Nicole Haskins News

Smuin launches its 25th anniversary season with Dance Series 01, a fall program that expands the boundaries of contemporary ballet, pays tribute to Smuin's founder, and celebrates the company's quarter century mark. Acclaimed dancemaker Trey McIntyre returns to Smuin with Blue Until June, a thrilling tribute to Etta James. Continuing Smuin's long-time dedication to fostering new talent within the company is a trio of groundbreaking works first developed in Smuin's Choreography Showcase: Merely Players by Smuin dancer Nicole Haskins, Echo (formerly titled Reflection) by Smuin dancer Ben Needham-Wood, and Sinfonietta by former Smuin dancer Rex Wheeler. Dance Series 01 will also include two works by founder Michael Smuin: Schubert Scherzo, an effervescent dance set to Schubert's sprightly C-Major Symphony, and Eternal Idol, a romantic pas de deux inspired by Auguste Rodin sculptures. Dance Series 01 will be presented September 21-22 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek and September 28-October 6 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. For subscriptions and further information the public may call (415) 912-1899. Single tickets ($25-$81) are available by calling the individual venues or by visiting www.smuinballet.org. (This program will also be presented in February 2019 in Mountain View and Carmel.)

Smuin launches its 25th anniversary season with Dance Series 01, a fall program that expands the boundaries of contemporary ballet, pays tribute to Smuin's founder, and celebrates the company's quarter century mark. Acclaimed dancemaker Trey McIntyre returns to Smuin with Blue Until June, a thrilling tribute to Etta James. Continuing Smuin's long-time dedication to fostering new talent within the company is a trio of groundbreaking works first developed in Smuin's Choreography Showcase: Merely Players by Smuin dancer Nicole Haskins, Echo (formerly titled Reflection) by Smuin dancer Ben Needham-Wood, and Sinfonietta by former Smuin dancer Rex Wheeler. Dance Series 01 will also include two works by founder Michael Smuin: Schubert Scherzo, an effervescent dance set to Schubert's sprightly C-Major Symphony, and Eternal Idol, a romantic pas de deux inspired by Auguste Rodin sculptures. Dance Series 01 will be presented September 21-22 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek and September 28-October 6 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. For subscriptions and further information the public may call (415) 912-1899. Single tickets ($25-$81) are available by calling the individual venues or by visiting www.smuinballet.org. (This program will also be presented in February 2019 in Mountain View and Carmel.)

Smuin launches its 25th anniversary season with Dance Series 01, a fall program that pushes the boundaries of contemporary ballet. Acclaimed dancemaker Trey McIntyre returns with his fourth collaboration with Smuin in Blue Until June, a sultry dance set to the heart-wrenching vocals of legend Etta James.

Marking its quarter-century, Smuin announces a sensational lineup for its 25th Anniversary season featuring the highly-anticipated return of Trey McIntyre, a world premiere by Amy Seiwert and brand new main stage adaptations from Smuin dancers, plus timeless classics by Michael Smuin celebrating an array of music from Gershwin to Nat King Cole.

Smuin dancers will step into the spotlight as choreographers during Smuin's 2018 Choreography Showcase, utilizing fellow company members to bring their original ideas to life on stage in fresh new dances. This fascinating showcase of never-before-seen pieces equal parts bold, lively, and curious will be followed by a Q&A session, during which audience members can discuss the artistic process with the dancers and choreographers. The eighth edition of Smuin's Choreography Showcase will be presented 7:30pm February 16, and 2pm February 17 at the Cowell Theater in Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco. Tickets ($33-$48) and information are available at www.smuinballet.org or by calling (415) 912-1899.

Smuin makes the holidays sizzle with its annual yuletide celebration of dance, The Christmas Ballet. With a stunning and original array of ballet, tap, and jazz, this joyous showcase of styles offers both sugar and spice, with the surprise unwrapping of new treats every year. The 2017 edition of The Christmas Ballet features three saucy world premieres one by acclaimed Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Seiwert, another created by Smuin dancer Rex Wheeler, and a debut number choreographed by dancer Erica Felsch. An exuberant holiday treat that was declared the finest toast to the season by the San Francisco Chronicle last year, The Christmas Ballet will tour the Bay Area, beginning with shows in Walnut Creek (November 17-18), continuing in Carmel (December 1-2) and Mountain View (December 6-10), and wrapping up with its annual holiday run at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco (December 14-24). Tickets ($25-$89) are available by calling the individual venues (see below for details) or visiting www.smuinballet.org.

Smuin concludes its 23rd season with Dance Series 02, featuring a world premiere by internationally acclaimed choreographer Trey McIntyre entitled The Chicken Sees. McIntyre returns to Smuin to pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of the "Summer of Love" in an energetic exploration of dance and the creative process. The program also includes an exciting new addition by Smuin dancer Nicole Haskins. Rounding out the bill is Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Seiwert's critically lauded Broken Open.

