Dale

From the company: BOSTON BALLET ANNOUNCES 2016–2017 SEASON FIRST NORTH AMERICAN COMPANY TO PERFORM WILLIAM FORSYTHE'S ARTIFACT INCLUDES THE NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE OF IVAN LIŠKA’S LE CORSAIRE AND A WORLD PREMIERE BY JORMA ELO February 17, 2016 (BOSTON, MA)—Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen announces the programming for the 2016–2017 season at the Boston Opera House, to begin in October. The 53rd season will launch with Le Corsaire, a historically significant work in the world of ballet that originally premiered in Paris in 1856, followed by Mikko Nissinen’s “dazzling, dreamy” The Nutcracker (Karen Campbell, The Boston Globe). The season continues with the North American Company premiere of William Forsythe’s ARTIFACT, “a work that definitely shows this choreographer as the most influential practitioner of the art form since Balanchine” (Roslyn Sulcas, The New York Times). In April 2017, Marius Petipa’s quintessential The Sleeping Beauty will return with soaring music by Tchaikovsky. The season will also include two mixed repertory programs with works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Jiří Kylián, and Alexander Ekman, as well as a world premiere by Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo. Additionally, Le Corsaire, The Nutcracker, and The Sleeping Beauty will offer Boston Ballet School students the unique opportunity to appear in Company productions. “Boston Ballet’s 2016–2017 season will be a cornucopia of incredible dance full of company premieres, world famous productions, several well-loved ballets, and a world premiere. I am thrilled to share it all with our audiences, and am particularly excited to bring a full-length work of William Forsythe’s to Boston,” explains Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. "It is our goal at Boston Ballet to showcase the transformative power of art and give the audience a chance to be touched by a wide range of programming—this season will certainly do just that." Ivan Liška’s Le Corsaire, a 19th century French-Russian ballet, will kick off the season with adventure and romance October 27–November 6. Its best-known version, with choreography by Ballet Master Marius Petipa, premiered in St. Petersburg in 1863 by the Imperial Ballet. Boston Ballet will present Ivan Liška’s production, created for the Bavarian State Opera Ballet in 2007, which is based on Petipa’s choreological notation. The narrative follows a lovely slave girl, a wealthy aristocrat who is determined to add her to his harem, and a dashing pirate even more resolved to save her. In 1997, Boston Ballet became the first non-Russian ballet company to present the full-length ballet (The Pirate) Le Corsaire, with choreography by Konstantin Sergeyev (after Petipa). The Company will continue making strides in ballet by presenting the North American premiere of this version from Bayerisches Staatsballett. The ballet will feature a sweeping, romantic score by Adolphe Adam and Leo Delibes, performed by Boston Ballet Orchestra. After a record-breaking run in 2015 and being named “the granddaddy of them all” by The Boston Globe’s Karen Campbell, Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker will return November 25–December 31. 2016 will mark the 5-year anniversary of this adaptation with sets and costumes by Robert Perdziola. The “spectacular dancing” will again be illuminated by award-winning lighting designer Mikki Kuntti. More than 200 students from Boston Ballet School will join the cast of Company dancers. Boston Ballet will become the first North American company to perform William Forysthe’s ARTIFACT, on stage February 23–March 5. This four-act ballet, which Forsythe rarely grants permission for performances in its entirety, will feature more than 30 dancers who will be pushing the limits of their physicality to master his signature style. ARTIFACT, created in 1984, is the first full-length work Forsythe created while director of Ballett Frankfurt. According to dance critic Roslyn Sulcas, it was considered “radical in intention and effect 25 years ago” and is widely known as his ode to ballet, showing what ballet can achieve and how ballet technique can be used in various ways. ARTIFACT features two actors and a solo pianist, a nice juxtaposition to the massed ranks of dancers transporting the audience with the architectural, dizzying choreography. The 2017 spring season continues March 23–April 2, with a mixed repertory program entitled KYLIÁN/WINGS OF WAX. This triple-bill will feature George Balanchine’s charming and spirited Donizetti Variations, which was first performed by Boston Ballet in 1964 at Boston Arts Festival—the Company’s professional debut. Jiří Kylián’s seamless, organic Wings of Wax returns with a hauntingly beautiful score of selections by musical giants Philip Glass, Heinrich von Biber, John Cage, and Johann Sebastian Bach. The program ends with Alexander Ekman’s surprising and witty Cacti, with live music by Boston Ballet Orchestra and a string quartet. The coming-of-age fairy tale The Sleeping Beauty, by Marius Petipa with additional choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton, will awaken audiences April 28–May 25. Raved as the “best version” of the classic by critics and audiences alike and one of Boston Ballet’s trademark works, this quintessential production features soaring music by Tchaikovsky and sumptuous sets and costumes by David Walker. After Boston Ballet’s 2013 performances, Jared Bowen of WGBH exclaimed: “This is dance at its most perfect.” The 2016–2017 season closes May 5–27 with ROBBINS/THE CONCERT featuring a range of works to showcase the versatility of the Company. Stravinsky Violin Concerto, a historic collaboration between George Balanchine and Igor Stravinsky, will feature a violin soloist and 20 Company dancers. After it’s Boston Ballet premiere in 2015, Jerome Robbins’ comedic masterpiece The Concert (or the Perils of Everybody) brought audiences to its feet. Dance critic Marcia Siegel for The Arts Fuse described the work as “a sophisticated comment on musical and balletic conventions and one of the funniest ballets ever made.” The final program of the season will also include a world premiere by groundbreaking Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo set to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Tickets for The Nutcracker will go on sale to the public in mid-July. Tickets for the remainder 2016–2017 season will go on sale to the public on September 1. Current subscribers may renew now, and new subscribers can order early to guarantee the best seats at the best price starting March 17. For more information, visit www.bostonballet.org or call 617-695-6955. All performances take place at the Boston Opera House (539 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111): Le Corsaire • October 27–November 6, 2016 Choreography by Ivan Liška, after Marius Petipa Music by Adolphe Adam / Léo Delibes u.a. Full Orchestra North American Premiere The Nutcracker • November 25–December 31, 2016 Choreography by Mikko Nissinen Music by P.I. Tchaikovsky Full Orchestra ARTIFACT • February 23–March 5, 2017 Choreography by William Forsythe Music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Eva Crossman-Hecht Live Music North American Company premiere KYLIÁN/WINGS OF WAX • March 23–April 2, 2017 Donizetti Variations Choreography by George Balanchine Music by Gaetano Donizetti Full Orchestra Wings of Wax Choreography by Jiří Kylián Music by Heinrich von Biber, John Cage, Philip Glass, and Johann Sebastian Bach Cacti Choreography by Alexander Ekman Music by Joseph Haydn, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Andy Stein, Gustav Mahler Full Orchestra and string quartet on stage The Sleeping Beauty • April 28–May 25, 2017 Choreography by Marius Petipa, with additional choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton Music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Full Orchestra ROBBINS/THE CONCERT • May 5–27, 2017 Stravinsky Violin Concerto Choreography by George Balanchine Music by Igor Stravinsky Live Music with solo violinist Boston Ballet Premiere The Concert (or the Perils of Everybody) Choreography by Jerome Robbins Music by Frédéric Chopin, arranged by Clare Grundman Full Orchestra and Solo Pianist on stage World Premiere Choreography by Jorma Elo Music by Johann Sebastian Bach Live Music About Boston Ballet Since 1963, Boston Ballet’s internationally acclaimed performances of classical, neo-classical, and contemporary ballets, combined with a dedication to world class dance education and community initiative programs, have made the institution a leader in its field, with a 52-year history of promoting excellence and access to dance. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and Executive Director Max Hodges, the Company maintains a diverse repertoire, ranging from full-length ballets to new works by some of today's finest choreographers. Boston Ballet's second company, Boston Ballet II, is comprised of dancers who gain experience by performing with the Company and independently, presenting special programs to audiences throughout the Northeast. Programming for Boston Ballet’s 2015-2016 season includes Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler: A Ballet by John Neumeier, making Boston Ballet the first North American Company to perform the work; captivating classical works such as John Cranko’s Onegin and Mikko Nissinen’s Swan Lake; masterpieces by world-renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine and 20th century masters Leonid Yakobson and Léonide Massine; and two highly anticipated world premieres by Karole Armitage and Yury Yanowsky. Boston Ballet School, the official school of Boston Ballet, has a long-standing dedication to excellence and access. Led by Director Margaret Tracey, the School reaches more than 5,000 students (toddler to adult) each year through Boston Ballet School classes, the Summer Dance Workshop, Pre-professional Summer Dance Program and the Pre-Professional Training held at three studio locations in Boston, Newton, and Marblehead. Boston Ballet’s nationally-acclaimed education programs include Citydance, Adaptive Dance, and ECI On Location. The programs are offered in partnership with the Boston Public Schools and in communities throughout the city and region. For more information, please visit www.bostonballet.org. Boston Ballet gratefully acknowledges the following institutional partners: Barr Foundation Boston Cultural Council The Boston Foundation Klarman Family Foundation Massachusetts Cultural Council National Endowment for the Arts State Street Corporation, 2015 Innovation Partner

