The petite American, who joined the State Ballet as a soloist last season, was already a stroke of luck there in the title role of “Giselle”. The premiere of “Cinderella”, which she danced touchingly gracefully, became her breakthrough in Munich: ballet director Igor Zelensky made her principal. At the Ballet Festival Week she can now be seen, among other things, in the new production “Passages”.
Monday: Wacky story
Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi classic “A Clockwork Orange” starring Malcolm McDowell is one of the dancer’s favorite films.
(Photo: Mary Evans/Imago Images)
Final rehearsal week before the start of Ballet Festival Week. We’re rehearsing several works at the same time because we’re dancing seven different pieces in nine days. This is not only a physical challenge, but also a mental one. During the break, I get a coffee and my favorite snack, a Panino classico, from “Aran” on Theatinerstrasse. I end the day in the bathtub with the book “A Clockwork Orange” by Anthony Burgess – the original version is totally crazy, especially in terms of language, and certainly not bedtime reading. But very exciting. I also love Stanley Kubrick’s film of the same name.
Tuesday: parade role
On March 30, Madison Young will dance in “Swan Lake” at the National Theater.
(Photo: M.-L. Briane/Bavarian State Ballet)
There are several stage rehearsals on the rehearsal schedule today, this time in costumes and with an orchestra. I’m also rehearsing the title role of Swan Lake, the signature role of every dancer I get to dance at the National Theater on March 30th. After a long day of rehearsals, I walk up to the university district with a few colleagues, we want to go to the “Lost Weekend”. Especially when there is live music, I really like the chilled atmosphere there. Also, the people are really nice and relaxed.
Wednesday: Special furniture
Used home accessories and vintage furniture from all eras are available in the “Reterior Fabrik” in Unterföhring.
(Photo: Rear Factory)
Business as usual first thing in the morning: training, rehearsals, physio, and a coffee in between. During the rehearsal break I would like to go to the “Reterior Fabrik” in Unterföhring, I have a thing for interior design and shabby chic furniture. Maybe I’ll discover a cool chair or something else nice. The ambience alone relaxes me, it’s a good change from everyday work. In the evening I finally watch “The French Dispatch” on Disney+, unfortunately I missed it in the cinema recently, but it should be well worth seeing.
Thursday: nature and silence
A place to relax is also the Ammersee with its picturesque sunsets, like here in the Herrsching Bay.
(Photo: Franz-Xaver Fuchs)
This day also begins in the morning with daily training, followed by numerous rehearsals. If there is some time later in the afternoon, I drive out to the Ammersee for an hour and enjoy the nature and the silence at dusk. For me, lakes are places where I can find peace; especially if they are not as crowded as they are now. And fortunately there are many lakes in Bavaria. In the evening I treat myself to a pizza at the best Italian in town, the “nineOfive” in Schwabing. And whether it’s pizza to go or a relaxing evening in the restaurant: this location is always recommended!
Friday: wine or no wine
Madison Young likes to enjoy a glass of Franconian wine in the “Frank Weinbar”. On the evening before the premiere, however, she limits herself to a snack.
(Photo: Catherine Hess)
Today is the dress rehearsal of “Passagen”, our new three-parter. After the stage run, there are final correction rehearsals with the choreographers. I am very grateful to be able to work with greats like David Dawson, it will also be very exciting for the viewers. In the evening I’ll make a detour to the “Frank Weinbar” on Residenzstrasse and have a bite to eat. Unfortunately, I have to be very careful with the wine today on the evening before the premiere, but otherwise the German wines there are really highly recommended!
Saturday: Spring in the Park
Before the premiere, the American takes it easy, for example with a walk through the Luitpoldpark.
(Photo: Catherine Hess)
premiere day! Today there are two premieres as part of the new production “Passagen”: “Affairs of the Heart” by David Dawson and “Sweet Bones’ Melody” by Marco Goecke. So I’ll start the day calmly, do a little yoga and Pilates at home and go to the Luitpoldpark to get some fresh air. Especially in spring, when the plants are fresh, I find it beautiful there and not as crowded as, for example, in the English Garden. And then: keep your fingers crossed for a great start to the Ballet Festival Week 2022! My first ever, because the last two were unfortunately canceled due to the pandemic.
Sunday: Stroll in Schwabing
The “Occam Deli” restaurant on Feilitzschstraße is the perfect starting point for a stroll through Schwabing.
(Photo: Florian Peljak)
After the premiere, I’m looking forward to sleeping in today. Later in the morning, I meet up with a friend at the “Occam Deli” on Feilitzschstrasse for an early lunch – or for a late breakfast, they also have delicious cakes there. We’ll chat a bit and then stroll through Schwabing. I love just walking into a certain neighborhood and discovering exciting locations without planning. My favorite way to get to know cities is to “get lost in a structured way”. Then I head back to the theater to make it to the warm-up and make-up on time.
Madison Young was born in Utah, USA. She received her training at Ballet West Academy and Houston Ballet Academy in Texas. In the 2016/17 season, she joined the Houston Ballet’s junior company and was promoted to corps dancer. After an engagement at the Vienna State Ballet under the direction of Manuel Legris, she came to the Bavarian State Ballet at the beginning of the 2020/21 season and impressed in various role debuts. Ewa in George Balanchine’s abstract classical ballet “Jewels”, as “Giselle”, “Cinderella” and in “Swan Lake”. In the ballet classic to the music of Tchaikovsky she can be seen again in the National Theater on March 30th.