson, Ballet Artistic Director & Principal Choreographer) has done a festival. But this time he has chosen all world premieres, and 12 is a big number of choreographers to be presented within that time frame. It is his most ambitious undertaking devoted to new works. We are a classical company, but he has always maintained that that is not enough. You have to look to the future to where ballet will go from here.
For more from the SF Ballet Ballet Master and Soloist, listen below.