Season Memberships are available now for full-access to these productions + all upcoming
Season of Illumination digital performances and experiences pending announcement.
Louisville, KY, October 15, 2020 – Louisville Ballet kicks off its unprecedented, innovative, fully-digital Season of Illumination with a compelling original ballet art film production, Kentucky! Volume 1, and family-favorite Louisville holiday classic, The Brown-Forman Nutcracker, all available to audiences wherever they are via the virtual stage. The Company first announced the launch of a completely digital season in June earlier this year, revealing that, even though theaters would be closed, they would be taking dance to the next stage, giving audiences safe, on-demand access to cinematic, digital Louisville Ballet performances.
“When we first began planning for this Season of Illumination, we had no idea how fitting the theme would be as we transitioned to a fully digital experience,” said Robert Curran, Louisville Ballet’s Artistic Director. “I’m so thrilled to now be able to announce our first Season of Illumination productions, to be able to invite even more audience members, no matter who or where they are, to join our Louisville Ballet family and connect with these amazing performances and incredible artistry of our dancers.”
The curtain rises on Louisville Ballet’s fully-digital Season of Illumination with the following productions. Please note that more productions will continue to be announced on a rolling basis:
KENTUCKY! VOLUME 1
November 21 – 24 / Season Member Preview, November 20
Choreography by Robert Curran
Music: Original Score by Scott Moore / The Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 by Jean Sibelius
Cinematography by KERTIS
Scenic Design Projections by Clovehitch Productions
Costume Design by Alex Ludwig
Lighting Design by Jesse AlFord
Story Co-Creators: Robert Curran + Natalie Harris
Focused on “uncommon stories of the Commonwealth,” Kentucky! Volume 1 is the cinematic first installment of a three-part ballet cycle. Rooted in history, and leaning towards the romantic, this new ballet art film explores human connection and resilience through the lens of the people who make it a place. Weaving together the state’s present with its past, and told in a non-linear style, with one dancer as the central character and thread that connects it all. This ballet invites viewers into an immersive ballet experience led by a Kentucky-based team of creators and filmed inside the Louisville Ballet studios.
THE BROWN-FORMAN NUTCRACKER
December 7 – 15 / Season Member Preview, December 6
Choreography by Val Caniparoli
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Sets and costumes by Peter Cazalet
Celebrate the magic of the season with a Louisville Ballet holiday classic, now on the virtual stage! Filmed by WDRB Louisville live on stage during the 2019 season for rebroadcast on Christmas Day, this uniquely Louisville telling of the classic story of Marie, her Nutcracker Prince, and their journey to the world of the Sugar Plum Fairy is filled with magic, artistry, awe-inspiring sets and costumes, and distinctly Louisville touches. This experience transports audiences to a wonderland where dreams come true, now from the comfort of home. Thanks to Title Sponsors Brown-Forman, Broadcast Sponsors Lexus of Louisville and to WDRB for helping to make this digital production possible.
The Brown-Forman Nutcracker is part of Louisville Ballet’s digital winter festivities. Additional winter performances and events include Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble’s (LBYE) Winter Concert (December 5 & 6) and Louisville Ballet’s winter virtual gala & online auction (December 4-6). More virtual winter experience details, and how to participate, are coming soon.
HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE SEASON OF ILLUMINATION
Become a Season Member: $175 per household and on sale now
Season Memberships, the Season of Illumination’s digital subscription, offers an all-access pass to digital productions, both announced and pending announcement, through May 2021. Season Memberships also include bonus digital content, virtual behind-the-scenes experiences, and invitations to Season Member digital events and real-life perks.
Purchase Digital Single Tickets
Single tickets will be available for each digital production via louisvilleballet.org.
Kentucky! Volume 1: $25 each / Available for purchase starting October 20
The Brown-Forman Nutcracker: $55 each / Available for purchase starting October 27
Why not announce the full Season of Illumination? The current environment requires that Louisville Ballet puts the health and safety of dancers and the Louisville Ballet team first. Additionally, these Louisville Ballet productions depend on the investment, enthusiasm and support of patrons, donors, sponsors, and the entire Louisville Ballet Family. This Season of Illumination will only be brought to light, production by production, through the strong financial commitment of supporters.
ABOUT LOUISVILLE BALLET
Louisville Ballet, led by Artistic Director Robert Curran and Executive Director Nichole Gantshar, makes moving art that respects tradition, encourages innovation, and fosters life-long learning. We inspire connection, conversation and a profound sense of community, by striving for bold collaborations, nurturing the next generation of artists, celebrating diversity, and creating access for all. Louisville Ballet has been one of the nation’s leading regional ballet companies since 1952. As the Official State Ballet of Kentucky, Louisville Ballet has worked with some of ballet’s brightest lights, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Twyla Tharp, and Wendy Whelan, performs for tens of thousands annually, and connects over 20,000 students each year throughout the Commonwealth to educational dance experiences.