Auditorium Theatre 2019-2020 American Ballet Theatre

14 | AUDITORIUM THEATRE 2019-20 | March 10 - May 5, 2020 Stella Abrera as Clara, the Princess in The Nutcracker . cont. from pg. 12 ROSALIE O'CONNOR See Stella Abrera performing with American Ballet Theatre March 19-22, 2020! SA: It has been a passion of mine to help children gain access to education in the Philippines. I’ve had the opportunity to curate galas, bringing ABT dancers to the Philippines. These special experiences are made even more meaningful because these galas benefit CENTEX Schools, which provide education for gifted children who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. We visit these schools and meet these remarkable children, and we find that those visits are always the highlight of the trip. I was so moved when a CENTEX school in the province of Batangas built a new dance studio on their campus in my name (The Stella Abrera Dance and Music Hall). I strongly believe that the discipline and structure children learn in the dance studio can only be beneficial for their futures, whether or not they continue into a life in the arts. AUD: You recently took on the title of Artistic Director at Kaatsbaan, the cultural park for dance in Tivoli, NY. What will you be doing in this new role? SA: As Artistic Director at Kaatsbaan, I will continue serving the dance community, just from the other side of the proscenium. Sitting on 153 breathtaking acres on the Hudson River, just two hours north of New York City, Kaatsbaan provides artists with inspiring residencies to create new works. It’s also one of the biggest presenters of dance outside of NYC. Through programming, I will strive to continue Kaatsbaan’s legacy of encouraging artistic innovation, as well as providing another performance venue for excellent artists and their companies. Along with a great team, we hope to develop educational programs to engage the community and provide the dance world with more resources from which to find support. AUD: This is the last time that Chicago audiences will see you perform with American Ballet Theatre! What are some of your favorite things to do in the city? SA: It’s not a complete trip to Chicago without a delectable visit to Avec, a walk through Millennium Park, or time spent in the Art Institute. Thank you for being such an integral part of ABT’s history. I cherish all the many wonderful memories, Chicago!