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Dance Companies Take Baby Steps Back to Rehearsal Dance Companies Take Baby Steps Back to Rehearsal
(8 days later)
Eight dancers from the Ballet du Rhin were partway through a class at their studio in Mulhouse, eastern France, recently, when the company’s artistic director decided to step things up.Eight dancers from the Ballet du Rhin were partway through a class at their studio in Mulhouse, eastern France, recently, when the company’s artistic director decided to step things up.
The dancers had been doing gentle exercises at the barre. Then, the director, Bruno Bouché, asked them to perform a short routine, heavy on pirouettes, in socially distanced pairs.The dancers had been doing gentle exercises at the barre. Then, the director, Bruno Bouché, asked them to perform a short routine, heavy on pirouettes, in socially distanced pairs.
Alice Pernão, 22, one of the first dancers to try, performed the spins with the relish of a dancer moving her limbs fully for the first time in months.Alice Pernão, 22, one of the first dancers to try, performed the spins with the relish of a dancer moving her limbs fully for the first time in months.
But as soon as she finished, Ms. Pernão performed a little extra routine that dancers worldwide might soon have to get used to: She flipped her face mask off an ear, and, breathing heavily, rushed back to her place at the barre to gulp down some water.But as soon as she finished, Ms. Pernão performed a little extra routine that dancers worldwide might soon have to get used to: She flipped her face mask off an ear, and, breathing heavily, rushed back to her place at the barre to gulp down some water.
She then disinfected her hands with gel, put the mask back on, and tried to catch her breath for the next exercise.She then disinfected her hands with gel, put the mask back on, and tried to catch her breath for the next exercise.
The Ballet du Rhin this month became the first company in France to return to work, having agreed on measures with the local authorities. Under the permission, the company could restart the classes that traditionally begin a dancer’s day, but with procedures to reduce the risk of virus transmission. The performers also had to endorse the changes for the classes to resume, and full rehearsals are not yet allowed.The Ballet du Rhin this month became the first company in France to return to work, having agreed on measures with the local authorities. Under the permission, the company could restart the classes that traditionally begin a dancer’s day, but with procedures to reduce the risk of virus transmission. The performers also had to endorse the changes for the classes to resume, and full rehearsals are not yet allowed.
Across Europe, other dance companies have also started practicing again to varying degrees. Performances are still a long way off for most, although some theaters on the continent are being allowed to reopen with social distancing. Austria, for instance, is allowing events of up to 100 people from Friday. On Tuesday, Bavaria in Germany announced that theaters in the region could reopen from June 15, albeit for a maximum 50 people.Across Europe, other dance companies have also started practicing again to varying degrees. Performances are still a long way off for most, although some theaters on the continent are being allowed to reopen with social distancing. Austria, for instance, is allowing events of up to 100 people from Friday. On Tuesday, Bavaria in Germany announced that theaters in the region could reopen from June 15, albeit for a maximum 50 people.
Mr. Bouché said in a telephone interview that, before the pandemic, his 32 dancers sometimes spent all day with each other: in classes, rehearsals, or just chatting. Now they had been split into three groups and get only an hour’s class.Mr. Bouché said in a telephone interview that, before the pandemic, his 32 dancers sometimes spent all day with each other: in classes, rehearsals, or just chatting. Now they had been split into three groups and get only an hour’s class.
“There are many rules,” he said. For instance, dancers are not allowed to use changing rooms. Instead, they must go directly to the studio and stand at a marked spot at the barre, about 11 feet away from others.“There are many rules,” he said. For instance, dancers are not allowed to use changing rooms. Instead, they must go directly to the studio and stand at a marked spot at the barre, about 11 feet away from others.
Their outside clothes must go into a bag to ensure they do not touch anything, he added; that bag must then be put into another one provided by the company that is thrown into the trash once the class has finished. They are also each given a spray to disinfect the barre. And, of course, they have to dance wearing masks.Their outside clothes must go into a bag to ensure they do not touch anything, he added; that bag must then be put into another one provided by the company that is thrown into the trash once the class has finished. They are also each given a spray to disinfect the barre. And, of course, they have to dance wearing masks.
