THE MET: LIVE IN HD – VERDI’S AIDA

Angel Blue in the title role of Verdi's "Aida." Photo: Paola Kudacki / Met Opera

ACADEMY ICONS: SUSAN LACY—AUGUST WILSON

ACADEMY ICONS: SUSAN LACY
AUGUST WILSON: THE GROUND ON WHICH I STAND
WITH SUSAN LACY & SAM POLLARD

TICKETS $25 ($22.50 FOR MEMBERS)

Tony and Pulitzer-winning playwright August Wilson’s work is brought to life, including his seminal 10-play cycle chronicling each decade of the 20th-century African American experience and his awarded plays Fences and The Piano Lesson. Featuring interviews with Viola Davis, Lawrence Fishburne, James Earl Jones, and Susan Lori-Parks. Followed by a talk with Susan Lacy and director Sam Pollard.

Film Length: 1 hour, 30 minutes


Guild Hall introduces Academy Icons, a new program that spotlights Guild Hall Academy of the Arts members and their work. Inaugurating the series is Susan Lacy, an acclaimed director and producer best known for creating American Masters, the PBS biography series, which began in 1986, profiling artists and visionaries who have helped shape our country’s culture. Her subjects have included James Baldwin, Bob Dylan, Judy Garland, David Geffen, Lena Horne, Joni Mitchell, and hundreds more. American Masters garnered unprecedented awards over the years. Susan earned the series 71 Emmy nominations and 28 wins, including a remarkable ten for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series, in addition to 13 Peabody Awards, three Grammy Awards and a nomination, and an Academy Award and four nominations. Since moving to HBO in 2013, Susan has directed and produced Spielberg, Jane Fonda in Five Acts, Very Ralph, and executive produced The Janes, all for HBO Documentary Films. Among many other distinctions, Susan served as the Governor of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for eight years, is an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences member and a cherished member of Guild Hall’s Academy.

AN EVENING WITH BRANFORD MARSALIS

TICKETS $85-$165 ($76.50-$148.50 FOR MEMBERS)

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis, an NEA Jazz Master and Grammy winner, is a revered figure in contemporary music. For over three decades, his celebrated ensemble has delivered uncompromising interpretations of originals and classics. Experience the Quartet’s unparalleled virtuosity and passion for jazz.

G.E. SMITH’S PORTRAITS FEATURING YOLA

TICKETS $60-$125 ($54-$112.50 FOR MEMBERS)

Join iconic guitarist G.E. Smith in an unparalleled musical journey, featuring special guest YOLA. This series showcases duets, fostering raw conversations and stripped-down performances by exclusive artists. Immerse yourself in the soul of music in an intimate setting, where every note resonates with emotion and authenticity.

YOLA is Broadway’s new brightest star having replaced Ani Di Franco in Hadestown. Yolanda Claire Quartey, known professionally as Yola or Yola Carter, is an English singer-songwriter and musician. Her debut studio album, Walk Through Fire, received critical acclaim and earned her four Grammy Award nominations.

Yola is a six-time GRAMMY nominated artist, songwriter, and actor who has achieved critical acclaim, breakout success, and has been proclaimed as one of the most exciting and innovative artists in music today. NPR called her latest album, Stand For Myself (2021), the “best soul record of the past 20 years”, while Rolling Stone championed her as “one of contemporary pop’s greatest singers, who just so happens to also be one of its sharpest songwriters.”

The duo will be accompanied by Andy Hess on bass and Josh Dion on drums.

Doors open at 6:30 PM.

DATE CHANGE PENDING – GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS

Due to an unforeseen change in his schedule, George Stephanopoulos is no longer able to appear at Guild Hall this Sunday. We hope to reschedule, and ticket buyers will notified as soon as possible. Tickets purchased will be honored for a new date. Please stand by for further information.


TICKETS $25 ($22.50 FOR MEMBERS)
TICKETS + SIGNED BOOK $60 ($57.50 FOR MEMBERS)

Join George Stephanopoulos, the legendary political news host and former advisor to President Clinton, as he recounts the history-making crises from the place where twelve presidents made their highest-pressure decisions: the White House Situation Room—inspired by his new book The Situation Room, The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis.

The talk will be moderated by John Shea, Guild Hall Trustee and Senior Partner at Twomey, Latham, Shea, Kelley, Dubin, & Quartararo. It will be followed by a Q&A, and attendees must submit questions in advance for possible inclusion. Please email questions to info@guildhall.org.

