The Endowment insider M AY | JUNE 2015 AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE: A HISTORY On the evening of January 11, 1940, the curtain rises on the inaugural performance of the American Ballet Theatre, when those privileged enough to be in the audience watched history being made. American Ballet Theatre: A History, co-produced by American Masters and award-winning filmmaker Ric Burns, chronicles the rise of the company from its earliest days as a small, financially struggling collective to its pinnacle as a crown jewel in the worldwide arts community. “The story of American Ballet Theatre, and the breathtaking rise of dance in the U.S. over the last three-quarters of a century, is one of the most inspiring stories in the cultural world,” says Burns. “And ABT, indisputably one of the greatest dance companies in the world, has torn down an incredible number of barriers, welcoming choreographers of every kind and dancers from around the world.” When the American Ballet Theatre was founded, the goal was to present the best ballets from the past and to encourage the creation of new works by gifted young choreographers. Under the direction of Lucia Chase and Oliver Smith, from 1940 to 1980, the company more than fulfilled that goal. The result was an extraordinary repertoire that encompassed all of the great ballets of the nineteenth century including Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Giselle ; the finest works from the early part of the 20th century such as Apollo and Les Sylphides; and acclaimed contemporary masterpieces such as Airs and Duets. “Ballet comes out of the basic soul of humanity,” says Kevin McKenzie, artistic director, ABT. “Before we knew how to speak, we communicated in physical expression. It’s that connection to creation; ultimately, that’s what it is. That someone has created something that resonates this deeply.” In-person interviews, rare archival footage and intimate rehearsal clips will take you behind the scenes where you’ll meet legendary artists pivotal to the company’s formation, contemporary luminaries and ballet icons such as Alicia Alonso, Donald Saddler, Frederic Franklin, Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine, Agnes de Mille, Twyla Tharp, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Misty Copeland and Hee Seo. When Burns began film production in 2006, he was given unprecedented access to the company. He and his crew shot hundreds of hours of original footage including dramatic live performances in Paris and Havana and grueling rehearsals at the flagship studio in New York City. You’ll be amazed as you watch the slow-motion footage of the dancers at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center in Tivoli, New York. It captures up to 2,500 frames per second and brings to life even the smallest movements from the delicate placement of a fingertip to the perfectly executed jeté. This film has something for everyone. If you’ve never been to a live ballet, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the sheer beauty of performance. If you’ve enjoyed many ballets throughout the years, you’ll treasure this film for all the memories it evokes and the new insights it offers. Airs Friday, May 15 at 9 p.m. Credits: Courtesy of Buddy Squires; Rosalie O’Connor; Kent G. Becker 2 The Endowment Insider The Homefront They are deployed thousands of miles from home — spending months or longer away from loved ones. More than two million men and women serve in America’s all-volunteer military force; another three million are their husbands, wives, sons and daughters. The Homefront brings you the stories of military families from all walks of life. As you meet them, you’ll learn firsthand how they cope with the difficulties of deployment, enjoy sweet moments of homecoming and face the challenges of reintegrating as a family after long absences. For military families, normal means something entirely different than it does to civilians: frequent separations, regular moves and constant adjustment. But these families also find unique rewards in the military lifestyle — a camaraderie and sense of purpose that can’t be found anywhere else. Airs Monday, May 25 at 9 p.m. Membership ETV Endowment 864-591-0046 [email protected] www.etvendowment.org ETV Endowment of SC 401 E. Kennedy St., Suite B-1 Spartanburg, SC 29302 Programming ETV and ETV Radio: 803-737-3200 or 800-922-5437 outside Columbia [email protected] www.scetv.org and www.etvradio.org A Word from … COBY HENNECY Dear ETV Endowment Member, Can you imagine what life would be like without ETV and ETV Radio? Well, I can’t imagine that any more than not having you as a member. Together we create a force for good that positively touches so many lives. This past year we’ve explored our universe, enjoyed an intimate family visit with the Roosevelts, celebrated the arts and given our children wholesome learning experiences. As you can see, over the coming weeks we’ll honor those who serve our country by telling their stories, take in great ballet and discover the important news of the day on ETV Radio. Every ETV and ETV Radio program leaves viewers and listeners better informed and richer artistically. Your support is the foundation for all we do. Thank you! Sincerely, Coby C. Hennecy, CPA Executive Director ETV Endowment of South Carolina of the story is the Nazi Attack on remarkable discovery America, a new NOVA/ of what happened to National Geographic German submarine special, takes you back U-166 in the summer to World War II and the of 1942. Captain battlefield at