In 1969, towards the end of my dancing career with the Royal Ballet, I was persuaded – somewhat reluctantly – to create a piece for the Royal Ballet Choreographic Group. It was based on the Greek myth of Queen Pasiphae, who fell in love with a bull and conceived the minotaur – half man, half … Continued
You are given a second chance. You can recreate any moment of your life, what would it be? Maybe it’s a marriage to someone else. Running naked through your high school cafeteria. Perhaps, instead, a new job or selling painted seashells on the beach. Think hard, tonight is your chance to take a minute for … Continued
By Elizabeth Kramer for LEO Weekly October 13, 2018 Light and darkness defined the settings of the works in Louisville Ballet’s “Mozart” program that debuted Friday at The Brown Theatre, with George Balanchine’s opulent “Divertimento No. 15” providing the former and a new work by the company’s artistic and executive director Robert Curran working with … Continued
By Keith Waits For Arts-Louisville.com August 1, 2019 As the twilight enveloped the stage in Central Park, I was aware of how a gentle breeze caught the gauzy fabric that adorned some of the dancers. It was a simple accent to the graceful movements, a small thing really, but we never get that effect onstage in … Continued
By Eli Keel for Insider Louisville July 27th, 2019 The Louisville Ballet’s premiere of a new Shakespeare-inspired work as part of the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival’s season in Central Park has become one of Insider Louisville’s most anticipated events of the year. Choreographer Roger Creel and Composer Scott Moore have given audiences original full-length ballets based … Continued
By Miranda McDonald for The Voice-Tribune February 28th, 2019 Ashley Thursby can still recall the precise moment she knew she wanted to be a professional ballerina. She was five years old, sitting at home with her mother and watching a performance of “The Nutcracker” on PBS. It was the first time she had ever seen … Continued
Uncover the mystery behind the powerful woman who rede ned history in Louisville Ballet’s Cleopatra: Queen of Kings. Choreographed by Erica De La O and produced by Roger Creel, Cleopatra: Queen of Kings is the fourth installment in Louisville Ballet’s partnership with Kentucky Shakespeare’s Festival in Central Park and runs July 31 – August 4, … Continued
Ballet has been in my heart since I could walk—a whisper telling me to dance. I have followed that whisper my whole life. Dancing has been a dream, a passion, and a reality. It is my voice, my soul. It soothes that ache inside that pounds and pleads to be heard. Ballet is a love—and love makes … Continued
As dancers we are constantly and desperately seeking the unattainable – perfection. We know that we will never arrive; yet, we continue to make the effort over and over again. Every day we stare at ourselves in the mirror, striving to reach this impossible goal. It may seem crazy, bizarre, unhealthy even. However, I have … Continued
I stand in the wings, preparing for my entrance. I don’t think my heart has stopped fluttering since I first read my name next to “Marie” on the cast sheet. I am nineteen years old. I run onto the stage, the nerves staying behind in the wings. The audience, stage, and bosses’ eyes disappear, and … Continued