#HASHTAG

#HASHTAG

EDITED BY DUSTIN O'REGAN ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

SUZANNE LOPEZ has been appointed as Abbott Academy Director of the Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet. Lopez takes over this new role after 19 years as a Company Artist, 14 years as Academy Faculty, and most recently, seven years as Rehearsal Director. Educated by Joffrey Ballet co-founders Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, Lopez intends to embrace Joffrey's founding principles into the curriculum of the Academy and its Pre-Professional and Trainee Programs, leading it into a new area of excellence and elevating its reputation as a premier institution for dance education. As Abbott Academy Director of the Joffrey Academy of Dance, Lopez leads the growth and development of the Academy as a world-class destination for students, implementing curricula and cutting-edge artistic programming for every Academy age and division. Lopez recently set aside her many duties to share how she stays current in the dance world.

#ON MY NIGHTSTAND

In anticipation of the Joffrey's 68th season opener, I am refamiliarizing myself with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I have been trying to read more from female authors, so this book serves two purposes. The Joffrey Ballet is bringing an acclaimed adaptation of the iconic novel to the Lyric Opera stage this October. It will be a full-length, captivating performance. I especially can't wait to see how the Joffrey artists interpret this work and witness it all come together on stage.

#ON MY MOBILE

In my new role as Academy Abbott Director, I am focusing on the Joffrey Academy of Dance's social media platforms to keep our audience engaged and up to date on class offerings. It has been a fun process, and seeing our social media presence rapidly grow is exciting. You can follow us on Instagram @joffreyacademy.

#IN MY EARBUDS

Lately, I have been listening to a lot of Taylor Swift with my daughter. We attended her concert together at Soldier Field this summer, and it was such a blast. It was especially fun to see one of the Joffrey Academy’s 2023 Winning Works choreographers, Kameron Saunders, up there on stage with Taylor. A highlight of the year!