“ARTFUL CONVERSATIONS”
AN INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT DE WARREN –
SPANNING HIS LIFE AND DANCE CAREER — PRESENTED BY METV
Robert de Warren Dr. Sherry Lawrence
Beginning with his childhood in Argentina and Uruguay, de Warren discusses
how he met his wife of 60-years, Jacqueline, in ballet class when he was 18.
He traces his abrupt transition from banking in Uruguay to a professional career
as a principal dancer and developing choreographer at The Royal Ballet in London.
The candid interview, produced by Charles Clapsaddle of METV, is the first in
a series of “Artful Conversations,” hosted by Dr. Sherry Lawrence. “Artful Conversations” with Robert de Warren” can be viewed on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agBGK1bnSL8
The interview covers Robert de Warren’s friendship with Rudolf Nureyev, and
the influence Nureyev had not only on de Warren, but the entire dance world.
He discusses Nureyev’s impoverished roots in Russia, and eventually his dramatic defection.
In the 52-minute interview de Warren expounds on various ways in which the
dance world has changed since he was a principal dancer, the influence of athleticism and dance training in the 21st century, the longevity of professional dancers, and why so few American men consider dancing as a profession.
De Warren describes his seven-year tenure as director and artistic supervisor of ballet at La Scala in Milan, and the reasons he resigned to become the artistic director of the Sarasota Ballet, a position he held for 13-years. He elaborates
on the challenges he faced at the Sarasota Ballet and his many accomplishments.
The interview also covers de Warren’s projects after leaving Sarasota Ballet, including the founding of Sarasota International Dance Festival (SIDAF), which produced the Carreño Dance Festival and Summer Intensive from 2011-2013 and
in 2014, the performance “LIFTED,”showcasing exponents of contemporary dance from Europe and North/South America.
In February 2016, Robert de Warren received awards from the city and counties of Sarasota, Florida, in recognition of his outstanding artistic contributions to Sarasota and international arts communities. Coinciding with the award presentation ceremony, February 18, 2016 was declared as “Robert de Warren Day.”
A second METV interview in the “Artful Conversations” series is planned in 2016, focusing on Robert de Warren’s life and career in Iran from 1965 to 1977, where he was ballet master and choreographer of the Iranian National Ballet, founder and director of Mahalli Dancers of Iran, and choreographer of the Tehran Opera.
