REFLECTIONS: 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
September 21 -24, 2023 | Steinmetz Hall, Dr. Phillips Center

Reflections is a celebratory launch of Orlando Ballet’s 50th season and offers a look back as well as ahead in terms of how the organization has evolved from its very humble start to become one of Central Florida’s leading performing arts organization. We begin with the premiere of our own anniversary film that tells a story about love for the art form and the risk-taking that helped build the organization, including missteps and victories that occurred along the way. We’ve harvested conversations from many of the talented artists and community leaders who were involved from the beginning while we celebrate today’s highly respected professional dance company.

“We have much to celebrate this season thanks to the historical contributions of so many from our community along with some of the world’s leading ballet artists who played a role in growing this organization and the art form,” said Executive Director Cheryl Collins. “Ours has been a labor of real love and we are excited to share this amazing and dramatic story of success.”

Paul Taylor: “Company B”

Iconic ballets earn that distinction by being innovative, timeless and for always stirring a range of emotions. While dramatically different artists, choreographers Paul Taylor and George Balanchine define iconic ballet through their artistic creativity, influence and endurance.

Set during World War II, Juilliard-trained Taylor’s wildly popular “Company B,” is a lively yet poignant representation of good, old-fashioned American optimism set against the stark and painful realities of war. Taylor’s self-described modern “dance scribbling” and avant-garde style are fittingly supported by a musical backdrop by The Andrews Sisters, whose recognizable songs carry the audience and dancers through a journey of love and loss.  Taylor’s masterful choreography balanced by simple, subtle sets and costumes, make for a mesmerizing dance experience for all.

Balanchine® Ballet: Serenade

Russian-born George Balanchine’s universally beloved Serenade, presents elegance and highly structured movement fostered by the choreographer’s renowned musicality. “Serenade“, a collection of 28 dancers in gauzy blue attire, performing four unique movements before a minimalistic backdrop of blue, has no plot. Rather, this ballet thrives emotionally and visually on the choreographer’s preference for precision and graceful movement inspired by Balanchine’s deep affection for all things Tchaikovsky. Balanchine is said to have been influenced by Tchaikovsky’s lush and hypnotizing “Serenade for Strings in C, Op.48,” setting the framework for the choreographer’s textured and thrilling variations that create an intoxicating experience of pure dance. Artistic Director Jorden Morris notes that the performance concludes with a woman being lifted off the stage toward the light which can be interpreted as a quiet nod to Orlando Ballet’s next 50 seasons.

WORLD PREMIERE: THE NUTCRACKER
December 8-24, 2023 | Steinmetz Hall, Dr. Phillips Center
Created by Jorden Morris, Artistic Director, Orlando Ballet

Like young Clara, Artistic Director Jorden Morris dreams big as all will see when Orlando Ballet premieres this entirely new production of The Nutcracker. Supported by an elite dream team of designers of sets, costumes and lighting, this production is a wonderfully imaginative version of the world’s most beloved holiday tale. Staying true to the traditional story of a young girl’s love for her favorite Christmas gift bestowed by the town’s toymaker, Morris pairs Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s classic musical score with entirely new choreography to create a fresh and whimsical experience complete with giant snow globes, fancy mice, and a few high-flying surprises.

Morris spent three years reimagining the production, beginning his monumental task by structuring a creative team of world-renowned designers. Joined by Orlando Ballet’s Rehearsal Director/Assistant to the Choreographer Lisa Thorn Vinzant; Robert Perdziola, Set/Costume Designer, and Lighting Designer Joseph Walls, Morris’ wildest dreams come to life on stage for everyone to enjoy.

“The Nutcracker is universally beloved, so we all understood our responsibility to protect the story, and, of course, the music. Having this special team of creative and enthusiastic experts share in revisioning all the tradition and charm of this classic, in a new and innovative way, is a choreographer’s dream,” said Morris. “We’ve created something very special for Central Florida.”

