Boston Ballet Assistant Artistic Director Russell Kaiser formed a unique relationship with ballet and Broadway legend Jerome Robbins, whom he fondly calls Jerry. Having performed many of his works during an 11-year career with New York City Ballet, Kaiser is now coaching Boston Ballet dancers on Robbins’ distinctive style and aesthetic. As the Company rehearses the premiere of Glass Pieces in a program celebrating Robbins’ centennial, Kaiser reflects on his experience working with the “reigning genius” and the honor of carrying on his legacy at Boston Ballet.
What was your experience working with Robbins?
I had an extraordinary experience with Jerry. He taught me so much about stage craft and character development. We worked together for 11 years, and I was fortunate enough to be in almost all of his new ballets that he did during my time there.
I used to follow Jerry around when I wasn’t rehearsing. I would go sit in on rehearsals and watch him. One day, he stopped me in the hallway and said, “Why are you always following me?” And I said, “I’m learning.” And he said, “Good for you” and continued walking.
If you were at rehearsal with Jerry sitting at the front of the stage and you saw him just start to smile and giggle, you knew you were successful. He was able to sit back and go, “I’m enjoying this so much.” Those were the extraordinary moments.
How did he approach his work with dancers?
To me, Jerome Robbins is about creating a world, creating an atmosphere. He saw everyday things around him and brought them to life on stage. He wanted to depict real, genuine, and authentic people. His very first ballet, Fancy Free, was simply about sailors in New York. He didn’t want you to pretend to be a sailor. He wanted you to believe you were a sailor.
Jerry would challenge you about the character you were portraying. At rehearsal, he would stop me and ask, “What did you have for breakfast today?” I would say, “I had a bagel.” Then he would say, “No. What did your character have for breakfast?” You needed to know what your apartment looked like, what the bus trip to work was like, what restaurants you liked to go to, or what records were in your collection. He wanted those answers, and you had to be prepared to give them.
Robbins is being celebrated across the country in honor of his centennial. How does that make you feel, having been a part of and now continuing his legacy?
It’s incredibly special to be able to help his work live on in whatever small way I might be able, and to share the stories he gave us. Jerry was an icon. We can’t replace him, but we can try to share the essence of what he wanted out of us.
Can you share any insider tidbits about who he was?
Something not as well known about Jerry was that he loved dogs. I had a dog, Sarah, who I would sometimes bring with me to the studio. Sarah was very well-behaved, and she would sit under the piano in the studio and watch rehearsal. At the start of rehearsal, Jerry would come in and sit on the floor for ten minutes and play with my dog. After that, he’d be in a great mood.