VAI Music setup a page of material they carry with Verdy. One of them is the Agon Paul mentions. http://www.vaimusic.com/category/Violette.html

A great ballerina and a great person passed away. Just think of the amazing roles that were made for her (Tchaik pas [although it was started on Adams], Emeralds, the Act II pas de deux from Midsummer, the central role in Divert, Episodes, Liebeslieder, Dances at a gathering, La Source etc...). And think of all the dancers she taught and coached. I was lucky enough to see some coaching sessions with her live and just thinking about them brings tears to my eyes. She had the ability to bring so much joy and personality to those sessions while still imparting the important details of the role she was coaching. She was special.

Official release: SASCHA RADETSKY NAMED DIRECTOR, ABT/NYU MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM IN BALLET PEDAGOGY Master’s Program Audition Scheduled for Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. Sascha Radetsky, a former Soloist at American Ballet Theatre, has been named Director of the ABT/NYU Master’s Degree Program in Ballet Pedagogy. Radetsky’s appointment, effective immediately, was announced today by ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie. The New York University Master of Arts Program in Teaching Dance in the Professions with a concentration in ABT Ballet Pedagogy, established in Fall 2008, emphasizes the study of ballet technique combined with discipline-based inquiries and scholarly research. Radetsky was born in Santa Cruz, California, and began his ballet studies in the San Francisco Bay Area with Damara Bennett and Ayako Takahashi. He later studied at the Bolshoi Academy in Moscow and the Kirov Academy in Washington, D.C. He also studied at the summer programs of the School of American Ballet, the San Francisco Ballet School, the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Vail, Colorado, and with Mikhail Baryshnikov at American Ballet Theatre’s School of Classical Ballet. Radetsky joined ABT’s corps de ballet in 1996 and was promoted to Soloist in 2003. His repertoire with the Company included Franz in Coppélia, Prince Charming in Cinderella, Lankendem in Le Corsaire, Espada in Don Quixote, Lescaut in Manon, Bluebird in The Sleeping Beauty, Hilarion in Giselle, Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, Benno and von Rothbart in Swan Lake, Iago in Othello, Orion in Sylvia, Petrouchka in Petrouchka, the Champion Roper in Rodeo and leading roles in The Brahms-Haydn Variations, Clear, Company B, Fancy Free, In the Upper Room, The Leaves Are Fading, Symphony # 9, The Moor’s Pavane, Rabbit and Rogue and Études, among others. In 2008, Radetsky joined Dutch National Ballet as a principal dancer, performing roles such as Albrecht in Giselle and the Son in Prodigal Son. He returned to ABT in 2010 and retired from the Company in 2014. Radetsky starred in the movies Center Stage and the upcoming Center Stage 3, and in the Starz television series Flesh and Bone. He has contributed articles to Dance Magazine, Vogue.com and Newsweek. Radetsky has taught ballet for numerous institutions including American Ballet Theatre, Youth America Grand Prix, the New Mexico School of the Arts, Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, Ballet Arts, Broadway Dance Center, the Dallas Conservatory and the New York City Dance Alliance. He studied at Long Island University and St. Mary’s College, and has lectured at the University of California, Santa Barbara, the AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts and at the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. He has choreographed for Bucknell University’s Department of Theatre and Dance and a commercial for Under Armour. He is a repetiteur-in-training with The Antony Tudor Ballet Trust and was a fall 2015 artistic fellow at New York University’s Center for Ballet and the Arts. Speaking of his appointment, Radetsky said, "The ABT/NYU Master’s Degree Program in Ballet Pedagogy brings together two world-class institutions. I am proud to contribute to this unique partnership and excited at the prospect of developing students into superlative teachers.” ABT/NYU Master’s Program in Ballet Pedagogy The New York University Master’s Program in Teaching Dance in the Professions with a concentration in ABT Ballet Pedagogy is a 36-point graduate degree program that prepares dance teachers for studios, conservatories and company schools, as well as for further doctoral study in dance education and teaching in higher education. The full-time program starts each September and can be completed in three semesters. Students in the program examine the study of ballet technique for the express purpose of developing research-informed and proficient teachers who possess a complete understanding of the use of the biomechanics of movement, artistic imagery and the development of students on professional and recreational tracks of study. Integrated fieldwork studies with American Ballet Theatre and its training programs give students the opportunity to cultivate professional networks in the city that is considered the dance capital of the world. Students also visit other exemplary artistic, teaching and learning venues in New York City. Discipline-based inquiries and scholarly research, along with artistry, increase knowledge and expertise in the theory and practice of dance education and transform the way educators understand and teach dance. Electives and an arts management course help prepare the graduate for employment in multiple settings. Acceptance to the program is by application and audition. The next audition for the ABT/NYU Master’s Program in Ballet Pedagogy, taught by Radetsky, will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 10:00 AM at ABT’s 890 Broadway studios in New York City. A formal application to the program and registration for this audition are required. For more information, please visit http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/music/dance/auditions.

SPAC announced these dates for NYCB, so that's after Paris. New York City Ballet July 20-30 New York City Ballet Gala July 23

Here's some theaters in the Northeast (Mass. mostly, but I'll be watching in Fairfield, CT): https://www.showcasecinemas.com/movie/royal-ballet-rhapsodytwo-pigeons-encore