CHRISTOPHER STOWELL’S THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
February 15-18, 2024 | Steinmetz Hall, Dr. Phillips Center
Choreography by Christopher Stowell after Marius Petipa

One kiss — that’s all it took to awaken Princess Aurora from her century-long slumber and to meet her handsome Prince Desire. The Sleeping Beauty is timeless and cherished, which is why choreographer Christopher Stowell chose to retell through dance one of the world’s favorite fairy tales. Stowell’s choreography has a human touch that ushers the audience to a happy ending after its journey through good versus evil and love conquering over revenge. Stowell’s dance is calibrated precisely with the lush and sweeping music composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

But no one should be fooled by the ballet’s gentle title – The Sleeping Beauty is known for its challenging choreography as exemplified by the famous and difficult Rose Adagio, when on her 16^th birthday, Princess Aurora slowly and gracefully dances among four suitors, creating one of the ballet’s most anticipated, and yes, iconic moments.

Stowell, the son of professional ballet dancers blends his experience, knowledge, tradition, and grace to make this story undeniably feel new and fresh each and every time.

DIRECTOR’S CHOICE FEATURING HEATH GILL WORLD PREMIERE; STEPHANIE MARTINEZ’S “DOS LADOS” & JORDEN MORRIS’ “DEVERELL”
March 28-31, 2024 | Steinmetz Hall, Dr. Phillips Center

Mixed repertory is always a high point in the season because the artistic director has constructed a menu of shorter programs that offer a lot of something for everyone. The production begins with a world premiere delivered by Orlando Ballet’s own Rehearsal Director Heath Gill who has wowed audiences with his highly charged and imaginative creations “Confronting Genius” and “The Next Big Thing.” Gill’s ability to captivate audiences through an uncanny and clear ability to fuse the best of classical and contemporary dance has established him as one of the country’s most exciting young choreographers.

Stephanie Martinez’s “Dos Lados“, (which translates to Two Sides) a powerful, 13-person ensemble that performs to Spanish guitar in exploration of the idea of duality. Martinez, founder and artistic director of PARA.MAR Dance Theatre in Chicago, is recognized for her focus on diversity and her ability to quickly connect the energy of her contemporary choreography with the audience. This is a premiere performance in Central Florida. Martinez has created more than 60 ballets for companies across the country including Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Kansas City Ballet and National Choreographers Initiative, to name a few.

The production will close with “Deverell”, yet another of Jorden Morris’ dynamic creations which premiered in 2005 in his native Canada and now will have its Central Florida premiere. Deverell is Gaelic for “on the riverbank” and is one of his most popular works. Morris describes this production as his version of “Riverdance” and notes that he created it as an ode to his own Celtic roots.

KENNETH TINDALL’S CASANOVA – U.S. PREMIERE
May 16-19, 2024 | Steinmetz Hall, Dr. Phillips Center

Giacomo Casanova is arguably the world’s most legendary womanizer, but he was also an intellect, a gambler, and a scofflaw – all the right character traits around which to design a lusty ballet, which is exactly what choreographer Kenneth Tindall has done. Tindall, a former principal dancer is a Freelance award winning Choreographer and Director specializing in Narrative Dance. His Casanova offers a larger-than-life ballet experience like none other thanks to opulent dance underscored by sexual tension generated by composer Kerry Muzzey’s attention-grabbing music. Guest Conductor Julian Pellicano returns to lead Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra as it performs live music for this production.

Set in 18^th-century Venice, Italy, Tindall’s lavish vision includes iconic venetian masquerades, period costumes and sets along with big, big choreography that tells the story of how Casanova’s plans for a career in Holy Orders got derailed by his own decadence.

Created in the UK, this award-winning production has not yet been seen in North America, but its tour here is made  possible through a collaboration between Orlando Ballet, Colorado Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet. Says Artistic Director Jorden Morris, “This is the future of making big, expensive, lavish ballets more accessible to the public as a compliment to the standard classics already available.”

UNCORKED | NOW ON THURSDAYS!
October 5, 2023, January 25 & May 2, 2024 | Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre

The ever-popular Uncorked series returns offering audiences up-close visits with the Orlando Ballet dancers and artistic leadership in a not-so sneak peek behind the curtain.  These informal events have acquired a major fan following because they demystify ballet, offer a glimpse into what is required and expected of professional dancers and choreographers while also offering a personal way for the dancers to connect with their fans.

Learn more at orlandoballet.org