We kick-off our 65th Anniversary Season with this dynamic opening production!
THE KENTUCKY CENTER
Whitney Hall
501 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Friday, September 9, 2016 @ 8 PM
Saturday, September 10, 2016 @ 2 PM & 8 PM
LOUISVILLE, KY, Thursday, August 18, 2016 – Louisville Ballet ignites our 65th Season with this stunning production featuring our world-class Company! Experience classicism pushed to its limits in George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, a world-premiere piece, How They Fade, by Artistic & Executive Director Robert Curran and the vibrant, full-tilt choreography of Twyla Tharp’s In The Upper Room.
As Artistic & Executive Director Robert Curran explains, “I’m so honored and thrilled to start this historic season by highlighting the versatility and skill of our incredible Company Dancers. I can’t imagine a more spectacular way to celebrate our 65th Anniversary.”
The full Stars + Stripes program includes:
Theme and Variations
Choreography by George Balanchine
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky;
Scenic & Costume Design by Hugh Colman
Last performed by the Company as part of our 2011-2012 Season, Balanchine’s iconic Theme and Variations has become one of Louisville Ballet’s works to perform, especially in this Season of celebration. First choreographed and performed in 1947, this ballet showcases Balanchine’s incredible gift for creating technically challenging, playful works that capture the essence and evolution of ballet. Theme and Variations will be performed to live music played by The Louisville Orchestra.
How They Fade
Choreography by Robert Curran
Music by YASSOU
Scenic Design by Louisville-based visual artist Letitia Quesenberry
Lighting Design by Trad A Burns
This original, contemporary ballet by Robert Curran, Louisville Ballet Artistic & Executive Director, is a physically dynamic exploration of the effects of nostalgia on human connection and disconnection. Art-pop band YASSOU will perform live with The Louisville Orchestra and Louisville-based visual artist Letitia Quesenberry has created a new scenic design for this compelling, world-premiere work.
In The Upper Room
Choreography by Twyla Tharp
Music by Philip Glass
Costume Design by Norma Kamali
Twyla Tharp’s thrilling, pulse-pounding piece, originally choreographed and performed by Twyla Tharp Dance in 1986, fuses movement ranging from boxing to ballet. Performed in visually striking costumes designed by Norma Kamali, dancers race through this intricate, vigorous work in pointe shoes and sneakers for a thrilling finish to this incredible, breath-taking production.
TICKETS
Single tickets for Louisville Ballet’s Stars + Stripes are available now via The Kentucky Center and range from $35 – $110 each. Call (502) 584-7777, purchase online at kentuckycenter.org or visit their box office located at 501 West Main Street.
SEASON TICKET PACKAGES
Experience the 65th Season of Louisville Ballet with a perfectly built Season Ticket Package. Options include a full-season Experience package, a Story Ballet Trio, an Innovation package, or Choreograph Your Own package for something in-between. Packages start at just $50 with perks that include:
• Access to the best seats before they go on sale to the public
• Save up to 30% off single ticket prices
• Enjoy easy, fee-free ticket exchanges through our box office
• Pay through payment plans that work for almost any budget
• and MORE!
PURCHASE ONLINE or call the Louisville Ballet Box Office at (502) 583-2623.
ABOUT THE ARTISTIC & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Trained at The Australian Ballet School and having enjoyed a thrilling and fulfilling career with The Australian Ballet as a Principal Artist, Robert Curran took the passion and discipline he developed as a dancer and set his sights on diversifying his knowledge, skills and abilities. Education and experience continually expanded his ability to move his own body on stage and through this, move an audience through a wide range of emotions. Beyond his dancing career he strives to continue to move people towards a satisfying encounter with dance. Robert is motivated by the form that a dancer gains from training in the traditions of classical ballet, where respect and discipline can facilitate breathtaking strength and freedom. He is also inspired by the innovation that forms the function of any artist, that being to bravely and boldly express oneself through art for the greater good of a community. As Artistic Director of Louisville Ballet, Robert continues to contribute to the global arts community, enriching his knowledge of the art form to which he has devoted his life. He is excited by, and committed to, the Louisville community with its abundant respect for the arts and its exciting perspective on the future.
ABOUT THE COMPANY: Louisville Ballet, led by Artistic & Executive Director Robert Curran, is committed to making. moving. art. Louisville Ballet is the State Ballet of Kentucky, offers dance to an audience of more than 43,000 people each year and has earned a national reputation as one of the country’s leading ballet companies. Founded in 1952, the Company has over 70 world premiere ballets to its credit and a repertoire of over 150 works by choreographers such as Marius Petipa, George Balanchine, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Lucas Jervies, Adam Hougland and Val Caniparoli. Louisville Ballet’s education programs reach over 12,000 school children annually through student matinee performances and on-site lecture demonstrations.
For more information, or to request photos, please contact Director of Marketing, Natalie Harris, at (502) 583-3150 x 238 or via email at nharris@louisvilleballet.org.
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