AN EVENING OF SHORT PLAYS DIRECTED BY BOB BALABAN

2024: The Pursuit of Happiness
An Evening of Short Plays directed by Bob Balaban

TICKETS $70-$100 ($63-$90 FOR MEMBERS)

Guild Hall is pleased to host An Evening of Short Plays Directed by Bob Balaban on Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28 at 7 PM. Renowned actor, writer, and director Bob Balaban returns to the theater to curate and direct his second presentation of short plays by America’s finest playwrights.

Some of the selections include “Inner Baby” featuring Edie Falco and “Rash” featuring Jim Bracchitta from Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead by Eric Bogosian, “Seeking Wild” from Laughing Wild by the late Christopher Durang featuring Stephen Wallem, The Keepsake by Lynn Grossman featuring Richard Kind, “man – 40s” and “woman – 60s” featuring Blythe Danner from 10 X 10 Monologues by Neil LaBute, and Mr. Happiness by David Mamet featuring Alec Baldwin Saturday night only!

The cast includes Alec Baldwin (Saturday only), Jim Bracchitta, Blythe Danner, Edie Falco, Richard Kind, Stephen Wallem, and others to be announced.

NEW YORK CITY BALLET: ON AND OFFSTAGE

SOLD OUT

Don’t miss this unique and intimate look at New York City Ballet with Principal Dancers Unity Phelan and Adrian Danchig-Waring, who will co-host an informal evening of excerpts from the Company’s world- renowned repertory alongside insightful narration and demonstration.

With Elaine Chelton, Solo Pianist & Arturo Delmoni, Concertmaster

Excerpts will be performed from:

Apollo                                                                   
Taylor Stanley, Unity Phelan
Music by Igor Stravinsky                                          
Sara Adams, Alexa Maxwell
Choreography by George Balanchine

Divertimento No. 15                 
Sara Adams, Lauren Collett, Alexa Maxwell
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Choreography by George Balanchine*

Dances at a Gathering                                                      
Olivia Bell, Victor Abreu
Music by Frédéric Chopin                 
Choreography by Jerome Robbins                                    

The Cage                                                                                     
Alexa Maxwell
Music by Igor Stravinsky
Choreography by Jerome Robbins

Interplay                                                              
Lauren Collett, Victor Abreu
Music by Morton Gould                                      
Choreography by Jerome Robbins               

Symphony in 3 Movements                              
Sara Adams, Preston Chamblee
Music by Igor Stravinsky      
Choreography by George Balanchine*               

Love Letter (on shuffle)                                                                   
Taylor Stanley                                   
Music by James Blake
Choreography by Kyle Abraham                        

Love Letter (on shuffle)                                                                     
Olivia Bell
Music by James Blake
Choreography by Kyle Abraham

Year of the Rabbit                            
Indiana Woodward, Preston Chamblee
Music by Sufjan Stevens                              
Choreography by Justin Peck

Duo Concertant                                        
Indiana Woodward, Taylor Stanley
Music by Igor Stravinsky                              
Choreography by George Balanchine*

* © The George Balanchine Trust



TALENT BIOS

VICTOR ABREU is a member of New York City Ballet’s corps de ballet. Mr. Abreu was born in New York, New York and began his training at the age of 10 at New York Theatre Ballet under Diana Byer. He attended the summer courses at the School of American Ballet, NYCB’s official school, in 2014 and 2015 before entering SAB full-time for the 2015 winter term. In January 2019, Mr. Abreu was named an apprentice with NYCB and in May 2019 he joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet.

SARA ADAMS was born in Dennis, Massachusetts, and began her dance training at the age of six at the Mid-Cape Ballet Academy. She later studied at the Boston Ballet School, before taking a summer course at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, during the summer of 2003. She enrolled as a full-time student at SAB from 2003 to 2008. She became an apprentice with NYCB in June 2008 and became a member of the corps de ballet in September 2009. In February 2017, Ms. Adams was promoted to soloist.

OLIVIA BELL is member of New York City Ballet’s corps de ballet. She was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and began her dance training locally at age 2. She continued her training at The Dallas Conservatory under Jacqueline Porter, and at the Mejia Ballet Academy in Arlington, Texas, under Paul Mejia and Maria T. Balogh. Bell attended summer programs at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, in 2017 and 2018, before enrolling full-time at SAB for the 2018 winter term. She received additional training at summer programs at The Ailey School, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, the Chautauqua School of Dance, and Training Pointe with Debra Austin and Michele Gifford. Bell became an apprentice with NYCB in August 2022, and joined the corps de ballet in May 2023.

