The Ballet Manila Archives is the repository of documents, print, photographic, audio and video materials and memorabilia relating to the history of Ballet Manila and the life and career of its founder, prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. This site is powered by Ms. Elizalde and Project Art, Inc.
The pioneers of Modern Dance wanted to break away from traditional ballet and hence the genre pushes beyond the rules and structured nature of Classical Ballet.
Sleeping Beauty is special to Lisa for a lesser known reason.
Mime is used in Classical Ballet to communicate the essence of the story without the need to speak.
The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet has started offering a full slate of classes that it used to hold in its two branches, in Donada, Pasay and in Fisher Mall, Quezon City, and even new courses.
I’d rather learn from one bird how to sing than teach 10,000 stars how not to dance.
This clip from the 2001 tour is an excerpt of Jojo Lucila’s Sari’t Bahag, a Filipino choreography based on a Philippine folk tradition performed by Filipino dancers trained in the Russian technique and dancing at the Maly Theater in Russia to an appreciative Russian audience.
Ballet ribbons are used to secure ballet shoes or pointe shoes to the foot, tied in a criss cross over the instep.
Dance even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.
It marked the first collaboration between choreographer Augustus "Bam” Damian III with the company - the first of many that would become iconic pieces for Ballet Manila.
A pas failli is known as a transitional step as it usually prepares for another jump.
After enduring two months of enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, people are already looking forward to the day when it will finally be lifted. Members of the Ballet Manila family are no exception.
Life is like dancing. If we have a big floor, many people will dance. Some will get angry when the rhythm changes. But life is changing all the time.
In an art form dominated by women, Ballet Manila holds a distinction for having a surplus of male dancers.
Port de bras is a classical ballet term meaning “carriage of the arms”.
For some, this challenging time has become more bearable with a little help from their pets.
There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good.
Ballet Manila soloist Joshua Enciso is a big fan of the Step Up dance movies, but his absolute favorite is Step Up Revolution.
De côté is a directional ballet term used to describe another step to be performed to the side.
Don Quixote is a staple in Ballet Manila’s repertoire. This clip from 2004 features Lisa and Shaz as Kitri and Basilio celebrating their love with a spirited dance for two.