From the company: BOSTON BALLET ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES MID-SEASON PROMOTIONS IN THE COMPANY PAUL CRAIG AND IRLAN SILVA PROMOTED TO SOLOIST ALEXANDER MARYIANOWSKI PROMOTED TO CORPS DE BALLET January 19, 2016—(Boston, MA) Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen has announced three promotions from within the Company: Paul Craig (USA) and Irlan Silva (Brazil) have been promoted to soloist, and Alexander Maryianowski (USA) has been promoted to the corps de ballet from Boston Ballet II (BBII), Boston Ballet’s second company. The Company is comprised of 68 dancers—including nine dancers in Boston Ballet II (BBII)—representing 20 nationalities. Nissinen continues Boston Ballet’s tradition of developing a strong, versatile company by cultivating talent from within the Company and Boston Ballet School and recruiting from all over the world. Soloist Paul Craig of Manistee, Michigan, began his training at the Conservatory of Dance and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. He later attended Virginia School of the Arts under the direction of Petrus Bosman and Tyrone Brooks. He attended summer programs at Boston Ballet School, Virginia School of the Arts, and Kaatsbaan in Tivoli, New York. Craig joined Boston Ballet II for the 2007-2008 season, and was promoted to the corps de ballet in 2008 and to second soloist in 2014. His repertoire with Boston Ballet includes a diverse range of works including Rudolf Nureyev’s Don Quixote, Mikko Nissinen’s Swan Lake, George Balanchine’s Rubies, and William Forsythe’s The Second Detail, among others. He has also been featured in many works by Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo. Mikko Nissinen expresses, “Paul is an incredibly balanced, steady artist, with elegance and great integrity. I am very happy for all his progress and to promote him to soloist.” This season Craig has excelled in performances of John Neumeier’s Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler and in several lead roles in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker, including Snow King, Herr Drosselmeier, and Nutcracker Prince. Soloist Irlan Silva of Rio de Janiero, Brazil, received his dance training at the Centro de Dance Rio under the direction of Mariza Estrela, and he also worked with Carlos dos Santos. He won the Best Contemporary Dancer Award at Youth America Grand Prix in 2008 and was a Finalist in the Top Twelve Senior Division that same year. In 2007 he won First Place in the Senior Division of Youth America Grand Prix Brazil. He previously danced with American Ballet Theatre II and as a guest artist in Rio de Janeiro. Silva joined Boston Ballet in 2011 and was promoted to second soloist in 2015. Nissinen shares, “Irlan is such an invigorating performer. He has matured, and he rose to the occasion in a major way with Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler. He is ready for the next level of challenges.” Silva is also the subject of Only When I Dance, a documentary following his journey from a favela of Rio de Janiero to an international ballet school. A free film screening, hosted in partnership with the Strand Theatre, will take place Friday, February 5, 7-9pm, at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester. More details can be found on Boston Ballet’s website: www.bostonballet.org/community-events/. Corps de Ballet dancer Alexander Maryianowski of Abilene, Texas, began his training with Nancy Gore at age nine. He attended the Houston Ballet Ben Stevenson Academy in 2011, and joined Houston Ballet II in 2013, where he worked with coaches and choreographers Stanton Welch, Claudio Muñoz, Andrew Murphy, and Sabrina Lenzi, among others. With Houston Ballet II, he toured throughout the U.S. performing Stanton Welch's A Dance In The Garden Of Mirth, Ilya Kozadeyev’s Molto Expressivo, and excerpts from The Sleeping Beauty. Maryianowski attended summer programs at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Houston Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre on full merit scholarships. In 2014, Maryianowski joined Boston Ballet II where he has performed Mikko Nissinen’s Swan Lake and George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations. Nissinen comments, “Alexander is a hard-working, focused young dancer with a bright future.” Maryianowski has been cast in a featured role in John Cranko’s Onegin, which runs February 25-March 6, 2016 at the Boston Opera House. For full biographies and a roster of Company dancers, visit www.bostonballet.org. About Boston Ballet Since 1963, Boston Ballet’s internationally acclaimed performances of classical, neo-classical, and contemporary ballets, combined with a dedication to world class dance education and community initiative programs, have made the institution a leader in its field, with a 52-year history of promoting excellence and access to dance. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and Executive Director Max Hodges, the Company maintains a diverse repertoire, ranging from full-length ballets to new works by some of today's finest choreographers. Boston Ballet's second company, Boston Ballet II, is comprised of dancers who gain experience by performing with the Company and independently, presenting special programs to audiences throughout the Northeast. Programming for Boston Ballet’s 2015-2016 season includes Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler: A Ballet by John Neumeier, making Boston Ballet the first North American Company to perform the work; captivating classical works such as John Cranko’s Onegin and Mikko Nissinen’s Swan Lake; masterpieces by world-renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine and 20th century masters Leonid Yakobson and Léonide Massine; and two highly anticipated world premieres by Karole Armitage and Yury Yanowsky. Boston Ballet School, the official school of Boston Ballet, has a long-standing dedication to providing exceptional dance education and ballet training to students across three studios in Boston, Newton, and the North Shore. Led by Director Margaret Tracey, the School reaches more than 5,000 students (toddler to adult) each year through its four core programs: Children’s Program, Classical Ballet Program, Adult Dance Program, and Pre-Professional Program. Boston Ballet’s Department of Education and Community Initiatives (ECI) provides programming, events, and activities that connect the community to dance. ECI reaches more than 6,000 individuals in Boston, North Shore, and the surrounding communities each year through Citydance, ECI on Location, Adaptive Dance, and other community programs. For more information, please visit www.bostonballet.org. Boston Ballet gratefully acknowledges the following institutional partners: Barr Foundation Boston Cultural Council The Boston Foundation Klarman Family Foundation Massachusetts Cultural Council National Endowment for the Arts State Street Corporation, 2015 Innovation Partner

It was very sad to hear. I first came across Rickman when I saw Les Liaisons Dangereuses on Broadway (I was a huge anglophile in those days and would go and see anything by a British playwright: Stoppard, Hare, Frayn etc... I guess I still am.) Yeah, Lindsay Duncan and Beatie Edney were excellent (especially Duncan) but we all came out of the theater raving about the sexy dangerous Alan Rickman. The voice; the archness... After that I saw him where I could. Another favorite is a little film called Close My Eyes, a movie that introduced me to a young Clive Owen. Galaxy Quest was such a sweet movie and absolutely lifted to another level by Rickman's performance. I loved his villains in Die Hard and Robin Hood. And Sense and Sensibility featured his gently romantic performance as Colonial Brandon. I wasn't a big Love, Actually fan. There was something about the age differences in some the couples, the infidelity just rubbed me the wrong way at the time I saw it. But the acting was fine. I am eager to see him in the Harry Potter films (I belated started reading the books just recently - I'm in book 4). He appeared to be a good man, as well, one who was with his partner/wife for over 50 years. Such a loss.

Official release: KARA MEDOFF BARNETT NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE Tuesday, January 12, 2016 - Donald Kramer, Chairman of The Board of Governing Trustees at American Ballet Theatre, announced the appointment of Kara Medoff Barnett to the position of Executive Director at American Ballet Theatre, effective February 16, 2016. Barnett joins ABT from Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, where she has served as Managing Director of Lincoln Center International since 2012 and previously as Senior Director of Lincoln Center’s Capital Campaign and Director of Strategy and Business Development. As Managing Director of Lincoln Center International, Barnett extended Lincoln Center’s imprint as the world’s leading performing arts center by advancing global philanthropic, educational and convening activities. Barnett has advised cultural organizations, leaders and philanthropists worldwide in strategic planning, construction, programming, management and operations of new arts facilities. She has established Advisory Councils in China and Latin America and welcomed foreign dignitaries including the Vice Premier and First Lady of China to Lincoln Center’s campus. In September 2015, Barnett was instrumental in launching the Lincoln Center Global Exchange, a gathering of leaders across industries and regions devoted to exploring the role art and culture play in addressing critical challenges facing our collective future. As founder and Director of Lincoln Center’s Strategy Group, an internal consulting team with a diverse portfolio of projects, she successfully fostered cross-functional collaborations, non-traditional partnerships and new business development. Barnett has produced theater on and off Broadway and received a 2003 Tony Award as an Associate Producer of Long Day’s Journey Into Night. She currently serves on the Advisory Committee of the American Theatre Wing. “I am so pleased to make this announcement today,” said Donald Kramer, Chairman of the Board of Governing Trustees. “Kara's proven track record as an innovative leader, fundraiser and planner positions her perfectly to lead ABT into its next exciting chapter. Her experience working with leaders of ambitious performing arts projects around the world bodes well for ABT in its role as a leading national and international cultural ambassador. We are confident that she can bring her executive skill to the benefit of ABT, and we welcome her to our organization.” Barnett was recruited as American Ballet Theatre’s new Executive Director following an extensive search, which began in June 2015. ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie has served in the capacity of acting Executive Director since August 2015 and will continue his work as full-time Artistic Director upon Barnett’s arrival. “American Ballet Theatre is one of our country's most vibrant cultural treasures and one of the world's preeminent ballet companies,” said Barnett. “To be asked to help lead this extraordinary institution is truly a privilege. With a beloved and growing repertoire, esteemed education programs, extensive national and international engagements, and outstanding dancers, ABT is poised for a dazzling future. Working in partnership with Kevin McKenzie, a resourceful board, a gifted staff and an unparalleled company of artists and educators will be thrilling. Together with them I look forward to sharing the vitality and wonder of ballet with expanding audiences in New York City, across the country, and around the world.” Speaking of Barnett’s appointment, McKenzie said, "I am delighted to welcome Kara as my partner and to ABT. With a warmth and palpable intellect, she brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of what an artistic institution needs to thrive and excel." Barnett is a summa cum laude graduate of Duke University and received her MBA from Harvard Business School. She is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the Class of 2015 Henry Crown Fellows at the Aspen Institute. In 2014, Barnett was named “40 Under 40” in Crain’s New York Business. For more information on American Ballet Theatre, please visit www.abt.org.

