American Ballet Theatre News

HOUSTON, TEXAS – Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch promoted Jared Matthews to the rank of principal dancer after a well-received performance as Lucentio in John Cranko's production of The Taming of the Shrew on Saturday, June 20. 

Returning to Jacob's Pillow after back-to-back appearances in the Inside/Out performance series in 2007 and 2008, New York Theatre Ballet performs the quintessential, family-friendly story ballet Cinderella in the Doris Duke Theatre June 24-28. This timeless, enchanting production, performed by the outstanding dancers of New York Theatre Ballet, is a delight for the entire family. With winning choreography by Donald Mahler, a jubilant score composed by Sergei Prokofiev, and beloved characters, this hour-long adaptation of the treasured classic is the perfect way to introduce a new generation of audience-goers to the art of dance.

American Ballet Theatre's 75th anniversary spring season honored the legacy of the company's seasoned dancers and showcased its younger ranks. Mixed bills displaying a range of classic and neo-classic roles segued into ABT's strongest realm: the story ballet. Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie offered his artists as heroes and heroines. From 'Othello' to 'Giselle' to 'La Bayadere' to Ratmansky's 'The Sleeping Beauty' to Monday, June 15th's 'Romeo and Juliet' at Lincoln Center's Metropolitan Opera House, his dancers remained in a stratosphere of romanticism.

The Board of Directors of The Music Center announced today that Rachel S. Moore, an accomplished leader in the performing arts, has been named president and CEO of The Music Center. Moore joins The Music Center from American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the world's great dance companies, where she served as CEO since 2012 and as its executive director since 2004. Moore comes from the performing arts, having danced with ABT as a member of its corps de ballet 1984-1988. She will assume her new position with The Music Center on October 5, 2015.

Remember history class in high school? The teacher presented a lecture and told us how exciting a certain historical period had been, going on to incessantly bore us because we had no recourse other than to take indecipherable notes we couldn't understand later, finally coming to the conclusion that history was, and always would be, a painstaking bore, better consigned to the college professors we were bound to meet sooner or later on our educational journey to adulthood and, hopefully, a job. That's very much what I thought about the American Ballet Theater's new production of Alexei Ratmansky's 'Sleeping Beauty.' I hate to sound churlish, but so much ink, not to mention so many dollars, have been lavished on this production, that, beyond some more extra performances and, probably, a showing on Great Performances, it will disappear within two years. At least it will be in the archives for future generations to watch.

The DRI Foundation, the charity arm of the world's foremost business continuity certification and education nonprofit Disaster Recovery Institute (DRI) International, in partnership with 39 Steps and Red Rope Productions, will be hosting an exclusive, one-night benefit titled Dance for Nepal on Tuesday, June 30 at 7pm, at the Union Square Theatre (100 E. 17th St.) in Manhattan.

Casting for the seventh and eighth weeks of American Ballet Theatre's 2015 Spring Season at the Metropolitan Opera House was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie.

Some of the ON THE TOWN ensemble ladies, including Lori Ann Ferreri, Eloise Kropp, Skye Mattox, and Holly Ann Butler, recently took part in a 1940spin-up photo shoot, inspired by the the Broadway revival. BroadwayWorld brings you an exclusive look below!

The Chicago Dancing Festival is proud to announce the 9th annual program will take place August 25-29, 2015.

Grammy Award and three-time Parents' Choice Award winners, The Okee Dokee Brothers, kick off Segerstrom Center's 2015-2016 Family Discovery Series on September 27 in Samueli Theater with two performances.

The Chicago Dancing Festival is proud to announce the 9th annual program will take placeAugust 25-29, 2015. Co-produced by renowned choreographer Lar Lubovitch and highly esteemed Chicago dancer Jay Franke, the Chicago Dancing Festival will bring together leading ballet, modern and contemporary dancers from Chicago and across the country to present the largest dance festival in the nation.

The Chicago Dancing Festival is proud to announce the 9th annual program will take place August 25-29, 2015. Co-produced by renowned choreographer Lar Lubovitch and highly esteemed Chicago dancer Jay Franke, the Chicago Dancing Festival will bring together leading ballet, modern and contemporary dancers from Chicago and across the country to present the largest dance festival in the nation.

From tonight, June 11, through June 21, 2015, Houston Ballet will present John Cranko's staging of The Taming of the Shrew, a masterful choreographic depiction of Shakespeare's perpetually battling lovers, Petruchio and Katherina, and of Petruchio's determination to bend the feisty, independent-spirited and tempestuous Katherina to his will. Incorporating a stunning array of dramatic moods, virtuoso dancing and vivid characterization, The Taming of the Shrew conveys like no other ballet Shakespeare's wit, brilliant comic invention and sharp understanding of human character. Houston Ballet will give seven performances of The Taming of the Shrew at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston.

Next year, we're celebrating 25 years of UMS Dance Series, and we're thrilled to share the line up with you. Performances include ballet on the grandest possible scale with American Ballet Theater's The Sleeping Beauty, Young Jean Lee's cutting-edge Untitled Feminist Show, and stunning international dance with Sankai Juku, and so much more. 

Irish Repertory Theatre (Charlotte Moore, Artistic Director, and Ciaran O'Reilly, Producing Director) presented YEATS: The Celebration, this season's Gala Benefit production, on Monday, June 8th at The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street, NYC). Check out a look back below!

Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch was awarded the Order of Australia for his contributions to the world of dance. The award recognizes his significant service to the performing arts as a ballet dancer, mentor, choreographer and artistic director. The prestigious Order of Australia Award, established in 1975, is bestowed on Australian citizens for meritorious service in a particular area or field of activity.

Due to injury, Natalia Osipova, a Guest Artist with American Ballet Theatre, will not perform the title role in Romeo and Juliet scheduled for Wednesday evening, June 17 at the Metropolitan Opera House, it was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie.

Irish Repertory Theatre proudly presented YEATS: The Celebration, this season's Gala Benefit production, on Monday, June 8th at The Town Hall (123 West 43rdStreet, NYC). BroadwayWorld has photos of the festivities below!

?Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch was awarded the Order of Australia for his contributions to the world of dance.