Background
He was the product of two generations of Russian/Polish Yiddish actors: Glicka and Morris Balavsky, co founders of Nordska Films, the Actors Studio and his mother, Miriam, a child star in the Yiddish theater.
He was the product of two generations of Russian/Polish Yiddish actors: Glicka and Morris Balavsky, co founders of Nordska Films, the Actors Studio and his mother, Miriam, a child star in the Yiddish theater.
He was also coached by Olga Preobrajenska and studied with Alexandra Danilova.
Bergman"s dance career began at the early age of 8 years old when he was spotted by Andre Eglevsky jumping about playing the part of an airplane in a school play. Eglevsky took Bergman on as his protégé and taught him privately for two years. When Bergman was 10 years old Eglevsky took him to George Balanchine’s School of American Ballet where he was offered a full scholarship.
A young spectator at his audition, Melissa Haydn, was impressed enough to note: "Alan possessed an extraordinary talent".
By age 15, Bergman was dancing soloist roles and soon became a principal dancer with a number of major companies such as the San Francisco Ballet and a Guest Artist with companies such as The National Ballet of Venezuela. After seeing Bergman as the Bluebird in The Sleeping Beauty with the Eglevsky Ballet Company, the great dance critic Walter Terry said, "I had the unexpected pleasure of seeing a most talented and exciting young male dancer from George Balanchine"s School of American Ballet.
His elegant arms and extraordinary clean beats, entrechat-six and brise, are a homage to Andre Eglevsky whose protégé he is. His name, Alan Bergman, is one to remember.
He will undoubtedly have a great career."
Bergman also danced as a principal in numerous revivals of Broadway shows including Annie Get Your Gun, where he partnered Ginger Rogers.
Unfortunately a severe injury brought Alan Bergman’s dancing career to an early and abrupt halt. In 1976 Bergman founded the Limited after producing the world"s first cotton/Lycra leotards and tights. He came upon the idea during a New York photoshoot with a dancer who was wearing a nylon/Lycra leotard.
Madonna even wore the Dans-Ez Classic Camisole on her 2006 Confessions world tour.
The Dans-ez Minimal Bounce sports bra is the only sports bra that is internationally patented.
The company"s dance and sports wear has become popular with professionals worldwide including principals of the Bolshoi and Kirov ballet, the British Army School of Physical Training as well as members of the British Olympic Team.