the doorHerbert G. Claudius, step of New Orleans. U.S. Navy Commander The Germans were so of escort vessel close they could see PC 566, attacked the cars on roadways three U-boat with depth miles away. Yet, very few charges and concluded people remember that that he had sunk or their underwater attacks mortally wounded caused immense damNOVA presents... the sub. However, the age, sinking more than Navy ruled that he had 600 ships right off our Nazi Attack missed U-166. What shores. on America the team found proved You’ll travel with that Claudius did in fact sink U-166. The renowned explorer and Titanic discoverer, U.S. Navy reopened the investigation and Robert Ballard, PhD, and his team as they set honor was finally bestowed upon the U.S. out aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus to naval officer with a Legion of Merit. reveal the watery graves of sunken vessels with vivid battle scars. The quality and detail of Airs Wednesday, May 6 at 9 p.m. the underwater video is awe-inspiring. You’ll witness exclusive interviews with German WWII submariners who talk Host, frankly about the Robert Ballard, PhD deadly operations and what life was like on these vessels. At the heart German wreck U-166 destroyed during World War II. Photo credits: Timelife Photos; Ocean Exploration Trust awards recognize the Two outstanding achievements and concerts in May will pay excellence in providing tribute to our veterans opportunities to our and troops in active nation’s veterans and service. military families. The National MemoSponsored by the rial Day Concert, an Friars Foundation, the American tradition, is awards and concert broadcast live from the were held at the John nation’s capital. Hosted F. Kennedy Center for by Joe Mantegna and Our Men and Women in Uniform the Performing Arts Gary Sinise, this musical Honored with extravaganza features Memories and Music Concert Hall. the National Symphony The concert features Orchestra, musical artists and actors. In addimusic and appearances by the tion to entertaining an audience in Washington American Military Spouses and millions of home viewers, the concert will Choir, Arturo Sandoval, Aloe be broadcast to troops around the world on Blacc, Nick Jonas, Gavin the American Forces Network and airs Sunday, DeGraw and other musical May 24 at 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m. stars. The Lincoln Awards: A Concert for Veterans Airs Friday, May 22 & the Military Family is new this year. The at 9 p.m. Photo credits: Courtesy of Capital Concerts; Michael Tammaro Jack Everly, Pops Conductor NATURE Reveals the Mysteries and Fascination of the Natural World hardships are all part of survival. “Animal Childhood” airs Wednesday, May 13 at 8 p.m. “The Sagebrush Sea” examines one of the most overlooked ecosystems on the continent that consists of sagebrush stretching across 11 states in the American West. The region supports more than 170 species of birds and mammals including the greater sage-grouse, which is found no place else. Thriving in this area is a constant battle — in addition to natural predators, they must also contend with wells and pipelines that tap resources buried deep below. “The Sagebrush Sea” airs Wednesday, May 20 at 8 p.m. Photo: Courtesy of ©Sam Gracey When humans raise children, it’s almost a lifetime commitment, but in the animal kingdom the norms are very different. NATURE’s “Animal Childhood” takes a look at how parents prepare their young to face the world. For some, there are no life lessons — mom leaves a few minutes after birth. Others are carefully nurtured for long periods of time. Harp seals are on their own after only two weeks. Baby rabbits leave the nest when they are about three weeks old. In contrast, elephants spend years with their moms, and orangutans have the longest childhood dependence on their mothers: babies nurse until they are about six years old. However, growing up is never easy, and finding food, avoiding danger and overcoming The Endowment Insider 3 E N C O R E P R E S E N TAT I O N Don’t miss an encore presentation of Ken Burns’ The Roosevelts: An Intimate History. This documentary chronicles the lives of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of the most prominent and influential family in American politics. It is the first time in a major documentary television series that their individual stories have been interwoven into a single narrative. The seven-part, fourteenhour film follows the Roosevelts for more than a century, from Theodore’s birth in 1858 to Eleanor’s death in 1962. Over the course of those years, Theodore would become the 26th President of the United States and his beloved niece, Eleanor, would marry his fifth cousin, Franklin, who became the 32nd President of the United States. Together, these three individuals not only redefined the relationship Americans had with their government and with each other, but also redefined the role of the United States within the wider world. The series encompasses the history the Roosevelts helped to shape: the creation of National Parks, the digging of the Panama Canal, the passage of innovative New Deal programs, the defeat of Hitler and the postwar struggles for civil rights at home and human rights abroad. It is also an intimate human story about love, betrayal, family loyalty, personal courage and the conquest of fear. Check scetv.org for program dates and times. SCETVNL0515 4 The Endowment Insider “I put my money into what I believe in.” — John Zeigler, Charleston, SC “I have to give. I use ETV and ETV Radio all the time!” When