Ms. Pernão, in an interview via Zoom after the class, said that she loved being back but found wearing the mask difficult. “It’s like any sport,” she said. “As soon as you do a bit of stamina work, you’re breathing faster and reaching for oxygen.”Ms. Pernão, in an interview via Zoom after the class, said that she loved being back but found wearing the mask difficult. “It’s like any sport,” she said. “As soon as you do a bit of stamina work, you’re breathing faster and reaching for oxygen.”
“We’re getting used to it,” she added, “but …” She pulled a frustrated face.“We’re getting used to it,” she added, “but …” She pulled a frustrated face.
The rules for classes and rehearsals vary by country and company. In Germany, the Staatsballett Berlin’s 93 dancers restarted daily classes on May 13, but in groups of around eight to maintain social distancing.The rules for classes and rehearsals vary by country and company. In Germany, the Staatsballett Berlin’s 93 dancers restarted daily classes on May 13, but in groups of around eight to maintain social distancing.
In a class on Monday, the dancers all moved freely, even occasionally sharing jokes, as a reporter watched via Skype. None made a desperate lunge for water after completing an exercise. But the new order was clear: A pianist wore a mask as she played and the dancers had to disinfect the barre once the class finished.In a class on Monday, the dancers all moved freely, even occasionally sharing jokes, as a reporter watched via Skype. None made a desperate lunge for water after completing an exercise. But the new order was clear: A pianist wore a mask as she played and the dancers had to disinfect the barre once the class finished.
It took “four to five weeks” to draw up the rules for the classes and to get them signed off by Berlin’s health authorities and by the company, said Christiane Theobald, the Staatsballett’s deputy artistic director, in a telephone interview. The hardest part had been working out a system for the dancers to arrive at different times and to ensure that there were never more than two in each dressing room, she said.It took “four to five weeks” to draw up the rules for the classes and to get them signed off by Berlin’s health authorities and by the company, said Christiane Theobald, the Staatsballett’s deputy artistic director, in a telephone interview. The hardest part had been working out a system for the dancers to arrive at different times and to ensure that there were never more than two in each dressing room, she said.
To resume, the dancers had to sign a document stating that they agreed to return under the new conditions, she said. That meant the Staatsballett was not liable if they caught the virus.To resume, the dancers had to sign a document stating that they agreed to return under the new conditions, she said. That meant the Staatsballett was not liable if they caught the virus.
Dominic Hodal, an American dancer with the company, said in a telephone interview that he had loved the first day back. “It was really satisfying, almost in a childish way,” he said. “It was like ‘Here’s your cookie.’”Dominic Hodal, an American dancer with the company, said in a telephone interview that he had loved the first day back. “It was really satisfying, almost in a childish way,” he said. “It was like ‘Here’s your cookie.’”
But that feeling had lasted “for about three days,” he said. What he wanted now was to take part in a proper rehearsal, to dance with and touch others, and to perform for a crowd. “It feels a bit of a tease,” he said.But that feeling had lasted “for about three days,” he said. What he wanted now was to take part in a proper rehearsal, to dance with and touch others, and to perform for a crowd. “It feels a bit of a tease,” he said.
Some contemporary dance companies in Europe are also returning to work. In Austria, groups can rehearse if there is about 100 square feet of studio space per dancer.Some contemporary dance companies in Europe are also returning to work. In Austria, groups can rehearse if there is about 100 square feet of studio space per dancer.
One recent Tuesday, Chris Haring, the artistic director of Liquid Loft in Vienna, led a rehearsal for two of the company’s members. At one point, they rolled toward each other, potentially closer than the separation the government has mandated: about five feet. “Distance!” Mr. Haring said loudly.One recent Tuesday, Chris Haring, the artistic director of Liquid Loft in Vienna, led a rehearsal for two of the company’s members. At one point, they rolled toward each other, potentially closer than the separation the government has mandated: about five feet. “Distance!” Mr. Haring said loudly.
