Shapes of American Ballet: Teachers and Training Before Balanchine
By Jessica Zeller
Oxford University Press; 216 pages; $35
Calling all balletomanes! Texas Christian University dance professor Jessica Zeller sheds light on an often neglected piece of American dance history: the presence of American ballet from 1909 to 1934, prior to George Balanchine’s arrival. Learn about trailblazers like Russian dancer Mikhail Mordkin, whose NYC-based company Mordkin Ballet laid the groundwork for American Ballet Theatre.
Little Miss Dancey Pants
By Kourtni Mason; illustrated by
Sharad Kumar
AuthorHouse; 25 pages; $13.99
Former professional dancer Kourtni Mason encourages kids ages 3–6 to follow their dreams in Little Miss Dancey Pants, the story of Addison, an African-American girl who loves to dance and finds a role model right under her nose.
Merce Cunningham: Beyond the Perfect Stage
By Stephanie Berger
Damiani; 96 pages; $50
Photographer Stephanie Berger captures the architectural beauty of the late Merce Cunningham’s choreography during a series of site-specific “Events” from 2008 to 2011. Featured dancers include: Holley Farmer, Silas Riener, Rashaun Mitchell, Robert Swinston and Melissa Toogood.
Dance Production: Design and Technology
By Jeromy Hopgood
Focal Press; 294 pages; $44.95
Eastern Michigan University professor Jeromy Hopgood simplifies the process of staging a dance production with this new manual. Learn how to tackle pre-production planning, lighting, sound, sets, costumes, technology and stage management from the perspective of what works best for dance.