asked why they support the ETV Endowment, our donors shared the following: — Paul Morris, Charleston, SC “ETV offers very good and thoughtful programming. Whenever you watch commercial TV, your mind can be parked in neutral. But when you watch ETV, you have to put your mind in gear. ETV’s programs are entertaining and educational so they cause you to actually think!” “I love ETV because the programs get to the heart of an issue or situation; it’s an honest approach. Plus, there are no advertisements that interrupt programming.” — Reggie Brown, Florence, SC — J. Robert Strickler, Greenville, SC “If it were not for ETV, we wouldn’t even own a TV!” JOHN S. RAINEY — A donor from Kiawah Welcomes Three New Voices Each weekday morning at 11 a.m., Kate McKinney, the new host of Classical Music from ETV Radio, brings listeners a sampling of the entire spectrum of classical music live from the Wells Fargo Studio, as well as weather updates and information about arts events around the state. A recent graduate of the University of South Carolina, Kate earned a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and previously worked as an intern with the Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival and Spoleto Festival USA. Kate aims to provide an interactive experience for our listeners, so tweet a music request to #ClassicalSCETV! Tut Underwood, the new local host of Morning Edition, brings statewide news headlines to listeners from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. each weekday morning. A native of Alabama, Tut has a BA in Speech Communication from Auburn University and a Master of Mass Communications degree from the University of South Carolina. IN M EM ORY OF He previously served as a public information specialist for USC and Director of Public Information and Marketing for the South Carolina State Museum. His hobbies include reading, listening to music and collecting movies and old-time radio programs. Russ McKinney hosts Statehouse Week, ETV Radio’s legislative transparency program, which focuses on the House of Representatives and Senate sessions, House and Senate committee meetings, public hearings and other South Carolina government events. Russ has 30 years of experience in radio news and public affairs. He is a former broadcast news reporter in Spartanburg, Columbia and Atlanta who served as Press Secretary to former South Carolina Governor Richard Riley and the Chief Public Affairs Officer for the University of South Carolina. Statehouse Week airs statewide on Fridays at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m. and 1:33 and 5:45 p.m. Please join us in welcoming these new voices to ETV Radio! John S. Rainey, an attorney, philanthropist and decorated Vietnam War Veteran, was devoted to our state. His vision and leadership will have a lasting impact on ETV and ETV Radio, the ETV Endowment and South Carolina Educational Communications. In 1977, John provided pro-bono legal counsel to found the ETV Endowment of South Carolina. He served on the Endowment’s Board of Trustees from 1992 to 2000, serving as President from 19982000. Since 2000, he served as Chairman of the Board of SC Educational Communications, the Endowment’s production affiliate. John recognized ETV and ETV Radio as premier state assets and appreciated the role they play in communicating important issues. John was the Executive Producer on a number of documentaries that were broadcast in South Carolina and nationwide, including Corridor of Shame and Homestretch. He served as Executive Producer on the South Carolinians in World War II series and its accompanying Man and Moment series. However, the forthcoming A Seat at the Table may be his finest yet. This ETV documentary, to be broadcast in the fall of 2015, makes the case for moving beyond integration to race reconciliation in America. Mr. Rainey’s legacy will continue to live on in the productions of ETV and ETV Radio. While his loss is devastating to the Endowment and ETV families, we are forever grateful for his vision, leadership and friendship. Making It Grow Gets a New Look ETV’s ever popular, locally produced Making It Grow has a new look that is colorful, lively and welcoming — just like its host Amanda McNulty! Thanks to a generous donation from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and additional funding from the ETV Endowment, the series debuted its new set on February 11 after months of work with the design experts from Clemson’s Brooks Center for the Perfor- ming Arts. The new set provides an interactive opportunity for the audience; it feels like Amanda and her MIG team are inviting the audience into their home. The set includes a fully equipped kitchen for cooking demonstrations and a cozy fireplace and window seat. In addition to a redesigned set, the show has a new logo and theme music. Though Making It Grow has a new look, the show’s message remains the same — to educate and entertain audiences on the impact of our state’s agricultural industry while providing expert gardening and horticulture advice. Making It Grow is also celebrating a Telly Award for the recently produced segment on ArtFields. This latest award makes 11 Tellys and six Emmys for the series. Making It Grow, a mainstay of ETV’s programming for more than 20 years, is produced in partnership with Clemson University. Tune in on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on SCETV with repeats at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays on ETV’s South Carolina Channel.
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