Stanton Welch News

As Maestro Ermanno Florio steps down after 32 seasons, Australian Conductor Simon Thew will be appointed as Houston Ballet's Music Director and Chief Conductor. BroadwayWorld got the chance to speak with Simon Thew about his worldly career, his experience with the Houston Ballet, and his goals for the future of the Houston Ballet.

Houston Ballet’s season is continuing with a return of artistic director Stanton Welch’s CINDERELLA. BroadwayWorld Houston had the chance to speak with Mónica Gómez, one of the ballerinas portraying Cinderella in Houston Ballet's 2024 production. She gave some insight into what makes this reindition of the Cinderella story so timely and special.

New York City Ballet has revealed number of guest artists who will perform with the Company during its ongoing 75th Anniversary Season.

After 32 years as Music Director of Houston Ballet, Ermanno Florio will step down from his position at the end of the 2023 – 2024 season. BroadwayWorld Houston had the chance and honor to speak with him about what he has learned in his many years with the Houston Ballet and his plans for the future as he retires from his current position.

The Joffrey Ballet has announced the addition of five dancers to the Joffrey roster for the 2023-24 season. Learn more about the new dancers here!

Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney announced the promotion of one member and appointment of five new dancers to the professional Company. Learn more about the new appointments here!

The Houston Ballet's 2023-2024 season is starting off with John Neumeier's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, based on Shakespeare's romantic comedy. I had the chance to speak with Chase O'Connell-- one of the dancers portraying Theseus/King Oberon-- who told us how it is to play opposite his wife onstage and what spectacles are within the show!

Kaatsbaan Cultural Park announces the addition of new and rarely seen classical works to their Fall Festival 2023 lineup. Get ready to experience Kenneth MacMillan's Ballade, Gemma Bond's Brain on Fire, and Herman Cornejo's The Apartment. Find out more about these captivating performances and secure your tickets today.

The New York Dance and Performance Awards, the Bessies, has announced the 2023 award recipients at the 39th Bessie Awards Ceremony. The Illustrious Blacks hosted this year's celebratory event, which was held at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park as part of Lincoln Center's Summer for the City. Check out a complete list of 2023 awards here!

NEW YORK CITY CENTER announced complete programming for the 20th Fall for Dance Festival, September 27 – October 8, 2023. Celebrating 20 years as an essential part of New York’s fall dance season, the Festival opens City Center’s 80th season at the center of the arts with a showcase of local and international dance companies and artists in an array of styles, presented in five unique programs.

The Houston Ballet's 2022-2023 season is ending with one of ballet's greatest love stories, SWAN LAKE. I had the chance to speak with Mackenzie Richter, one of the ballerinas portraying Odette/Odile, and they gave me some insight into their experience of performing this iconic lead role and shared what makes this certain production so special.

Houston Ballet is presenting DIVERGENCE, a triple bill program that includes Justin Peck’s world premiere UNDER THE FOLDING SKY; Aszure Barton’s ANGULAR MOMENTUM; and Stanton Welch's DIVERGENCE. As a sneak peek at the production, I had the exciting chance to speak with Tyler Donatelli, one of the lead ballerinas of the whole show!

Artistic Director Adam W. McKinney has promoted three artists for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's (PBT) upcoming season, which runs from October 2023 to May 2024. 

Philadelphia Ballet has announced its Fourth Annual Spring Festival at Red Rose Farm, an outdoor ballet tradition, taking place June 1 - 3 in Villanova, PA.

MorDance will celebrate its tenth anniversary performance season with two groundbreaking world premiere ballets centering themes of activism and humanity. Performances are April 28-29, 2023 at 7:30pm at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College as part of the CUNY Dance Initiative.

As much as I admire the art of ballet, I have never seen a new, professional ballet performance, one that no one else has seen before. To say I was excited to be in the audience for the opening night of the world premiere of Houston Ballet's SUMMER AND SMOKE is an understatement, and it was everything that I hoped it to be!

MorDance wil present its Spring 2023 Season with groundbreaking new ballets centering themes of activism and humanity from April 28-29, 2023 at Gerald W. Lynch Theater.

Next week, Houston Ballet is presenting the premiere of Cathy Marston's SUMMER AND SMOKE, inspired by Tennessee Williams' play. It was my joy to speak with Jessica Collado, one of the leads for SUMMER AND SMOKE; I learned about her background, how SUMMER AND SMOKE was uniquely developed, and what we can expect from this beautiful production.

ROMEO AND JULIET…the classic love story of star-crossed lovers. To say that our culture is saturated with this tale is a fact that no one can deny. However, knowing the talent of the Houston Ballet, I was intrigued to see this legend translated to dance. As I watched the production, I quickly realized that this story is simply perfect as a ballet!

Lesher Center for the Arts will host the return of Dance Theatre of Harlem to the West Coast, presenting the globally acclaimed company for two nights only.