The official release: CYNTHIA HARVEY NAMED ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS SCHOOL AT AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE Cynthia Harvey, a former Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre, has been appointed Artistic Director of the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. Harvey’s appointment, which becomes effective May 2016, was announced today by ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie. Harvey will succeed Franco De Vita, who was first named Principal of the ABT JKO School in 2005 and Artistic Director in 2013. De Vita will retire from the position in April 2016. Harvey was born in San Rafael, California and began her dance training at age eight with Christine Walton in Novato, California. She later attended the American Ballet Theatre School under the direction of Patricia Wilde and Leon Danielian She joined ABT in 1974, was promoted to Soloist in 1978 and became a Principal Dancer in 1982. Harvey performed all of the leading ballerina roles in the classical canon including Kitri in Don Quixote, Odette-Odile in Swan Lake, Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty and the title roles in Giselle, Romeo and Juliet and Manon. She created the role of Gamzatti in Natalia Makarova’s La Bayadère, the Western World Premiere of the complete ballet. In 1986, Harvey joined The Royal Ballet as a principal dancer at the invitation of Sir Anthony Dowell, becoming the first American dancer to hold that distinction. She rejoined ABT in 1988 and continued to perform as a guest artist with companies around the world before retiring from the stage in 1996. “It is an honor to return to American Ballet Theatre as Artistic Director of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School,” said Harvey. “Since 2005, the ABT JKO School has grown significantly under the artistic direction of Franco De Vita, who, along with Raymond Lukens, has helped shape ABT’s National Training Curriculum and implement several admirable programs. Over the last two decades, I have devoted myself to teaching, coaching and staging for companies and schools internationally. I have enjoyed mentoring young dancers and being a small cog in the wheel of some extraordinary institutions. I look forward to refining that which my predecessor has put into place and to further advancing the school and fostering young talent.” “I am so very pleased that Cynthia will be returning to ABT, “ said Kevin McKenzie. “She brings with her a wealth of knowledge, not only of our history, but years of experience teaching and advocating for best practices in teaching methods. This holds such promise for future generations of dancers to be trained here at JKO and can build on the successes of Franco De Vita.” In her post-performing career, Harvey served as a respected coach and guest teacher with The Norwegian National Ballet and in 2009, staged a complete production of Giselle for the company. Additionally, she staged a full-length production of The Sleeping Beauty for Hong Kong Ballet in 2010, “Kingdom of the Shades” from La Bayadère for The Royal Ballet of Flanders and her production of Don Quixote for Singapore Dance Theatre in 2014. A sought-after guest teacher and ballet mistress, Harvey has conducted classes for American Ballet Theatre, The Australian Ballet, The Royal Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet School, Teatro alla Scala and The Zurich Ballet. She is a regular guest ballet mistress at the Semperöper Ballett in Dresden and has served as a Principal guest teacher for the English National Ballet School. Harvey has appeared at several competitions, including Rosetta Mauri, Tanzolymp, the First International Competition in Sitges, Spain and Dance World Cup Spain. She will serve as Ladies coach for the 2016 Prix de Lausanne and has previously served as Jury President for the competition. In addition, Harvey served on the board of DanceEast, the National Agency for Dance in England and was a prominent member of the committee that saw major ballet directors and ballet school directors from around the world gather to discuss issues relating to improving life for ballet companies and schools. Until 2010, she was standards assessor for The Council for Dance Education and Training in the United Kingdom. She is a member of the International Council of Dance. In early 2014, Harvey formed “En Avant Foundation”, a non-profit foundation for mentoring and coaching ballet for prodigious young dancers. She is the co-author of “Physics of Dance & the Pas de Deux.” American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School Established in 2004, the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School aims to provide the highest quality ballet training, consistent with the stylistic requirements of American Ballet Theatre, and to provide dancers with a rich knowledge of classical technique and the ability to adapt to all styles and techniques of dance. The curriculum of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School is ABT's National Training Curriculum, which combines scientific principles with elements from the classic French, Italian and Russian schools of training. The ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School serves approximately 300 students and encompasses a Pre-professional division for dancers ages 12-18 and a Children’s division for dancers ages 3-14. Classes include classical ballet technique, pointe, partnering, men's class, character, modern technique, variations and Pilates. In addition, students participate in the ABT JKO School Wellness Lecture Series, designed to educate students and their parents on subjects facing aspiring professional dancers.

