[infobox]Season 2 of Interview En L’air starts with Amanda Bennett, The Artistic Director of the Prix de Lausanne and the Ballettschule Theater Basel[/infobox]

 

I met Amanda when I joined the company in Basel. The Basel Theater School is also in the theater, we even share some studios. I noticed an American accent right away. I introduced myself of course, and so was the first, of many great conversations. Amanda is so easy to talk to. We got along right away. Her passion for the school is evident. She wants the best for those kids! I asked her once, what modern techniques did she teach at her school, to which she replied “steps-you-might-actually-see-at-an-audition Technique.” We both had such a laugh! AND…who could walk away from those eyes! Mesmerizing! I don’t even know what color they are… And I swear it changes!? Can that be???

You can imagine my surprise when on the next Wednesday morning, she was teaching the class for the company! Her class is great. It is nice that we get to have her as a guest teacher. Sometimes she has a Balanchine flavor which I love! A tricky petite allegro, or a fast, musical tendu is good for my soul…whenever I see her walk into the room before class I crack a little smile… Sometimes it’s funny because she is just coming in to grab the TV cart or something… as she leaves… I frown.

She is so clear, when she teaches, you can see she has been doing this for a long time. This may sound weird, but not all teachers are good at showing steps. Especially in classical ballet. I find some teachers make up great combos, but rush or aren’t clear in showing the steps. Mandy, as we call her, has got it down. She doesn’t take extra time, it’s just flows somehow. While dancers must be awake and fast in learning, doing it right the first time saves time later. After all, as a teacher said to me, it is not a race.

Amanda is from Texas, USA. She studied at the School of American Ballet in New York. She danced with Ballet du Grand Théater de Genéve, under the directorship of Patricia Neary and George Balanchine. From 1978 – 1989 Amanda was a Principal Dancer with the Basler Ballett, under director Heinz Spoerli. From 1989 – 1990 Amanda was with the Pennsylvania Ballet. Amanda has worked as a guest teacher, ballet mistress and choreographic assistant for, among others: The Feld Ballet N.Y., Ballet du Grand Theater de Genéve, Luzerner Ballett, Bern Ballett, and Ballet Freiburg Pretty Ugly.

In July 2007 Amanda was a member of the jury for the McDonalds Performing Arts Challenge in Sydney Australia and in 2009 served as a member of the jury for the Prix de Lausanne. Amanda has been the director of the Ballettschule Theater Basel and teacher for Ballett Basel since 2001 and assumed the Artistic Directorship of the Prix de Lausanne in 2012.

I wanted to start the 2nd season with Amanda because, I admire her for what she does and how she does it. Even though she has TWO big jobs, she always keeps her cool…and her sense of humor.


When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to do what you’re doing now?

I always wanted to be a dancer. Even when I didn’t know what that was, I wanted to be a dancer. For my 8th birthday my grandparents offered me a gift of any type of „lessons“ I wanted to take and I chose ballet. And then when was ten or eleven years old my ballet teacher said to me “Mandy don’t you want to go to New York and be a ballet dancer?” I didn’t quite understand what that meant, but I said yes!


 Amanda’s favorite things


 

Favorite Things to eat?

I like to eat. Steak…good steak. I love French fries. I love pecan pie. I love Italian food, the best place in the world to eat is in Italy.

Favorite Books?

The Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell. I’ve read it like three times.

Favorite Movies?

I have fond memories of Gone with The Wind, it was the first movie I could actually see. I got my glasses when I was eight years old and my grandmother took me to the cinema and it was Gone With The Wind. The first time the screen was clear!

Favorite Dance Piece or Show/Musical or both?

It’s very hard…I love the Balanchine repertoire. But, I like anything that’s “good“, meaning anything that draws me in and takes me away.


I like dancers who…

Intelligent, musical, conscience, responsible for their actions, who love their art form and manage to remain above politics. Above all, I love dancers that when you watch them, they take you to another place. A place that‘s good for your soul.


 

I am afraid of…

I grew up in Texas. We had scorpions for “show and tell”. With that said, I am afraid of losing people I love.

[evidence]The moment she said that, all the power went out, we had to take a break until it was restored. freaky-[/evidence]

 


 

A dance piece should…

I love pieces that are well crafted. I like to see the thought process and the detail of the work and the musicality – and it should draw you into another world.


 

Something you like to do other your current job?

I love to shop. I love shopping. I don’t necessarily buy things, but I love to look. I like to travel. I like to sit and just veg out. I love to go to the mountains with my husband – he skies and I enjoy the peace and quite. I love to sit in my garden and read with a glass of red wine. I think enjoy that the most.


One of the happiest moments in your life?

After not seeing my future husband for a year. I finally was reunited with him in Basel.


 

One of the most embarrassing moments in your professional career?

Probably when I fell into the orchestra pit. I wasn’t dancing actually… I was bowing. Heinz yelled from the side of the stage “run forward!”. I am really near sighted and I thought there were at least 2 meters of the stage still in front of me. Luckily we were holding hands and I as stepped off the edge of the stage into the pit my partner grabed me by my my arm and I dangled over the pit instead of actually falling into it. The whole audience gasped!


 

Who has been the most influential person/people in your life? or Career? and why?

My Grandfather was a big influence on me. Also I think the experience of going to The School of American Ballet when Balanchine was still alive. Being around him in even the smallest way was a huge influence. All of the choreographers I had the good fortune to work with such as Hans Van Manen. I learned a lot from him and Heinz Spoerli. They both have an amazing attention to detail. I guess everyone you work with is an influence. Hopefully you take something from everyone.


 

One of the hardest things about your job?

As a school director the hardest thing is dealing with parents. Sometimes they just simply have no idea about what we do and what their children are trying to do. It’s hard to make them understand. Being director of the Prix De Lausanne is a pleasure. The Prix staff is fabulous and the dance world is very generous.


 

Three words to describe yourself?

I am who I am…..Stubborn, Ambitious, Sentimental


Dear aspiring artists,

Develop a huge amount of resilience. A fair but critical eye for yourself. Above all try to laugh sometimes. Keep your feet on the ground. When it gets tough don’t take it out on yourself.

–Amanda Bennett

 Photo Journal


 

rehearsal with Heinz

Rehearsal with Heinz.

Before Nightfall - Nils ChrisiteBefore Nightfall by Nils Chrisite

Concerto Barocco - BalanchineConcerto Barocco by George Balanchine

Fille-mal-gardee---cover

Fille - Spoerli - Charles MapleFille by Heinz Spoerli  with Charles Maple

Five Tangos Hans van Manen

Five Tangos by Hans van Manen

Fille mal gardee - Spoerli

Fille mal gardee -by Heinz Spoerli

Serenade---Balanchine---OtoSerenade by George Balanchine

Grosse Fuge - Hans van Manen
Grosse Fuge by Hans van Manen


To find out more information on Amanda, check out the B2B website. Have you worked with Amanda? Have you seen her perform? Help me say thank you by sharing your stories in the comments below. Thank YOU for reading!


 

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