 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Antonia Franceschi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | March 30, 1960 Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Education | Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School High School of Performing Arts |
| Alma mater | American Ballet Theatre |
| Occupations |
|
| Known for | Fame New York City Ballet |
| Website | antoniafranceschi |
Antonia Franceschi (born March 30, 1960) is an American dancer, choreographer and actor.
Franceschi was one of the last generations selected by George Balanchine to join The New York City Ballet. She is a Time Out Award winner for Outstanding Achievement In Dance.
She is also known for her dance performances in the film musicals Fame and Grease. She subsequently danced under George Balanchine in New York. She recently choreographed Dr Semmelweis to five star critical acclaim and sold-out audiences at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre directed by Tom Morris starring Mark Rylance. “The use of ballet dancers is equally moving: they dance as a young woman dies in childbirth – and this is not sentimental, it ambushes you (the fabulous choreography is by Antonia Franceschi)”[1]
She choreographed Othello directed by Claire van Kampen for The Globe Theatre as well as Idaspe for Pittsburgh's Byham Theater, Quantum Theater and Chatham Baroque, and was movement director at The Park Theatre, again with director van Kampen.
She danced in Jess and Morgs film “An Evening With Taglioni”, as Taglioni.
Franceschi created and produced New York Ballet Stars performing at The Queen Elizabeth and Royal Festival Halls, touring both The Harrogate and Sintra Festivals. She was an advisor for The South Bank Center for five years, programming.
She has choreographed extensively for British and American companies.
Franceschi has been a judge on BBC's Young Dancer competition. She was invited by Boris Charmatz to dance in Musée De La Dance at the Tate Modern.
Franceschi has taught and teaches The Royal Ballet, The New York City Ballet, Rambert Dance, DV8, Juilliard, Alvin Ailey, Joffrey and Rambert Schools, among others.
The Soho Theatre performed her autobiographical play Up From The Waste directed by Nancy Meckler (London’s West End Four Stars, Telegraph). She received a grant for POP8 for The Lion and Unicorn Theatre where she collaborated with Mark Baldwin, Zoe Martlew, and Ballet Black. Franceschi was interviewed for the book Balanchine, Then and Now, and has been a guest on Woman's Hour.
Works have been created for her by Balanchine, Robbins, Martins, Lubovitch, Baldwin, McGregor, Clarke, Armitage, Phillips, and van Laast. Before joining NYCB she danced in Makarova and Company and was partnered by Sir Anthony Dowell.
She was Rehearsal Director for The Royal Opera Houses’ Other Stories with Wendy Whelan and Edward Watson, as well as Associate Choreographer for Arlene Philips duet for Candoco. and now works as a choreographer and dance company director, dividing her time between the United Kingdom and the USA.[2][3]