From the company: JEFFREY CIRIO RETURNS FOR THE HOLIDAYS FORMER BOSTON BALLET PRINCIPAL DANCER TO JOIN FOR SELECT PERFORMANCES OF MIKKO NISSINEN’S THE NUTCRACKER DATE, 2015—(Boston, MA) Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen welcomes Jeffrey Cirio, former Boston Ballet Principal Dancer, back to the Boston Opera House Stage for select performances of The Nutcracker. Cirio will join the cast of Company dancers for performances on December 24 at 3 pm, December 26 at 7:30 pm, December 27 at 5:30 pm, December 29 at 7:30 pm, and December 30 at 1 pm, as well as a special New Year’s Eve appearance on December 31 at 7:30 pm. He will be dancing the roles of Snow King, Grand Pas, and Russian.* “Our patrons have watched Jeff grow and mature as an artist from his training as a Boston Ballet School student through his tenure as a Company Dancer last season. He is beloved by audiences and critics-alike in the roles of young Fritz in his early years to the leading Nutcracker Prince," explains Mikko Nissinen, Boston Ballet Artistic Director. "The Nutcracker is a joyful family tradition for so many— an opportunity to come together to create cherished memories with the ones we love. We are thrilled to welcome Jeff back to celebrate the holidays with his Boston Ballet family, and to be a part of the wonderful joy the production brings to life." Cirio’s affiliation with Boston Ballet began in 2003 as a student of Boston Ballet School. After spending a year as a Trainee in 2006–2007, Cirio was invited to join Boston Ballet II (BBII)—Boston Ballet’s second company—at the age of 16. Cirio then trained at Orlando Ballet School with Peter Stark, who recently joined Boston Ballet in August 2015 as Associate Director of BBII and Head of Men’s Program of Boston Ballet School. Cirio returned to Boston Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in 2009, and was promoted to Second Soloist in 2010, Soloist in 2011, and Principal Dancer in 2012. He was the youngest male Principal Dancer in Boston Ballet’s history at the age of 20. Cirio is the recipient of numerous awards: he received a gold medal at the 2009 World Ballet Competition, won a coveted Princess Grace Fellowship, and was the first American to be awarded a gold medal at the Helsinki International Ballet Competition in 2009. Cirio was also nominated for the Best Male Classical Dance Performance at the 2013 National Dance Awards in the UK for his performance during Boston Ballet’s London Tour in Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo's Plan to B. During his tenure at Boston Ballet, Cirio excelled in an array of roles ranging from classical to contemporary. With Boston Ballet, he is best known for his roles in Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixote and George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, among many others, as well as his standout partnership with Principal Dancer Misa Kuranaga. Cirio originated the principal roles in Jorma Elo’s Awake Only and Elo Experience. In 2014, Cirio was commissioned by Boston Ballet to choreograph of trial, and in 2015, he choreographed his first work for the Boston Opera House stage entitled fremd. He is also the brother of Lia Cirio, Boston Ballet Principal Dancer. Jeffrey Cirio joined American Ballet Theatre as a Soloist in August 2015. *Dates and roles subject to change. For images of Jeffrey Cirio in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker: https://bostonballet.smugmug.com/The-Nutcracker/Jeffrey-Cirio-Guest-Appearance/n-SnzJsd/. (Please include proper photo credits, which can be found in the caption of each photo.) Performances of The Nutcracker will take place at the Boston Opera House (539 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111). Tickets start at $35. For more information, visit www.bostonballet.org or call 617-695-6955. ABOUT: Since 1963, Boston Ballet’s internationally acclaimed performances of classical, neo-classical, and contemporary ballets, combined with a dedication to world class dance education and community initiative programs, have made the institution a leader in its field, with a 52-year history of promoting excellence and access to dance. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and Executive Director Max Hodges, the Company maintains a diverse repertoire, ranging from full-length ballets to new works by some of today's finest choreographers. Boston Ballet's second company, Boston Ballet II, is comprised of dancers who gain experience by performing with the Company and independently, presenting special programs to audiences throughout the Northeast. Programming for Boston Ballet’s 2015-2016 season includes Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler: A Ballet by John Neumeier, making Boston Ballet the first North American Company to perform the work; captivating classical works such as John Cranko’s Onegin and Mikko Nissinen’s Swan Lake; masterpieces by world-renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine and 20th century masters Leonid Yakobson and Léonide Massine; and two highly anticipated world premieres by Karole Armitage and Yury Yanowsky. Boston Ballet School, the official school of Boston Ballet, has a long-standing dedication to providing exceptional dance education and ballet training to students across three studios in Boston, Newton, and the North Shore. Led by Director Margaret Tracey, the School reaches more than 5,000 students (toddler to adult) each year through its four core programs: Children’s Program, Classical Ballet Program, Adult Dance Program, and Pre-Professional Program. Boston Ballet’s Department of Education and Community Initiatives (ECI) provides programming, events, and activities that connect the community to dance. ECI reaches more than 6,000 individuals in Boston, North Shore, and the surrounding communities each year through Citydance, ECI on Location, Adaptive Dance, and other community programs. For more information, please visit www.bostonballet.org.

Be warned on the CT performances. I saw this production a few years ago and was horrified (and bored). I wasn't expecting NYCB but it was not up to par. And Part performed Ratmansky's grand pas de deux, which I find lacking if not surrounded by the rest of the production. Maybe the NYCB dancers will perform Balanchine's pas de deux and solo. Nutmeg Ballet and Eastern CT's Nutcracker's were more satisfying. Anyway, I did not find it was worth what I paid plus the delightful bumper-to-bumper holiday traffic to see this.

The schedule has been released: http://jacobspillow.org/festival/events/ticketed-performances/

A release: AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE TO RING NASDAQ STOCK MARKET OPENING BELL, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015, 9:30 A.M. Students from the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School costumed for The Nutcracker will appear at the Opening Bell ceremony at NASDAQ on Friday, December 4 at 9:30 A.M. The Opening Bell ceremony highlights ABT’s annual production of The Nutcracker and its West Coast premiere at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California. In honor of the occasion, ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie will ring the Opening Bell. American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker, choreographed by ABT Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky, is set to a score by Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky and features scenery and costumes by Richard Hudson and lighting by Jennifer Tipton. The Nutcracker will be given 14 performances at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, December 10-20, 2015. Tickets are available for purchase online at SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling (714) 556-2787. The NASDAQ MarketSite is located at 4 Times Square. The Opening Bell Ceremony can be viewed live online beginning at 9:15 A.M. at https://new.livestream.com/nasdaq/live.

From the company: AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE TO AUCTION 75TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR’S EDITION POINTE SHOES, NOVEMBER 20-NOVEMBER 29, 2015 MANOLO BLAHNIK, KARL LAGERFELD, DOLCE & GABBANA, CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, MARCHESA AND NARCISO RODRIGUEZ AMONG THE DESIGNER CREATIONS AVAILABLE FOR AUCTION THROUGH eBAY FOR CHARITY A special auction of collector’s edition ballet pointe shoes celebrating American Ballet Theatre’s 75th Anniversary is scheduled for November 20 thru November 29, 2015 on the eBay for Charity auction site. As part of ABT’s 15-month 75th Anniversary celebration, top fashion designers paid tribute to the Company’s Diamond Jubilee in a special museum-worthy pointe shoe display at the Metropolitan Opera House. These one-of-a-kind shoes will now be available for purchase by the general public through eBay for Charity auctions. In all, nine designers were enlisted by Hamish Bowles, International Editor at Large for American Vogue and ABT Trustee, to reinterpret a ballet pointe shoe in both elaborate and minimalist ways. These unique collector shoes reflect the aesthetic of each designer. Contributing to the exhibition were Manolo Blahnik, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Louboutin, Peter Copping for Oscar de la Renta, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Marchesa, Narciso Rodriguez and Christian Siriano. In addition, famed British milliner Stephen Jones created a ballet-inspired fascinator employing silk and miniature pointe shoes, which will also be auctioned. Bidding for single one-of-a-kind pointe shoes and the Stephen Jones fascinator will begin at $500. Bidding for the auction's featured "pair" of pointe shoes by Christian Louboutin will begin at $850. Surprise ABT/celebrity collector’s items will also be offered for auction at points during the bidding period. For more information on these items, please watch for announcements on ABT’s Facebook and Twitter pages. To see photos of American Ballet Theatre’s Collector’s Edition Pointe Shoes and other items, please see link and visit: www.abt.org/eBayPointeShoeAuction For more information on ABT, please visit: www.abt.org.

http://www.nycballet.com/NYCB/media/NYCBMediaLibrary/PDFs/Press/Casting/NYCB-Casting_Nov-27-29,-2015_lobby.pdf

A release: AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE DANCERS TO BE FEATURED ON TV’s JEOPARDY! TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2015 For the second time this year, dancers from American Ballet Theatre will be featured in a special ballet category on the television quiz show JEOPARDY!. On Tuesday, November 17, 2015, in a category entitled “Tough Ballet,” ABT Company members will demonstrate iconic excerpts from its repertoire and read the accompanying clues. The JEOPARDY! crew traveled to ABT’s New York City rehearsal studios last February to film footage for the category with Principal Dancers Gillian Murphy and Cory Stearns, Soloists Sarah Lane and Craig Salstein and corps de ballet member Blaine Hoven. This will be American Ballet Theatre’s second appearance on JEOPARDY!; last May, ABT dancers presented clues in a category dedicated to the Company’s 75th Anniversary. JEOPARDY!, America’s Favorite Quiz Show®, and its host, Alex Trebek, are in their 32nd season in syndication. The top-ranked quiz show, with 26 million viewers each week, JEOPARDY! holds the Guinness World Records® title for the most Emmy® Awards won by a TV game show (32 Emmys), including the 2015 Emmy® for Outstanding Game Show. In 2014, JEOPARDY! won the inaugural Writers Guild of America award for Outstanding Writing for a Quiz and Audience Participation Show; it is also the recipient of a 2011 Peabody Award. JEOPARDY! is produced by Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company; it is distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and internationally by CBS Television International, both units of CBS Corp. For more information, please visit Jeopardy.com. JEOPARDY! is syndicated nationally; check your local listings. For more information about American Ballet Theatre, please visit www.abt.org.

