So here I am, sitting on my spot at the Metropolitan Opera after the tech rehearsal (a technical run-through in make-up and costumes) of tonight’s opening night gala and am writing this blog post. It’s my 3rd season with ABT, but the excitement doesn’t cease to put its mark on all of us every first day of every season. In order to be prepared (and be able to sleep in a little longer, haha) I went in yesterday on Sunday to prepare myself for the upcoming two months and lay out my things on my spot and place in the dressing room. It has become some sort of routine and tradition to do so, especially since the next two months we’ll spent a big part of our lifes in this building. Life is never boring in these two months and the ‘flow’ of this time is extremely enjoyable. ‘Flow’, ‘groove’ and ‘vibe’ are words whose definition is extremely vague. This time though it might give you a little bit of the ‘feeling’ what time here is like.
Anyway. Here the pictures from yesterday’s set-up.
Besides, tomorrow I’ll be ‘teching’ and on Wednesday at 2pm performing Basilio in Don Quixote with ABT for the first time. Here’s a sketch from the Designer (Santo) for the new costume for it …
Concerning the casting I’ve posted it on Facebook and Twitter, but once again, just in case:
First three weeks of casting for the MET: May 16: Gala, Bright Stream [finale]; May 18 2pm: Don Quixote, Basilio [NY debut]; May 19: Don Quixote, Lead Gypsy; May 21 8pm: Don Quixote, Lead Gypsy; May 24: Troika; May 25@2pm: Shadowplay [debut]; May 25@7.30pm: Troika; May 26: Shadowplay; May 28: Giselle, Peasant Pdd; June 1@2pm: Giselle, Peasant Pdd;
So, cheers as always and see you soon.
ps. another MET tradition. The irrestistible MET-chocolate-chip cookies from the MET cafeteria…
17
May 2011
Hi everyone. Once again one a half months passed since I last wrote. Many things (as always) happened, one of them being our ABT tour to Moscow, Russia. We premiered the new Benjamin Millepied ballet TROIKA, which we’ll also perform at the MET this summer.
So, well, we had a rehearsal period before Moscow, then the tour and then a week off, in which I managed to take a much needed metaphorical breath before we plunged into the current rehearsal period, which lasts for 5 weeks and then adjuncts to our MET season. After the MET season we’ll go straight to Los Angeles to perform for a week at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion and then for two weeks to Japan.
Exciting new debut and roles this season include Basilio in Don Quixote (first time with ABT), Franz in Coppelia, ‘The Boy with the matted hair’ in Tudor’s Shadowplay, ‘the classical ballet dancer’ in Ratmasky’s Bright Stream and the aforementioned Troika from Millepied. Our opening night at the Metropolitan Opera takes place on May 16th and we perform through July 9th. Check out ABT’s Calendar in case you will be or planning to be in the city during that time.
Speaking of Shadowplay, I’ll be dancing in Mr. Baryshnikov’s costume.
If you missed my twitter posts check these pics out:
Besides all of that I am seriously considering going back to (academic) school and starting the LEAP program to, at some point, achieve a Bachelor’s degree for Performing Arts…oh well, we’ll see.
…And as promised, here are is the Moscow album. Click on the small picture below to go to the page with the pictures. I updated the gallery function of the website, which changed the way the galleries display.
And as always cheers.
17
Apr 2011
Oh well. Hello everyone. It has again been almost a month since my last post.
I’m doing well, rehearsing full steam ahead, haha. Our own ABT’s all brand-new Nutcracker is about to premier in a couple of weeks. We are starting to tech it in NJPAC on two days this and the following week. I myself am dancing the Chinese dance (or tea or whatever you might call it, lol) together with Sarah Lane on Opening night (23rd) and a couple of other times and besides that have three shows of the Prince (traditionally called the Cavalier) on the 24th, 26th and 29th partnering Maria Riccetto. So if you are in NY please come and see me at the BAM!
Not only are we rehearsing Nutcracker though. At the same time as we are trying to redefine the traditional (or non-traditional) boundaries of this old-world (or new-world) classic we’re rehearsing Mr. Ratmasky’s ‘The Bright Stream’. A comical ballet touching the subject of the life at the Kolhozy in rural Soviet russia (wikipedia article on Kolhoz for whoever who has no idea what that means). Anyway, in that production I’m learning the ‘Accordionist’ and the ‘Ballet Dancer’ (for insiders: literally ouch concerning the latter one.)
So in two weeks we start performing Nutcracker. Then in two weeks of rehearsals follow, then we perform the Bright Stream at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC.
After DC we have one week of rehearsals and then go to London for a week of performing repertory works, where I’ll be debuting in the Lover in Antony Tudor’s ‘Jardin aux Lilas’ (or simply Lilac Garden) and…drum roll… the lead in Balanchine’s Theme & Variations.
So as you see there is a lot of work and rehearsals ahead of me. Nevertheless I’m excited and eager to get and keep going 
.
Oh and by the way I updated all of the aforementioned performances in my schedule, so feel to take a look!
Here are some (this time IMO rather uninspiring photographs) from my performance in Indianapolis this September. Enjoy.
06
Dec 2010
Hey there.
I know I’m super late with these photos, but better late than never, right? They were taken on our LA tour with ABT, where we performed Sleeping Beauty.
After that I’ve been to Tokyo, Frankfurt, Royan, New York, Vail, and am now back in Tokyo. So as you might guess there are quite a substantial number of pictures to come, so please stay tuned
I’m doing well actually, rehearsing currently the full-length DonQ with Tokyo ballet which I’ll be performing on August 20th and 22nd in the Youport hall! After that I continue in Taipei…but one set of pictures at a time
Hope all is well with everyone! Cheers!
11
Aug 2010
Well, I’m back from Chicago and back in New York. I was supposed to spend this week in Germany rehearsing and working with my parents on some stuff (since we have an ‘off’ week with ABT), but due to the volcano ashes I am here for good. To be honest I do not really mind it that much. It gives me a small and needed break before our MET season with ABT and some time to enjoy the city with spring weather and the opportunity to get back together with friends.
Nevertheless here is the sum-up of the Chicago tour. First the couple of reviews we received with ABT and then my photos. The photos are not what you might expect, just so you know 
Anyway here you go.
“In three breathtaking solo turns, Daniil Simkin (a dancer whose compact frame and airtight style are reminiscent of Baryshnikov’s) [...] made every gesture count and every moment pop in this quintessentially American street scene of a ballet. Glorious. “
- Hedy Weiss for the Chicago Sun-Times ,April 16, 2010
“Sparkly Daniil Simkin, a rising ABT spitfire, was electric as the first
sailor, flawless in the double spins and glissando-like split that
Robbins assigned the character.”
- Sid Smith for the Chicago Tribune ,April 16, 2010
“ABT is coming to town! In addition to a seven-performance run of Swan Lake (yes!), the New York-based troupe will present a one-night-only showcase of American choreographers. The All-American Celebration featuring works by Jerome Robbins, Paul Taylor and Twyla Tharp, is also the Chicago debut for 22-year-old soloist Daniil Simkin. This Russian-born wunderkind has exquisite technique, an inextinguishable creative curiosity and oodles of charm. Think of him as a mini Misha.”
- Vicki Crain for the Ruminations by a Rogue Ballerina Blog ,April 10, 2010
“[...]Now 22, Simkin makes his debut as one of three sailors in Robbins’ “Fancy Free” on Wednesday. “It’s iconic, and very American,” he says of the part…[...]“
- Sid Smith for the Chicago Tribune ,April 11, 2010
And here are the photos:
20
Apr 2010
