Confessions of a Forsythe Fangirl
- About the Ballet
Exploring William Forsythe’s work through the eyes of a dancer
William Forsythe’s choreography challenges how dancers interpret movement, offers new ways of approaching their process both onstage and in the studio, and elevates their understanding of the score. It’s a continuous exploration. These dancers shared their reflections on their experience working with him over the years here at SF Ballet—and why his choreography continues to captivate them.
“What I love about his movement is the extremeness of it. He loves reaching the extent of what you body can physically achieve.”
“Perhaps my favorite thing about working with Billy is the way his choreography allows you to connect to the music, much like a conductor or percussionist might. His movement structures encourage dancers to explore dynamics, counter-rhythms, and rubato in ways they might not have previously heard. I get to live out my wannabe musician dream! What an incredible privilege it is to have this consistently exploratory experience with his work — in this curiosity, there is always another way to listen, create, and physically embody the music.”
“Working with Bill has always been feeling like doing puzzles. When the process begins, it seems overwhelming and sometimes clueless to begin with. You first find your patterns and rhythm of your familiar physicality, but he will ask you to show him how you understand the mechanics, not just knowing the steps, which this can result the process to go back to square one. But after feeling like being taken apart and regroup yourself back together the ways you cannot imagine with the guidance from him, you then realized you are about to assemble the last piece of puzzle that is being free and playful with what you dance.”
“Bill is a master of masters...It’s so much fun to dance this piece. Everything is super quick and super fast. With Blake Works I’m just having fun. Even if I’m in the wings, I’m cheering on my friends. It’s always a good time dancing his work.”
“It always feels satisfying and rewarding performing Bill's work. His work is not a simple explanation of a physical style, but the result of a working process. After all the hard work, Bill will smile at you with ease saying, "It is classical Ballet that we are doing, but surprise the audience."
