Royal Ballet’s New Star Marcelino Sambé On How He Got Into Dance

“It was hilarious. I showed up in tracksuit and trainers, didn’t know what ballet was. The atmosphere was sterile, the other kids were preppy and well prepared. I was nothing of the kind. But I could do the splits and I remember I kept doing the splits repeatedly [he laughs].” The panel was not impressed. “Then came the special moment when they asked us just to dance. – The Guardian

Does Putting Students Into Reading Levels Discourage Reading?

“Quantifiable measurements give students, teachers and administrators the confidence and assurance of “progress”: There is a sense of comfort in advancing from one designated level to the next. But reading is not a science. When we place significant value on quantifiable measures, we also might be pushing readers away from an intrinsic love of reading — and ignoring the great complexity of literature that is simply immeasurable.” – Washington Post

Lighting Projection Design Is Changing More Than Broadway And Big Regional Theatres

Projection design is that cool part of theatre where – poof! – an entire kingdom can freeze over, as in the Broadway and touring versions of Frozen, or where, in Anastasia, “a stage-spanning LED wall displays landscapes that move in tandem with [a] train.” And it’s more portable than a huge, multi-part set, too. – Los Angeles Times

Breaking All The Rules Of The Tango To Make It Better, And To Make It Safe

Argentine feminists are fed up with the patriarchal, rigid roles of traditional tango, and they’ve published a new protocol that breaks old rules – and reinforces new ones. “The protocol provides suggested guidelines for tango venue organizers, including acceptance of couples who depart from heteronormative roles. It also offers guidance on how to handle instances of harassment and abuse, advising, for instance, that men accused of acting inappropriately on the dance floor be asked to leave.” – The New York Times

Marcello Giordani, Italian Tenor Of Beauty, Has Died At 56

Giordani sang hundreds of performances at the Met and, at a relatively young age, stepped back from the spotlight and began to mentor younger singers. He was the son of a prison guard who owned a gas station. He said, “That’s mostly where I made my debut, making coffee. … “People still remember me when I was 12 or 13, singing or bringing coffee.” Yahoo News (AP)