Casting

Official release: AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE’S 2016 SPRING SEASON AT THE METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE, MAY 9-JULY 2, 2016, TO FEATURE WORLD PREMIERE WORK BY ABT ARTIST IN RESIDENCE ALEXEI RATMANSKY AND AMERICAN PREMIERE OF THE GOLDEN COCKEREL SEASON TO ALL INCLUDE REVIVAL OF LA FILLE MAL GARDÉE AND TWO ALL-RATMANSKY REPERTORY PROGRAMS GUEST ARTIST ALESSANDRA FERRI TO DANCE THE ROLE OF JULIET IN ROMEO AND JULIET ON THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016 American Ballet Theatre’s 2016 Spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie. A World Premiere work by Alexei Ratmansky and the American Premiere of Ratmansky’s The Golden Cockerel will highlight the season, which includes six additional full-length ballets. Principal Dancers for the 2016 Metropolitan Opera House season include Stella Abrera, Roberto Bolle, Isabella Boylston, Misty Copeland, Herman Cornejo, Marcelo Gomes, David Hallberg, Maria Kochetkova, Alban Lendorf, Gillian Murphy, Veronika Part, Polina Semionova, Hee Seo, Daniil Simkin, Cory Stearns, Diana Vishneva and James Whiteside. 2016 Spring Gala Performance and World Premiere American Ballet Theatre’s 2016 Spring Gala will be held during the second week of the Met season, Monday, May 16 at 6:30 P.M. and will feature a World Premiere work by Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky set to Leonard Bernstein’s Serenade after Plato’s Symposium. ABT’s Spring Gala performance will include appearances by all of ABT’s Principal Dancers. For information on ABT’s 2016 Spring Gala, please call the Special Events Office at 212-477-3030, ext. 3310. All-Ratmansky Repertory Programs The second week of American Ballet Theatre’s Spring season, May 17-23, will feature two repertory programs of works choreographed by Ratmansky. The first program, Ratmansky’s 2013 Shostokovich Trilogy, features the choreographer’s Symphony #9, Chamber Symphony and Piano Concerto #1. Shostakovich Trilogy will be given four performances, May 17, 20, 21 evening and 23. Another triple bill of Ratmansky works, featuring the Ratmansky/Bernstein premiere, Seven Sonatas (2009) and Firebird (2012), will have four performances, May 18 matinee and evening, May 19 and the matinee of May 21. American Premiere Alexei Ratmansky’s The Golden Cockerel will be given its American Premiere by American Ballet Theatre on Monday evening, June 6, 2016 with Veronika Part (Queen of Shemakah) and Skylar Brandt (the Golden Cockerel) leading the first cast. Set to music by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov with sets and costumes by Richard Hudson, Ratmansky’s The Golden Cockerel is inspired by Michel Fokine’s original production. Sorella Englund and Anne Holm-Jensen Peyk will stage the ballet for ABT. Based on Alexander Pushkin’s folktale, The Golden Cockerel was first presented on May 21, 1914 at the Théâtre Nationale de l’Opera, Paris, with choreography by Michel Fokine and scenery and costumes by Natalia Goncharova. Ratmansky’s choreography for The Golden Cockerel received its World Premiere by the Royal Danish Ballet on September 29, 2012 at the Copenhagen Opera House, Denmark. The Golden Cockerel will be given eight performances through June 11. Revival Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée returns to the repertory on Tuesday evening, May 24 for eight performances through Monday, May 30. Choreographed by Frederick Ashton and set to music by Ferdinand Hérold, La Fille mal gardée features designs by Osbert Lancaster, a scenario by Jean Dauberval and lighting by Brad Fields. Isabella Boylston and Alban Lendorf will dance the leading roles of Lise and Colas in the ballet’s first performance of the season on May 24. La Fille mal gardée received its World Premiere by The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on January 28, 1960, danced by Nadia Nerina (Lise), David Blair (Colas), Alexander Grant (Alain) and Stanley Holden (Widow Simone). La Fille mal gardée received its United States Premiere by The Royal Ballet at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York on September 14, 1960, danced by the same cast. The ballet received its American Ballet Theatre Company Premiere at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York on May 31, 2002, danced by Ashley Tuttle (Lise) and Ethan Stiefel (Colas). Last performed by ABT in 2003, the ballet will be staged for the Company by Malin Thoors. Full-Length Ballets American Ballet Theatre will present five additional full-length ballets during its Spring season. Gillian Murphy, Marcelo Gomes and James Whiteside will dance the leading roles in the season’s first performance of Frederick Ashton’s Sylvia on Monday evening, May 9. A ballet in three acts, Sylvia is set to music by Léo Delibes and features costumes and scenery after original designs by Robin and Christopher Ironside. Additional designs for Sylvia are by Peter Farmer and lighting is by Mark Jonathan. The World Premiere of the original production of Sylvia was given by The Royal Ballet on September 3, 1952 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, danced by Margot Fonteyn (Sylvia), Michael Somes (Aminta), John Hart (Orion) and Alexander Grant (Eros). The World Premiere of this revival of Sylvia by was given by The Royal Ballet on November 4, 2004 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, danced by Darcey Bussell (Sylvia), Jonathan Cope (Aminta), Thiago Soares (Orion) and Martin Harvey (Eros). Sylvia received its American Ballet Theatre Company Premiere at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York on June 3, 2005, danced by Gillian Murphy (Sylvia), Maxim Beloserkovsky (Aminta), Marcelo Gomes (Orion) and Herman Cornejo (Eros). Sylvia was last performed by ABT in 2013. The season’s first performance of Le Corsaire on Tuesday, May 31 features Maria Kochetkova, Herman Cornejo, Sarah Lane, Daniil Simkin and Jeffrey Cirio in the leading roles. Based on the Lord Byron poem “The Corsair” (1814), the ballet features choreography by Konstantin Sergeyev after Marius Petipa, and staging by Anna-Marie Holmes after Petipa and Sergeyev, with music by Adolphe Adam, Cesare Pugni, Léo Delibes, Riccardo Drigo and Prince Oldenbourg. Scenery and costumes are by Irina Konstantinovna Tibilova, with additional costume designs by Robert Perdziola and lighting by Mary Jo Dondlinger. Le Corsaire received its Company Premiere by American Ballet Theatre on June 19, 1998 with Nina Ananiashvili (Medora), Ashley Tutttle (Gulnare), Giuseppe Picone (Conrad), Angel Corella (Birbanto), Jose Manuel Carréno (Ali, the slave) and Vladimir Malakhov (Lankendem). Eight performances of Swan Lake, choreographed by Kevin McKenzie after Marius Petipa, will be given beginning Monday, June 13 with Polina Semionova and Marcelo Gomes leading the opening night cast. Swan Lake is set to the score by Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky and features scenery and costumes by Zack Brown and lighting by Duane Schuler. This production of Swan Lake premiered on March 24, 2000 at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. with Julie Kent (Odette-Odile), Angel Corella (Prince Siegfried) and Marcelo Gomes (von Rothbart). Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet will be given eight performances beginning Monday evening, June 20 with Hee Seo and Cory Stearns in the title roles. Set to the score by Sergei Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet features scenery and costumes by Nicholas Georgiadis and lighting by Thomas Skelton. On Thursday evening, June 23, Guest Artist and former ABT Principal Dancer Alessandra Ferri will return to the role of Juliet for the first time since her retirement from the Company in 2007. Ferri will dance opposite Herman Cornejo as Romeo. Romeo and Juliet received its World Premiere by The Royal Ballet in London on February 9, 1965 and was given its ABT Company Premiere at the Metropolitan Opera House on April 22, 1985 with Leslie Browne and Robert La Fosse in the leading roles. Last season’s World Premiere production of Alexei Ratmansky’s The Sleeping Beauty returns to the Metropolitan Opera House for eight performances beginning Monday evening, June 27. Set to the classic score by Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky, The Sleeping Beauty has choreography by Marius Petipa and staging and additional choreography by Alexei Ratmansky, with assistance by Tatiana Ratmansky. The production features scenery and costumes by Tony Award®-winning designer Richard Hudson. Hudson’s designs are based on the historic work of Léon Bakst, who created a seminal version of The Sleeping Beauty for Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in 1921. The Sleeping Beauty received its World Premiere on March 3, 2015 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California, danced by Diana Vishneva (Princess Aurora) and Marcelo Gomes (Prince Désiré). ABTKids ABTKids, American Ballet Theatre’s annual one-hour introduction to ballet, is scheduled for Saturday morning, June 11 at 11:30 A.M. All tickets for ABTKids are $25. Subscriptions for American Ballet Theatre’s 2016 Spring Season at the Metropolitan Opera House, on sale beginning Monday, October 26, are available by phone at 212-362-6000, or online at ABT’s website www.abt.org.