Updated August 17, 2020 Updated August 24, 2020
In a Zoom interview, Mr. Haring said there was “not much” difference in how he was rehearsing now compared with before the pandemic, except in the number of dancers allowed in the space. The piece they were working on explored ideas of “solitude,” he said, so the dancers did not need to touch.In a Zoom interview, Mr. Haring said there was “not much” difference in how he was rehearsing now compared with before the pandemic, except in the number of dancers allowed in the space. The piece they were working on explored ideas of “solitude,” he said, so the dancers did not need to touch.
His biggest concern was not rehearsal rules, he added, but when his company would be able to perform again, especially given the fact that it mainly worked outside Austria. He was able to pay the dancers for a few weeks of rehearsal this summer, he said, “but we’ve all, including me, had to apply for support from the government.”His biggest concern was not rehearsal rules, he added, but when his company would be able to perform again, especially given the fact that it mainly worked outside Austria. He was able to pay the dancers for a few weeks of rehearsal this summer, he said, “but we’ve all, including me, had to apply for support from the government.”
And not all dancers in Europe are banned from touching. Starting Monday, companies in Iceland have been able to rehearse without social distancing. Iceland has had great success tackling the coronavirus thanks in part to widespread testing and to a tracking app. Performances for up to 200 people are now allowed.And not all dancers in Europe are banned from touching. Starting Monday, companies in Iceland have been able to rehearse without social distancing. Iceland has had great success tackling the coronavirus thanks in part to widespread testing and to a tracking app. Performances for up to 200 people are now allowed.
Before Monday, the Iceland Dance Company had been rehearsing with social distancing for six weeks, said Erna Omarsdottir, the troupe’s founder, in a telephone interview. The dancers found those rehearsals frustrating at times, she said, but they had also seen them as an opportunity to experiment with new ways of dancing.Before Monday, the Iceland Dance Company had been rehearsing with social distancing for six weeks, said Erna Omarsdottir, the troupe’s founder, in a telephone interview. The dancers found those rehearsals frustrating at times, she said, but they had also seen them as an opportunity to experiment with new ways of dancing.
The company was working on a production of “Romeo and Juliet,” Ms. Omarsdottir added. “It is very hard to imagine a love story without contact, without a kiss, touching,” she said.The company was working on a production of “Romeo and Juliet,” Ms. Omarsdottir added. “It is very hard to imagine a love story without contact, without a kiss, touching,” she said.
During the restrictions, the company held rehearsals outside in graveyards and beaches to afford enough space for the company’s 10 dancers to spread out, then tried experiments like dancing with a tree in place of a partner, Ms. Omarsdottir said. Some of the ideas developed during those rehearsals would be used in future, she said.During the restrictions, the company held rehearsals outside in graveyards and beaches to afford enough space for the company’s 10 dancers to spread out, then tried experiments like dancing with a tree in place of a partner, Ms. Omarsdottir said. Some of the ideas developed during those rehearsals would be used in future, she said.
Mr. Bouché, from the Ballet du Rhin, said he was not jealous of dancers elsewhere being able to rehearse without restrictions, because he felt things would change in France soon.Mr. Bouché, from the Ballet du Rhin, said he was not jealous of dancers elsewhere being able to rehearse without restrictions, because he felt things would change in France soon.
“Next week, maybe we will be able to take the mask off,” he said. “In two weeks, maybe we will be able to have some real rehearsals.”“Next week, maybe we will be able to take the mask off,” he said. “In two weeks, maybe we will be able to have some real rehearsals.”
“There is a lot of frustration,” he added, “but we’re just happy to be here. This is a lot better than being at home.”“There is a lot of frustration,” he added, “but we’re just happy to be here. This is a lot better than being at home.”