Louisville Ballet looks back on our history: The 1960s

This week, as we continue to highlight the history of Louisville Ballet leading up to the opening of our 65th season on September 9th with Stars + Stripes, we usher in the 1960s.  This decade brought a great deal of growth and change to the organization and its impact on the Louisville community and beyond.  In 1960, the name was officially changed to the Louisville Civic Ballet, suggesting a shift in focus to local talent.  For the first time, dancers auditioned for a place in a company instead of auditioning for individual performances.

There was also a new guest Artistic Director at the helm.  Fernand Nault, who was also the Ballet Master of the American Ballet Theatre, served as resident choreographer and director and offered consistency in training that the Ballet had not seen before.  He was held in high regard and greatly admired by the dancers.

(Images from The Courier Journal archives)

SWAN LAKE

November 11-14 2021
The Brown Theatre
Choreography by Robert Curran
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchakiovsky

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The Brown-Forman Nutcracker

December 11-23, 2021
Whitney Hall, Kentucky Center
Choreography by Val Caniparoli
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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ChorShow

January 12-22, 2022
Louisville Ballet Studios

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Spotlight Series: Impressionism to Jazz

March 3-5, 2022
The Brown Theatre
A mixed repertory evening featuring:

Emeralds

Choreography by George Balanchine

Music: "Pelléas et Mélisande" + "Shylock" by Gabriel Fauré

In G Major

Choreography by Jerome Robbins
Music: "Piano Concerto in G Major" by Maurice Ravel

World Premiere Work

Music by Louisville-based Jazz Composer and Musician, Dick Sisto

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Sleeping Beauty

March 31 - April 2, 2022
The Brown Theatre
Choreography by Adam Hougland
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchakiovsky

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