A release: AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE TO PERFORM ON ABC’S “JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE,” MONDAY, OCTOBER 19 11:35|10:35p CT Principal Dancer Misty Copeland and Company members from American Ballet Theatre will make a guest appearance on the first night of ABC's “Jimmy Kimmel Live” at Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, NY, Monday, October 19, 2015. Host Jimmy Kimmel will welcome Ms. Copeland and fifteen ABT dancers for a special performance on the BAM stage, choreographed for the occasion by former ABT Principal Dancer Ethan Stiefel. “Jimmy Kimmel Live” airs at 11:35|10:35p CT on ABC. For more information, visit abc.go.com/shows/jimmy-kimmel-live. American Ballet Theatre performs its Fall Season at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center from October 21 through November 1. For more information, please visit www.abt.org.

The information is in the original press release that I posted. You can see it now that I've merged these two topics. There's also a webcast, so everybody who wants to watch should be able to.

From an email. http://music.yale.edu/2015/10/06/yale-school-music-presents-prima-ballerina-performance-conversation/ There will be a livestream: Prima ballerina Uliana Lopatkina visits Yale “More than any other dancer she reveals both the absolute rigour of her training and an instinctive dignity and musicality that is all her own.” —The Telegraph Residency offers three events Oct. 13–15 featuring Lopatkina, principal dancer with the Kirov Ballet Lecture-Demonstration October 13 Tuesday, 4:00 pm • Morse Recital Hall Lopatkina will discuss and demonstrate technical issues in classical ballet With a question-and-answer period Performance: Legends of Russian Ballet ** October 14 Wednesday, 7:30 pm • Morse Recital Hall Featuring Uliana Lopatkina with Andrey Ermakov in gems of the repertoires of Anna Pavlova, Galina Ulaniva, and Maya Plietskaya and video footage of all three legends Lopatkina in Conversation October 15 Thursday, 12:30 pm • Morse Recital Hall With Emily Coates, Director of Dance Studies at Yale, and Robert Blocker, Dean of the Yale School of Music All events are free and open to the public and will stream live online **Tickets for the Oct. 14 performance will be available from the Sprague Hall box office beginning at 5:30 pm on the day of the performance only. Tickets are free and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Limit four per person.

A release: THE TAYLOR SCHOOL EXPANDS CURRICULUM BEGINNING OCTOBER 2015 LARRY KEIGWIN AND DOUG ELKINS TEACH MASTER CLASSES MARNIE THOMAS TO TEACH MARTHA GRAHAM MASTER CLASS SERIES NEW YORK, September 30, 2015 – The Taylor School is expanding its curriculum with a series of Master Classes beginning in October. Larry Keigwin and Doug Elkins will teach three two-hour master classes each and Marnie Thomas will be teaching two weeks of Martha Graham classes. Students will have the chance to study with the choreographers selected for the inaugural Season of Taylor Company Commissions. Mr. Keigwin will teach classes on October 16, 23 and 30. Mr. Elkins will teach classes November 6, 13 and 20, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Mr. Keigwin will provide a vigorous and fun warm-up that moves quickly into phrase work emblematic of his style. Emphasis will be on learning and mastering the dance by employing curiosity, a sense of humor, and passion for movement. Participants will excavate movement ideas with simple considerations of space, design, and narrative within a collaborative format. This class offers a playful environment that has you alternating between dancer and choreographer to discover and deepen your unique interests, process, and dancing. Mr. Elkins’ warm up and class focus are informed by Capoeira, soft martial arts, Systema, animal movements, b-boying (breaking), and somatic practice in synthesis. Flow and circular motions and spirals will be emphasized in order to facilitate greater awareness while also investigating intricate floor work, dynamic falling, rolling, collapsing, flipping, waving and melting through the space and dancing/flowing through the different surfaces of our bodies. Improvisational skills from the phrase work learned in class will also be investigated. Students are asked to bring knee pads and a t-shirt that covers shoulders (for floor work). Ms. Thomas' advanced-professional level Graham class will focus on the contrasting dynamics of breath, spiral, oppositional as well as contraction and release. It will begin with basic warm-up exercises on the floor and standing, and will culminate in a traveling phrase from the repertory of Martha Graham. Ms. Thomas will teach classes Monday, November 30 through Thursday, December 3 and Monday, December 7 through Thursday, December 10 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Gala release: AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE 2015 FALL GALA AT DAVID H. KOCH THEATER, WEDNESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 21 AT 6:30 P.M. Gala Evening Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co. American Ballet Theatre’s 2015 Fall season at the David H. Koch Theater opens Wednesday, October 21 with the annual opening night Gala at 6:30 P.M. Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co., the evening will feature the New York City Premiere of After You by choreographer Mark Morris, the Company Premiere of Frederick Ashton’s Monotones I and II and the Revival Premiere of Twyla Tharp’s The Brahms-Haydn Variations. Sarah Arison, Melissa A. Smith, Sutton Stracke, Monica G-S Wambold and Leslie Ziff will serve as Gala Co-Chairs. Toni and Martin Sosnoff will be honored with The Melville Straus Leadership Achievement Award. Dinner and dancing will immediately follow the performance on The Promenade at the David H. Koch Theater. Proceeds from the 75th Anniversary Fall Gala will support ABT’s education and community outreach programs. For further Gala information, please contact Buckley Hall Events, 914-597-1000. Performance-only tickets, beginning at $25, are available online, at the Koch Theater box office or by phone at 212-496-0600. The David H. Koch Theater is located at Lincoln Center, Broadway and 63rd Street in New York City. For more information, visit ABT’s website at www.abt.org.