PRESTON CHAMBLEE was born in Wendell, North Carolina and began his dance training at the age of 14 at the Raleigh School of Ballet under Mary Legere and Pablo Perez. He continued his training at the International Ballet Academy in Apex, North Carolina from 2010 to 2013. Mr. Chamblee studied at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, during the 2012 and 2013 summer courses, and enrolled as a full-time student in 2013. Mr. Chamblee was named an apprentice with NYCB in August 2014 and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in February 2015. Mr. Chamblee was promoted to the rank of soloist in January 2022.

ELAINE CHELTON has performed at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, in Denmark, Paris, Russia, Hong Kong & Japan as a solo pianist for the New York City Ballet. She has premiered new ballets by Eliot Feld, Boris Eifman, Liam Scarlett & Robert Binet and has worked with Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon & Susan Stroman. She was featured in a PBS Broadcast of NYC Ballet Live at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris and has also performed at the Vail International Dance Festival of Dance & Dancer’s Workshop in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She studied piano with Zenon Fishbein, Morey Ritt & Leon Pommers and composition with Hugo Weisgall.

LAUREN COLLETT is a member of New York City Ballet’s Corps de Ballet. She was born in Glendora, California, and began her dance training locally at the age of four. At the age of eight, she started studying at Inland Pacific Ballet under Victoria Koenig, and in 2015, continued her training at the Colburn Dance Academy under Jenifer Ringer and James Fayette in Los Angeles, CA. She attended summer courses at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of NYCB, from 2013-2016, and entered SAB full-time for the 2016 winter term. Ms. Collett was named an apprentice with NYCB in November 2018 and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in November 2019.

ADRIAN DANCHIG-WARING was born in San Francisco, California. He began his dance training at the age of 11 at Dance Theatre Seven with David Roxander. Mr. Danchig-Waring entered the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, in the fall of 2001. In October 2002 he became an apprentice with New York City Ballet, and in June 2003 he joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet. In February of 2009 Mr. Danchig-Waring was promoted to soloist and became a principal in February 2013.

ALEXA MAXWELL was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and began her dance training at the age of four at Deanne’s Dance Studio. She later studied dance at other schools before enrolling at the Minnesota Dance Theatre for two years, where her teachers included Lise Houlton and NYCB alumna Gloria Govrin. In 2009, she began training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet studying under Marcia Dale Weary. During the summer of 2012, Ms. Maxwell attended a summer session at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, and enrolled as a full-time student later that same year. Ms. Maxwell became an apprentice with NYCB in December 2012 and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in November 2013. She was promoted to soloist in April 2023.

UNITY PHELAN was born in Princeton, New Jersey and began her dance training at the age of five at the Princeton Ballet School, where her teachers included Douglas Martin, Maria Youskevitch, and Mary Barton. During the summers of 2008 and 2009, Ms. Phelan attended the summer sessions at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, and enrolled as a full-time student in fall of 2009. She became an apprentice with NYCB in December 2012 and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in November 2013. In February 2017, Ms. Phelan was promoted to the rank of soloist, and in October 2021, she was promoted to principal dancer.

TAYLOR STANLEY was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and began their dance training at the age of three at The Rock School in Pennsylvania. They attended summer programs at Miami City Ballet in 2006 and 2007 and at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, during the summer of 2008 before enrolling full-time at SAB in the fall of that same year. In September 2009, Stanley became an apprentice with NYCB, and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in September 2010. They were promoted to soloist in February 2013 and to principal dancer in May 2016.

INDIANA WOODWARD was born in Paris, France and began her dance training at the age of ten at the Yuri Grigoriev School of Ballet in Venice, California. Ms. Woodward began studying at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, during the 2010 summer course and enrolled as a full-time student that fall. In August 2012, she became an apprentice with NYCB and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in December 2012. Ms. Woodward was promoted to the rank of soloist dancer in February 2017, and to principal dancer October 2021.



ABOUT NEW YORK CITY BALLET

New York City Ballet is one of the foremost dance companies in the world, with an unparalleled active repertory of more than 150 works—most of them created for NYCB—many of which are considered modern masterpieces. The Company was established in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and arts aficionado Lincoln Kirstein at the City Center of Music and Drama, and quickly became known for pure neo-classicism, which resonated with modern audiences. In 1949, Jerome Robbins joined the Company as Associate Artistic Director and, with Balanchine and many guest choreographers, created a varied repertory that grew each season. In 1964 NYCB moved to its current home at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater (formerly the New York State Theater), where it grew into one of the world’s great dance companies. Balanchine choreographed countless works and created a company of dancers known for their speed and musicality, serving as Ballet Master of NYCB from its inception until his death, in 1983. Following Balanchine’s death, Jerome Robbins and Peter Martins were named Co-Ballet Masters in Chief, and from 1990 until he retired in 2017, Mr. Martins assumed sole responsibility for the Company’s artistic direction. In 2009 Katherine Brown was named NYCB’s first-ever Executive Director, and in February of 2019, Jonathan Stafford was named Artistic Director of New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet, and Wendy Whelan was named Associate Artistic Director of New York City Ballet.

