Ballet dancers often seem untouchable on the stage, existing in eternal youth and surrounded by the music of masterful composers. But what happens when these dancers grow older and are replaced by younger, more agile performers? For those who have known little else than their art since birth, resources to assist in pursuing new career fields are often lacking.
That's where the Dancers Resource Fund (DRF) at the Boston Ballet comes in. The DRF was founded in 1988 to assist dancers with financial and support services as they pursue new career opportunities.
"Some dancers know what they want to do and become choreographers," DRF Chairwoman Christina Selearno said, "but some people decide they've closed that chapter of their life and they want to do something else. They can dedicate themselves to something, but [they're] not sure what they want to dedicate themselves to."
The DRF - which was recently re-established by ballet members after having been inactive for five years - helps dancers enter into a number of fields, from marketing to catering to choreographing.
The latter, according to Selearno, is a particularly appealing option for dancers.
"One of the career transition things is having the dancers choreograph. It is important for choreographers to get experience."
Tonight and tomorrow, the Boston Ballet Dancers will be presenting "Beyond Boundaries," an evening of new choreography produced and performed in an effort to raise money for the fund. In addition, there will be a silent auction during the Saturday evening performance; items include a day of beauty from Linear Aveda, four tickets to the Ballet, and a haircut and style from Vidal Sassoon Salon.
Each dancer in the company is eligible for a portion of the overall income that DRF fund raises.
The dances being performed at this weekend's show are an appealing, eclectic mix. Selarno says that two classical pieces, two contemporary pieces, and something "more on the modern side for a ballet company" will be presented. Boston Ballet dancers Viktor Potnikov, Yury Yanowsky, Gianni Di Marco, Simon Ball, and Robert Underwood choreographed the pieces.
The Boston Ballet's DRF has very few parallels in other companies across the US.
Tickets to the events are $20 each. The performance will take place at the Company's Grand Stuido, located at 19 Clarendon Street in the South End. Call (617) 695-6955 for more info.