Press release: Pennsylvania Ballet Welcomes New Artistic Staff and Dancers for the 2015-2016 Season Internationally renowned dancer, Charles Askegard, joins the Company as Ballet Master, Kyra Nichols’ role is expanded, and five new dancers will join the Company. Philadelphia, PA (September 15, 2015) – Pennsylvania Ballet and Artistic Director Angel Corella are pleased to announce that Charles Askegard, former Principal Dancer at New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theater, will be joining the Company as Ballet Master. Kyra Nichols, former New York City Ballet Principal Dancer, will also expand her role by becoming a Ballet Master and five new dancers have joined the Company for the 2015-2016 Season. “I’m pleased to have Charles Askegard bring his wealth of knowledge and perspective to our artistic team,” said Angel Corella, Pennsylvania Ballet Artistic Director. “As I work to diversify the programs while honoring the Balanchine tradition of the Company, Charles is the perfect fit. He has danced a variety of styles in his career, from modern to the Company’s beloved Balanchine works.”; Charles Askegard brings a wealth of knowledge from his distinguished career. In 1987, Mr. Askegard joined American Ballet Theatre (ABT) under the direction of Mikhail Baryshnikov. He performed with ABT for ten years, performing many lead roles in both full-length and repertory ballets including Swan Lake, Giselle, La Bayadere, and Romeo and Juliet, and working with legendary choreographers Agnes de Mille, Twyla Tharp, Natalia Makarova, Lar Lubovitch, and Glen Tetley. In 1997 he joined the New York City Ballet where he performed for fourteen years as a Principal Dancer. His repertoire at NYCB included many Balanchine ballets including Diamonds from Balanchine’s full length Jewels, Stars and Stripes, Theme and Variations, and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. In addition, he has had the honor of working with Jerome Robbins, Peter Martins, Eliot Feld, Christopher Wheeldon, and Helgi Tommason. After leaving the New York City Ballet, he co-founded “Ballet Next,” a company for which he choreographed, performed and directed until 2013. Before becoming Ballet Master for Pennsylvania Ballet, he taught at Ballet Academy East as well as the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive, has been a guest teacher across the nation, and is a frequent judge for the Youth America Grand Prix. “I’m very excited to start working with Angel Corella and the Company,” said Askegard. “My expertise and experience aligns well with the future of the Company and I look forward to making an imprint on Pennsylvania Ballet and its’ dancers.”; Kyra Nichols began her professional career performing with Alan Howard’s San Francisco based Pacific Ballet before moving to New York where she became an apprentice at NYCB in 1974 and quickly became a member of the corps de ballet. In 1979, George Balanchine promoted her to the rank of Principal Dancer. Her early years in the Company were enlivened by the presence of George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, both of whom were choreographing on the Company. Kyra Nichols danced numerous leading roles in the Company repertory, ranging from pyrotechnic displays of bravura skill in ballets such as Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto Number 2 and Stars and Stripes to more lyrical and dramatic roles such those in Liebeslieder Walzer and Robert Schumann’s Davidsbundlertanze. Ms. Nichols also worked with an extensive list of choreographers including, William Forsythe, Susan Stroman, Christopher Wheeldon, Peter Martins, Jacques D’Amboise, Robert La Fosse and Robert Garland. Kyra retired from New York City Ballet in June of 2007, after 33 years with the company. Since then Ms. Nichols has been teaching and setting ballets across the nation. Dancers Nicolai Gorodiskii will join the company as a Soloist, Ana Calderon will become a member of the Corps de Ballet, and Aaron Anker, Marjorie Feiring and Kathryn Manger join as apprentices. The dancers will bring their diverse backgrounds and talent to Pennsylvania Ballet’s ever-growing repertoire. “I’m excited to see what our new dancers will bring to the Company,” said Angel Corella, Pennsylvania Ballet Artistic Director. “Both Nicolai Gorodiskii and Ana Calderon have impressive professional international dance experience that will further diversify the culture, style and technique of the Company.”; Nicolai Gorodiskii was born in the Ukraine and grew up in Buenos Aires, which is where he began his ballet training in 2007 at The Superior Art Institute of the Colón Theater and completed his training in 2013 on scholarship at The Ballet Academy at the Vienna State Opera. Throughout his dance education, Mr. Gorodiskii formed part of the famous Viennese concert Opernball, and earned several honors at the 2009 DanzaAmerica competition including the gold medal and the Revelation Prize for Classical and Modern Dance. He was also the gold medalist at the Prague International Ballet Competition in the Czech Republic in 2012, and winner of the Grand Prix at the Levante Danza festival in Italy in 2013, among others. In November of 2013, Mr. Gorodiskii joined the National Theatre of Croatia as a soloist and in 2014 joined Ballet Estable del Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. In April of 2014, the Director of the National Theatre in Salzburg, Austria invited him to perform at the company’s annual gala. Mr. Gorodiskii’s repertoire includes the role of Nutcracker Doll and Mirlitons from The Nutcracker, Spanish Dance from Swan Lake, Friends in Coppélia and The Joker in Alice in Wonderland as well as Moon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the soloist role “Paysan Pas de Deux”; in Paloma Herrera’s cast of Giselle, among others. Ana Calderon of Santander, Spain received her training from the Royal Conservatory of Professional Dance in Madrid. In 2004, she was awarded the Grand Prize from the Princess Grace Foundation of Monaco before starting her career at Zurich Ballet in Switzerland. In 2007, Ms. Calderon began dancing with “Angel Corella and Friends,” and then joined Angel Corella’s Barcelona Ballet, where she was promoted to Soloist in 2010. In 2013, Ms. Calderon joined Houston Ballet as a member of the Corps de Ballet under the direction of Stanton Welch. Some of Ms. Calderon’s repertoire includes Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Coppélia, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Les Indes Galantes, George Balanchine’s Who Cares? and Ballo della Regina, Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room, Nacho Duato’s Jardi Tancat, Christopher Wheeldon’s DGV, VIII, and Polyphonia, and Clark Tippet’s Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1. Newly appointed apprentice Aaron Anker was born in Portland, Oregon and began his formal ballet training at age 10 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He studied with ballet masters Suzanne Farrell, Violette Verdy, Patricia McBride, and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. In the fall of 2012, Mr. Anker began pursuing a Bachelor of Art in Ballet and Bachelor of Science in Biology at Indiana University. During his time with Indiana University Ballet Theater, Mr. Anker was featured in principal roles in George Balanchine’s Rubies, Emeralds, Donizetti Variations, and The Four Temperaments, Merce Cunningham’s Duets, and was chosen for the role of Amore, a character created by director Tom Diamond for the Indiana University Opera Theater production of Xerxes, among others. Marjorie Feiring raised in Rumson, New Jersey, started dancing at the age of three. She received the majority of her training from the Academy of Dance Arts, under the direction of Jennifer James Church, and later, Shane and Nick Mishoe. Ms. Feiring went on to train with the Miami City Ballet School with Carter Alexander and Geta Constantinescu for two years and then at The School of Pennsylvania Ballet during its inaugural year under Arantxa Ochoa. She also attended summer intensives at Miami City Ballet School, School of American Ballet, Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell, Ellison Ballet, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, and was a student apprentice at The Chautauqua Institution under full merit scholarship. In 2013, Ms. Feiring joined Pennsylvania Ballet II and performed in numerous ballets with the Company including Giselle, Coppelia, Twyla Tharp’s Push Comes to Shove, Christopher Wheeldon’s Swan Lake and Carnival of the Animals, Jerome Robbins’ The Concert, and George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™;, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Four Temperaments and Jewels. Ms. Feiring also joined the company on their tours to Ottawa, Canada, The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and to the 2014 Vail International Dance Festival in Colorado. Kathryn Manger born in Hartford, Connecticut, began her ballet training with the Hartt School Dance Department, formerly the School of the Hartford Ballet. After graduating in 2013, Ms. Manger joined Milwaukee Ballet II, and in 2014, was invited to join the Minnesota Ballet for their 2014-2015 Season. Ms. Manger has performed in galas including the “Hartt’s Got Talent” in 2012 as well as the Connecticut Dance Alliance Award Ceremony in 2011 and 2012. In 2009, Ms. Manger was honored with the Francine Goldfarb Scholarship Award, and was also awarded the gold medal in the Connecticut Classic Competition for both senior female in 2011 and 2012 and the pas de deux category in 2013. She was also one of the top 12 finalists of the semifinals of Youth American Grand Prix in 2012. Throughout her career she has performed in many ballets including George Balanchine’s Who Cares?, Coppélia (Swanhilda), The Nutcracker (Sugar Plum Fairy) and Don Quixote (Kitri). About Pennsylvania Ballet Founded in 1963 by Balanchine student and protégée Barbara Weisberger, Pennsylvania Ballet is one of the nation’s leading ballet companies. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the Company’s annual local season features six programs of classic favorites and new works, including the Philadelphia holiday tradition, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™. For more information and new works, visit www.paballet.org, call 215.551.7000 or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to go behind the scenes at any time.