Hello everyone! Constance Stamatiou here, a dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Adt Dance). Originally from Charlotte, NC, I’m thrilled to be sharing a glimpse into my daily life as I embark on my fourth year with this incredible company.
My days typically begin before the sun fully rises, focusing on body conditioning with Pilates or Gyrotonics. This crucial preparation sets the stage for the demanding day ahead. By 10:30 am, I’m in Company class. This week, we were fortunate to learn from Clinton Luckett of American Ballet Theatre. We also had a floor barre session led by our talented colleague Renee Robinson. Following class, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, rehearsals for Christopher Huggins’ exciting new piece, “Anointed,” filled our studio with energy. After a much-needed lunch break from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, we continued rehearsing other repertoire works until 7:00 pm. To further broaden my dance horizons, I attend Ballroom classes twice a week after work, focusing on International Latin styles.
These additional activities are part of my journey as a Leonore Annenberg Fellowship recipient. This fellowship supports my artistic growth, allowing me to create a program focused on body awareness and strengthening areas needing improvement. It’s about continuous progress and pushing my boundaries, understanding that true development requires patience and consistent effort. Dance, especially at the ADT level, is incredibly physically demanding. While it’s fantastic for overall fitness, targeted training is essential to control flexibility and, importantly, prevent injuries that are common in this profession. This holistic approach to training is vital for maintaining peak performance in ADT dance.
Diving Deep into “Anointed”: A Highlight of ADT Dance Repertoire
I am incredibly excited about our upcoming tour and sharing Christopher Huggins’ “Anointed” with audiences. This piece is truly something special. The music itself is captivating, and the choreography is a dynamic blend of fluidity, speed, organic movement, and athleticism. The intricate partnering and challenging sequences push us to achieve what initially feels impossible, embodying the spirit of ADT dance excellence.
“Anointed” is a powerful narrative about the legacy of Alvin Ailey and his relationship with Judith Jamison. It portrays his passing the company leadership to her and the remarkable growth and recognition Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has achieved, including Ailey 2, The Ailey School, and AileyCamp. Mr. Ailey’s vision, that “dance came from people and should always be delivered back to the people,” has become a vibrant reality thanks to influential women like Judith Jamison, Denise Jefferson, Sylvia Waters, and Nasha Thomas-Schmitt. Adding another layer of depth, Ms. Jamison’s own words are woven into the compelling soundtrack, making the story even more resonant for audiences experiencing ADT dance.
Touring and Beyond: Sharing ADT Dance Across Cities
I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences from rehearsals and our tour. I can’t wait to post pictures and share my thoughts on the many cities we will visit, including returning to some familiar and beloved locations. This tour is extensive, taking us on the road from September 11th to October 31st. Being away from home for so long will be a little tough, especially missing my husband who I married on June 26th. I joke about how he’ll manage without me! Hopefully, he’ll be able to visit and perhaps even come to your town.
It’s currently 11:00 pm in New York City, the city that truly never sleeps, but I need to get ready for another day of rehearsals. Thank you for joining me for a peek into my world of ADT dance. Until next time, stay blessed and keep dancing!
With love,
Constance Stamatiou-Lopez
