International Guest Faculty Brings Exciting Repertoire To The Sarasota Ballet's Summer Showcase

Opening Friday, 28th of July 2017 for two performances, the International Intensive Summer Showcase brings to the Sarasota stage works by Marius Petipa, Antony Tudor, Sir Matthew Bourne, L.Lavrosky and Arthur St. Leon. Students from across the nation and around the world will have spent the 5 weeks leading up to the performances honing their skills and learning from world renowned faculty to enhance their artistry in the studio and on stage. Guest faculty included Phillip Broomhead, former Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet and Houston Ballet; Etta Murfitt, Associate Artistic Director of Matthew Bourne's New Adventures (renowned for their groundbreaking Swan Lake, which set box office records on Broadway); and Robert Parker, Artistic Director of Elmhurst Ballet School in the UK and former Principal Dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

"The talent that we've seen this summer, both from our students and our guest faculty has been tremendous," says Christopher Hird, Director of Education for The Sarasota Ballet. "Iain Webb's incredible connections in the dance world have brought three distinguished artists for our students to learn from, and watching the growth of the students during this time has been so rewarding for us all." The repertoire featured in the performance includes extracts from Marius Petipa's Paquita, La Bayadère and Swan Lake; Antony Tudor's Continuo and Gala Performance; Sir Matthew Bourne's Highland Fling; L. Lavrosky's Walpurgisnacht; Arthur St. Leon's Coppélia; and new choreography by the faculty of the International Intensive.

"The Sarasota Ballet has garnered a great deal of attention for our repertoire, the artistry of our performances, and for our faithfulness and attention to detail when restaging historic works," explains Iain Webb, Director of The Sarasota Ballet. "This year, more than ever, our students will perform important works by celebrated choreographers, providing our audience with an entertaining and fulfilling performance and giving these students an true taste of a professional dancer's life."

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information
International Intensive Summer Showcase | 28 - 29 July 2017 | FSU Center for the Performing Arts

Paquita, La Bayadère and Swan Lake - Choreography by Marius Petipa
Continuo, Gala Performance - Choreography by Antony Tudor
Highland Fling - Choreography by Matthew Bourne
Walpurgisnacht - Choreography by L. Lavrosky
Coppélia - Choreography by Arthur St. Leon
A finale presentation choreographed by our International Intensive Faculty

Friday, 28 March 2017 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, 29 March 2017 at 1:00 PM
Individual tickets range from $15 - $25, children's tickets available at $10
www.SarasotaBallet.org 941.359.0099.

About The Sarasota Ballet
Since 1990, the mission of The Sarasota Ballet has been enriching lives, captivating emotions and strengthening the community through the art of dance. Under the leadership of Director Iain Webb and Executive Director Joseph Volpe, the company's expanded repertoire includes works by world-renowned choreographers such as Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Sir Matthew Bourne, Dame Ninette de Valois, Michel Fokine, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Rudolf Nureyev, Jerome Robbins, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Antony Tudor and Christopher Wheeldon. The Sarasota Ballet has received national and international recognition for its diverse repertoire of rarely performed ballets, as well as the integrity and artistry of its performances. In the last five years, The Sarasota Ballet has been invited to perform twice at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and the Fall for Dance Festival at New York City Center, as well as week-long residencies at the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and The Joyce Theater in New York. The Company performed in May 2017 at the inaugural National Choreographic Festival in Salt Lake City.

About The Margaret Barbieri Conservatory
Directed by Margaret Barbieri, Assistant Director of The Sarasota Ballet, the Conservatory is a pre-professional program designed to prepare students for a career in classical ballet. Led by Principal and Director of Education, Christopher Hird, the Conservatory has an exceptional instructional staff committed to excellence and providing the highest quality dance education. Their knowledge of the art form is nurtured with professional development lectures and master classes from visiting guest teachers and choreographers. Former students are now dancing with The Sarasota Ballet and other ballet companies around the USA and abroad.

Photo by Vutti Photography