the final pas de deux from The Two Pigeons and
Méditation from Thaïs.
“I’ve been very fortunate,” Webb says. “The
people of Sarasota have opened their hearts. They
appreciate what I’m trying to do here. And as a
result of our company’s success, we’ve been to
New York City four times, Washington DC twice,
as well as the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. The
dancers and everyone involved feels the same
way I do about it—we’re representing the state of
Florida. We’re showing the culture of our area.”
When asked what brought Webb to The Sarasota
Ballet 11 years ago, he jokes that it was “the
sunshine and the beach.” But he quickly adds
that in those 11 years, he’s only been to the beach
four times. What really drew him was that all the
other similarly-sized companies were doing the
same works. The Sarasota Ballet offered a chance
for something unique—they had an interest in
presenting a wider, more eclectic repertoire.
Thanks to Webb’s relationships with some of the
biggest names in the dance world, they’ve been
able to expand the repertoire and do things like
bring in Sir Anthony Dowell for 10 days to coach
the dancers. “I learned more from him during
those 10 days then I did during my time with him
in the same company, and he was our director!”
says Webb. “Both Margaret his wife and former
principal of The Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet who
now serves as Assistant Director of The Sarasota
Ballet and I know that we’ve got something really
special, really unique here in Sarasota.”
One of the most difficult aspects of Webb’s work
is auditioning new dancers. For each of the last
three years, 600+ dancers tried out for the few
available spots. 600+! “I take it as a big compliment
that so many want to come and work with The
Sarasota Ballet,” he says. “It’s basically one person’s
decision about who gets hired. And it’s made off
maybe two hours in the studio. I always tell them
all ‘please understand that it’s just my opinion.
Others might see things differently.’”
The upshot is this. The Sarasota Ballet is making
us proud. Again. And if I were a betting man, the
next time I get asked to write about their education
programming or other bread-and-butter topic, a
new WOW opportunity will likely emerge and
insist on stealing the show.
Well done, The Sarasota Ballet. Well done, Iain
Webb. Well done indeed.
For more information on The Sarasota Ballet, please
visit www.sarasotaballet.org or call 941.359.0099.
42 SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2018
“It’s unheard of to be
brought back (to the
Joyce Theater) so
soon. It stems from the
interest New York
City has in what we’re
doing.”
-Iain Webb
/www.sarasotaballet.org