For more information about the Company and its 2024-25 Season, which begins on September 17, please visit www.nycballet.com.

NYCB ON SOCIAL MEDIA 
For Facebook, X and IG: @nycballet
For LinkedIn: @NewYorkCityBallet

COMEDIAN ZAINAB JOHNSON

TICKETS $40-$60 ($36-$54 FOR MEMBERS)

Zainab Johnson, raised in bustling Harlem as one of thirteen siblings in a black Muslim family, brings a riotous reflection of her unique upbringing to her humor. From teaching to starring in hit shows like Upload and 100 Humans, as well as her own Amazon Prime comedy special “Hijabs Off,” Zainab is set to make her Guild Hall debut in this must-see night of comedy.

Opening for Zainab is Sydnee Washington, New York-based comedian, actress, model, and podcaster. Emmy-nominated for Bridesman, the 2023 Winner of the Writers Guild of America Award, and host of the podcast Hobby Hunter, Sydnee is known for her sharp wit and engaging storytelling. 

STIRRING THE POT: DANIEL HUMM

STIRRING THE POT WITH FLORENCE FABRICANT:
DANIEL HUMM OF ELEVEN MADISON PARK

TICKETS $35 ($31.50 FOR MEMBERS)

Stirring the Pot kicks off with award-winning Chef Daniel Humm, the transformative chef and owner of Make It Nice and the highly acclaimed Eleven Madison Park. Chef Humm’s appearance is a repeat for Guild Hall, but the first time was when his EMP Summer House was in East Hampton. That is gone but he has become a Montauk homeowner. His Manhattan menu has notably shifted to be plant-based, which will be the topic of conversation, discussing the change, why it happened and what it has taken to achieve, with great advice for those in the audience who plan more vegan cooking and dining. His restaurant holds four stars from The New York Times and three Michelin Stars.

Attendees are invited to arrive at 10 AM for a breakfast by provided by Citarella.

SAM GREEN’S 32 SOUNDS

TICKETS $55-$95 ($49.50-$85.50 FOR MEMBERS)
 

Sam Green’s 32 Sounds is an immersive documentary and profound sensory experience that explores the elemental phenomenon of sound. The film is a meditation on the power of sound to bend time, cross borders, and profoundly shape our perception of the world around us.

 
32 Sounds will be presented in “live cinema”—a style that includes live performances, audio, and visual effects, designed to be an experience rather than just a screening. It will feature live narration by New York-based documentary filmmaker Sam Green and will be accompanied by musical performances by JD Samson and Michael O’Neill.
 
32 Sounds was awarded the Outstanding Nonfiction Feature at the Cinema Eye awards this past January and was featured on the Oscar prediction list in 2023.
 

STIRRING THE POT: GIADA DE LAURENTIIS

STIRRING THE POT WITH FLORENCE FABRICANT:
GIADA DE LAURENTIIS

TICKETS $35 ($31.50 FOR MEMBERS)

Florence is delighted to welcome chef + restaurateur, Giada De Laurentiis, Emmy award-winning TV personality, New York Times best-selling author, and founder of Giadzy, to Stirring the Pot. A frequent visitor to the Hamptons, this vivacious, globally revered celebrity chef will discuss her career, especially Giadzy, her line of Italian products just coming to market, including olive oils, pasta, sauces, condiments, and sweets, some with her label and others selected by her, now sold online. She will discuss her selections and how she cooks with them, as well as talk about her Las Vegas and Scottsdale restaurants, Giada.

Attendees will receive a special code to redeem a free box of pasta on Giadzy.com.

Attendees are invited to arrive at 10 AM for a breakfast by provided by Citarella.


 
Our neighbor and sponsor invite you to head over to LDV at the Maidstone for a traditional summer clambake in the garden. 
 
Sunday, August 4th, 3-9 PM
$120, plus tax & gratuity
 
Tickets include a welcome glass of rose from the Wölffer Estate wine truck and a menu featuring oysters, lobster, clams, shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes, coleslaw, fruit, and dessert. After dinner, enjoy a complimentary cigar from Civil Pleasures, who will be popping up in the back garden.