Morgan McEwen, ballerina turned artistic director, launched MorDance in January of 2013. This young organization, with dancers from some of the world's most prestigious companies, has playfully leapt to the edge of the classical ballet world. MorDance explores the use of athleticism in its aim to modernize and innovate, while honoring the grace and beauty of classical ballet. MorDance premiered at Manhattan Movement and Arts center on May 3, 2013. That same year, Ms. McEwen was selected to choreograph on MorDance at Socrates Sculptural Park and again at the Counterpointe Project, which celebrated female choreographers creating dances on pointe. In 2014, MorDance helped the Sheen Center open their doors by being the first company to perform in their new black box theater. The following season the Sheen Center named MorDance their resident dance company. MorDance has also been granted space residencies at the Silo at Kirkland Farm and Mana Contemporary. Ms. McEwen has been commissioned to create works on Columbia Ballet Collaborative and will create a new work for Eglevsky ballet in 2017. She has also had a successful career as a ballerina dancing with the Richmond Ballet, BalletMet, the Metropolitan Opera, and freelancing across the country.
The Music Center, L.A.'s performing arts destination, launches its 2016-17 dance season on Friday, October 21, 2016, with Celebrate Forsythe, a 'dance first' and special salute to the acclaimed choreographer, William Forsythe.
Smuin kicks off its 23rd season with the Bay Area tour of Dance Series 01 showcasing the diverse styles of this contemporary American ballet company. The program features Madness, Rack, and Honey, a world premiere by acclaimed choreographer Garrett Ammon. Also on the program is the West Coast's first look at Stanton Welch's critically praised Indigo, which examines the vagaries of romantic relationships as four couples come together, fall in love, fight, and exchange partners. Rounding out the bill is the timely return of Michael Smuin's Stabat Mater, a powerful response to the events of 9/11. It is presented by Smuin in observance of the 15th anniversary of this most significant event of the new century, with a message of hope in the face of challenges.
Roberta Guidi di Bagno has worked with the Houston Ballet costume shop to successfully design costumes that both express GISELLE's weighty themes and drape weightlessly on the dancers.
From June 9 - 19, 2016, Houston Ballet will conclude its 2015-16 season with the world premiere of artistic director Stanton Welch's Giselle. The world premiere of Giselle is made possible through the generosity of longtime Houston Ballet supporter and trustee Lynn Wyatt. This production will showcase the company's strength and depth of talent, while staying true to the original story of love, betrayal, and redemption, set in the Romantic era. The ballet is set to the famous score by Adolphe Adam and designed by renowned Italian designer Roberta Guidi di Bagno, who will create the scenery and costumes for the production.
From June 9 - 19, 2016, Houston Ballet will conclude its 2015-16 season with the world premiere of artistic director Stanton Welch's Giselle. The world premiere of Giselle is made possible through the generosity of longtime Houston Ballet supporter and trustee Lynn Wyatt. This production will showcase the company's strength and depth of talent, while staying true to the original story of love, betrayal, and redemption, set in the Romantic era. The ballet is set to the famous score by Adolphe Adam and designed by renowned Italian designer Roberta Guidi di Bagno, who will create the scenery and costumes for the production.
Houston Ballet, America's fifth largest ballet company, unveiled the first phase of a marketing plan for Artistic Director Stanton Welch's new production of THE NUTCRACKER which premieres on November 25, 2016.
? Houston Ballet is pleased to announce that Andrew Nielsen will join its artistic leadership team as Director of Production. Mr. Nielsen will oversee all technical and production management duties for Houston Ballet locally and internationally.
Houston Ballet is pleased to announce that Andrew Nielsen will join its artistic leadership team as Director of Production. Mr. Nielsen will oversee all technical and production management duties for Houston Ballet locally and internationally.
Reinforcing the role of The Music Center as a major hub for dance in Los Angeles, The Music Center's powerful new dance season will engage both dance lovers and those new to the art form by challenging preconceived notions of classical ballet and exploring the realm of contemporary expression. The 2016-2017 season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center (Dance at The Music Center) will provide the platform for some of the finest U.S. dance companies and artists along with internationally renowned companies who are among the most requested by Music Center audiences. This coming season opens with Celebrate Forsythe (October 21-23, 2016) as three American ballet companies - San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Houston Ballet - perform in one program in a never-before-seen approach to salute one of America's top choreographers, William Forsythe. The season continues with the distinctive contemporary work of Jessica Lang Dance (February 17-19, 2017); the return of the much-in-demand Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (March 8-12, 2017); the west coast premiere of Scottish Ballet's A Streetcar Named Desire (May 19-21, 2017); Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg's exploration of the passions of Tchaikovsky (June 23-25, 2017); and an original program curated by New York City principal ballerina Tiler Peck with the return of The Music Center's BalletNow (July 28-30, 2017). A number of the engagements will be integrated with arts education programs including high school performances and teacher workshops. Center Dance Arts is the founding supporter of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center.
?From February 25 - March 6, 2016, in celebration of Artistic Director Emeritus Ben Stevenson's 80th birthday, Houston Ballet will revive his spectacular staging of The Sleeping Beauty. The ballet is a flagship work for the company and a piece that is recognized as one of the supreme achievements of classical ballet. The Sleeping Beauty is based on the classic French fairy tale by Charles Perrault: a beautiful princess is cursed by an evil fairy and doomed to sleep for 100 years - only to be awakened by the kiss of the handsome prince who loves her. Desmond Heeley's spectacular designs beautifully evoke the magic, drama and whimsy of this great work. Houston Ballet will give nine performances of The Sleeping Beauty at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston. Tickets may be purchased by calling 713 227 2787 or by visiting www.houstonballet.org.
Previously only available as part of a 2016 subscription, individual tickets for all productions in The Australian Ballet's 2016 season will go on sale at 9am AEDT on Thursday 28 January 2016. This year the national company performs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, and each season is accompanied by unique behind-the-scenes events to perfectly complement the mainstage productions.
Houston Ballet, America's fifth largest ballet company, today introduced the company's new logo and brand identity. The new logo is the first step in a process of rebranding the company's identity as it has evolved over the decades. This marks the most dramatic change in the company's visual identity since 1985.
Houston Ballet Academy Director, Shelly Power, will assume a new role at the international dance competition, Prix de Lausanne in September 2016. Power will lead Prix de Lausanne as the first dually titled Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer in the competitions 45-year history. "I'm very grateful to the many individuals who have contributed to the impressive legacy of the Prix de Lausanne. My hope is to build on the wonderful legacy of the organization, and expand the Prix de Lausanne's role supporting students' next steps in the international dance world and beyond," said, Power.
Fall for Dance continued to marvel audiences with its third program. A cultural treasure for New York, Fall for Dance allows audiences access to some of the field's greatest visionaries from around the globe. The third program included a variety of pieces from passionate street dance to pristine ballet that captured the audience's attention all evening.
December 27, 2015, Houston Ballet bids farewell to Ben Stevenson's beloved production of The Nutcracker. Created by Artistic Director Emeritus Ben Stevenson, with designs by acclaimed designer Desmond Heeley, Houston Ballet's The Nutcracker has been Houston's premiere holiday tradition since 1987.
Houston Ballet will participate in World Ballet Day, Thursday October 1, 2015. This incredible event brings live broadcasting from some of the world's leading ballet companies and audiences with a chance to catch behind the scenes looks at what goes on inside a ballet company. Houston Ballet will provide a 30 minute pre-recorded segment to be aired from 7:00 - 7:30 PM CST, October 1, 2015 for the event.
