Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida Opens Season, Gives Sneak Peek at Encounter Sessions
- Admin
- Oct 13
- 4 min read
Friday, October 10, 2025
By Marvin Glassman, Arts Writer
Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida showcased its 28th season by inviting the public to attend an “encounter session” to experience how the ABTF dancers prepared for each of its four scheduled programs in rehearsal at the ABTF studio in North Miami Beach.
The sixty people who attended the 45-minute rehearsal watched the 21 professional ABTF dancers perform segments of “Firebird,” the featured neo-classical ballet in Program I (in addition to three other dances) to be performed Saturday, Oct. 11 at Aventura Arts and Cultural Center in Aventura.
“I want the public to be aware of how the dancers prepare both mentally and physically for the programs by attending the rehearsals,” said Vladimir Isaac, artistic director and founder of ABTF.
“By seeing the spontaneity and joy that the dancers exhibit in rehearsal, those attending get a briefing of how exciting the programs will be once they attend the shows,” added Isaaev.
The 21 professional dancers showcased a variety of neoclassical dance techniques in the encounter session, including pas de deux sequences and a number of high jumps by ABTF principal dancer Remina Tanaka that dazzled those in attendance.
“I am very grateful for everyone enjoying our rehearsal today and for supporting what we all live and love to do, dance to inspire,” said Tanaka after the rehearsal. When not on stage dancing, Tanaka accompanies the dancers as a pianist.
Those attending the encounter session learned more about the professional and private lives of the dancers as they answered questions and took photos with the audience.
“The dancers are the heart and soul of what our company is about and not everyone understands the sacrifice that dancers make to support the love of their work by taking on outside jobs to sustain themselves,” said Ruby Isaaev. Executive Director of ABTF.
ABTF is planning three more audience encounter rehearsal sessions a week prior to its remaining programs this season in addition to 30 minute talkbacks at selected shows featuring conversations with Vladmir Isaaev and ABTF dancers.
“By seeing our rehearsals in the studio and having the talkbacks prior to the shows allows the audiences to have a deep appreciation and understanding of neoclassical ballet and why dance is a beautiful way for all of us to express ourselves,” said Vladimir Isaaev.
In addition to “Firebird,” the three other neoclassical ballets to be featured in Program I are “Double Clef," “Glinka Suite Fantastique” and “Talisman Pas de Deux.”
Originally choreographed by Isaaev for ABTF 25 years ago. “Firebird” is a fairy tale about the heroic Prince Ivan who defeats the evil sorcerer Koschei to free Princess Tsarevna from his spell with the help of a mystical creature called “Firebird”.
“The score by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky is moving and our dancers create the story, supported by the costumes by Jorge Gallardo, the sets by Jim Hammond and the backdrops by Elena Bond,” said Isaaev.
“Double Clef” by Venezuelan choreographer Vicente Nebrada is an ensemble ballet for 13 couples, with each ballet couple representing a musical instrument.
“The ballet is set to the music of British composer Benjamin Britten with the dance representing harmony,” said Isaaev.
“Glinka Suite Fantastique,” another neoclassical ballet choreographed by Isaaev, features three men and six women highlighting their technique and musicality.
“Talisman Pas de Deux,” choreographed by Russian choreographer Marius Petipa with music by Riccardo Drigo is a classical ballet set in India featuring dancers that explores the tension between divine duty and human desire.
Following Program I, Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida continues its 28th season in Program II with its annual “The Nutcracker” to be performed from Dec. 12-14 at Aventura Arts and Cultural Center and from Dec 19-21 at The Parker in Ft. Lauderdale. Program III featuring the children’s ballet “Dr. Ouch” by Russian author Kornei Churkowsky and choreographed by Isaaev will be performed Mar. 7-8 at Aventura Arts and Cultural Center and on Mar. 14 at Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Ft. Lauderdale, ABTF closes its season with Program IV “Spring Gala” featuring five short ballet pieces to be performed on May 2 at Broward Center for the Performing Arts and May 3 at Aventura Arts and Cultural Center.