Admired for their versatility on stage, Smuin dancers invite audiences to experience their talents as choreographers when Smuin presents its 2017 Choreography Showcase. This rare opportunity allows patrons to join Smuin dancers Tessa Barbour, Erica Felsch, Nicole Haskins, Dustin James, Robert Kretz, Ben Needham-Wood, Rex Wheeler, and Smuin alumnus Matthew Linzer in the intimate ODC Theater, to view a showcase of their own choreography set on fellow company members. Audiences will witness a bright and lively performance with a variety of works, often with a dash of humor. Patrons are invited to hear the dancers and choreographers discuss their artistic processes in a Q&A session following each performance. This seventh edition of Smuin's Choreography Showcase will be presented 7:30pm March 10, and 2pm & 7:30pm March 11 at ODC Theater, 3153 17th St., San Francisco. Tickets ($30-$45) and information are available at www.odcdance.org or by calling (415) 863-9834.

Be there for the birth of, not one, but four new ballets created as part of the intensive 3-week process of the National Choreographers Initiative (NCI). Artistic Director, Molly Lynch has invited four choreographers – Tom Gold, Nicole Haskins,Stephanie Martinez and Ben Needham-Wood ? as well as sixteen professional dancers from ballet companies across the country, to participate.

Artistic Director, Molly Lynch, is announcing an ensemble of sixteen professional dancers and three apprentices for the National Choreographers Initiative project in July.   The dancers needed for this type of project have special qualities. The schedule is physically quite demanding and the process requires an adventuresome spirit, an open outlook to try new things, and the ability to adapt quickly. Each dancer will be assigned to work with two choreographers throughout the project.

Be there for the birth of, not one, but four new ballets created as part of the intensive 3-week process of the National Choreographers Initiative (NCI). Artistic Director, Molly Lynch has invited four choreographers – Tom Gold, Nicole Haskins,Stephanie Martinez and Ben Needham-Wood ? as well as sixteen professional dancers from ballet companies across the country, to participate.

Admired for their versatility on stage, Smuin Ballet dancers invite audiences to experience their talents as choreographers and more when Smuin Ballet presents its 2016 Choreography Showcase. This rare opportunity allows patrons to join Smuin dancers Cara Cooper, Erica Felsch, Rachel Furst, Nicole Haskins, Weston Krukow, Ben Needham-Wood, Susan Roemer, and Rex Wheeler in the intimate ODC Theater, to view a showcase of their own choreography set on fellow company members. These new works, set to a wide range of music, also feature original lighting and costumes.

Smuin Ballet returns with what has become an essential holiday tradition for Bay Area families: Smuin's annual The Christmas Ballet. With equal parts sugar and spice, offering something for both the naughty and nice, this ever-changing carousel of mischief and elegance includes something for everyone, from ballet, tap, and swing to a wealth of other dances drawn from holiday traditions from around the world. This edition of The Christmas Ballet will include new choreography from Smuin's acclaimed Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Seiwert and another exciting addition by Smuin dancer Nicole Haskins. Proclaimed 'the freshest show in town' by the San Francisco Chronicle, The Christmas Ballet will tour the Bay Area, beginning with shows in Walnut Creek (November 20-21), continuing in Carmel (December 4-5), and Mountain View (December 9-13), and finishing up with its annual holiday run at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco (December 17-27). Tickets ($23-$71) are available by calling the individual venues (see below for details) or visiting www.smuinballet.org.

Smuin Ballet returns with what has become an essential holiday tradition for Bay Area families: Smuin's annual The Christmas Ballet. With equal parts sugar and spice, offering something for both the naughty and nice, this ever-changing carousel of mischief and elegance includes something for everyone, from ballet, tap, and swing to a wealth of other dances drawn from holiday traditions from around the world. This edition of The Christmas Ballet will include new choreography from Smuin's acclaimed Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Seiwert and another exciting addition by Smuin dancer Nicole Haskins. Proclaimed 'the freshest show in town' by the San Francisco Chronicle, The Christmas Ballet will tour the Bay Area, beginning with shows in Walnut Creek (November 20-21), continuing in Carmel (December 4-5), and Mountain View (December 9-13), and finishing up with its annual holiday run at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco (December 17-27). Tickets ($23-$71) are available by calling the individual venues (see below for details) or visiting www.smuinballet.org.

Stage Left Theatre announces casting for all three shows in the company's mainstage season as well as the addition to the company of two Ensemble Members and four Artistic Associates.

Admired for their versatility on stage, Smuin Ballet dancers will be taking off their dance shoes and inviting audiences to experience their talents as choreographers and more when Smuin Ballet presents Undiscovered: Choreography Showcase.

Admired for their versatility on stage, Smuin Ballet dancers will be taking off their dance shoes and inviting audiences to experience their talents as choreographers and more when Smuin Ballet presents Undiscovered: Choreography Showcase.

The Bay Area's hottest holiday ticket gets a 21st season kick when Smuin Ballet's The Christmas Ballet, Uncorked! makes its sassy return, a perfect gift for audience members of all ages. An ever-changing carousel of mischief and elegance, this enormously popular holiday celebration offers something for everyone, from ballet, tap, and swing to a wealth of other dances drawn from holiday traditions from around the world. This year The Christmas Ballet, Uncorked! includes new choreography from Smuin's acclaimed Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Seiwert, as well as debut pieces from dancers Ben Needham-Wood, Nicole Haskins, and Weston Krukow. Scroll down for a first look at the performers in action!

The Bay Area's hottest holiday ticket gets a 21st season kick when Smuin Ballet's The Christmas Ballet, Uncorked! makes its sassy return, a perfect gift for audience members of all ages.