Ballet Austin announces their upcoming 2023/24 season, featuring five spectacular productions.
Season ticket packages are available now, followed by single ticket sales beginning July 17. A CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FAVORITE
The season begins in September with Stephen Mills’ critically acclaimed production of Hamlet, a contemporary, bold rendition of Shakespeare’s timeless tale of revenge, grief, and love. Set to the richly textured music of American composer Philip Glass, Stephen Mills’ Hamlet features costumes inspired by designer Giorgio Armani, visually arresting sets, and a gripping portrayal of one of the greatest tragedies of all time. Heralded by Dance Magazine as “…sleek and sophisticated…” Hamlet is one of Stephen Mills’ most licensed and traveled works, performed both nationally and internationally.
AN ICONIC HOLIDAY TRADITION
From the twinkling lights, whirling snowflakes, and sparkling beauty of the exquisite sets and costumes comes the heart-warming story of young Clara and her nutcracker. Bringing the magic of the holiday season, the 61st Annual Production of The Nutcracker remains Austin’s longest- running live production. Experience the enchantment of the holiday season with this beloved and enduring story, featuring live accompaniment of Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score performed by the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
The season opens with an exploration of passion, deceit,
and revenge in Stephen Mills’ Hamlet. Celebrate the magic of the holiday season in December with the 61st Annual Production of The Nutcracker. Valentine’s Day weekend treats audiences to TRIAD: Three Bold Dances, featuring George Balanchine’s neoclassical Concerto Barocco, Amy Seiwert’s contemporary Renaissance, and Stephen Mills’ dive into existentialism in CARBON53. March spotlights the World Premiere of Stephen Mills’ POE / A Tale of Madness, commissioned through the generosity of the Butler New Choreography Endowment. The season concludes over Mother’s Day weekend with one of the most beloved classical ballets of all time, The Sleeping Beauty.
A BOLD TRIPLE-BILL
Three mesmerizing dance works come to the stage just in time for Valentine’s Day in Triad: Three Bold Dances. The beauty of George Balanchine’s neoclassical ballet, Concerto Barocco, combines with a contemporary work by choreographer Amy Seiwert, titled Renaissance, and the rich modernism of Stephen Mills’ CARBON53.
Concerto Barocco was originally featured in New York City Ballet’s inaugural performance in 1948. This neo-classical ballet from the George Balanchine Trust is considered a personification of Bach’s music: “see the music, hear the dance.” Following on her success from HER STORIES, choreographer Amy Seiwert returns with a thrilling Austin premiere, Renaissance. Set to the music of Kitka, a women’s a cappella vocal ensemble, Seiwert’s Renaissance explores music from Eastern European traditions, as it honors the strength of community and women standing together. CARBON53 explores the concept of repetition, the “carbon copy.” Set to music of contemporary composers Philip Glass and Steve Reich, Stephen Mills poses the question, “Are we not all carbon copies of our ancestors?”
SECOND WORK OF THE BUTLER NEW CHOREOGRAPHY ENDOWMENT
The Butler New Choreography Endowment, a transformational $3 million gift from Sarah and Dr. Ernest Butler established in 2016, supports in perpetuity the creation of major dance works by Stephen Mills, Ballet Austin’s Sarah & Ernest Butler Family Fund Artistic Director, and his successors. Following the unprecedented success of Stephen Mills’ Grimm Tales in 2019, the first ballet commissioned by the Butler New Choreography Endowment in collaboration with nationally-acclaimed visual artist Natalie Frank, the 2023/24 season features the World Premiere of POE / A Tale of Madness as the second creation funded by this endowment.
Stephen Mills explores the haunted life and fascinating works of Edgar Allen Poe in this new dance work. With a newly commissioned score for full symphony orchestra by award-winning composer Graham Reynolds and libretto by Shawn Sides, co-producing artistic director of Rude Mechanicals, this new work will explore one of Mills’ much-loved authors, bringing a sampling of Poe’s masterpieces to life.
A BELOVED CLASSIC
To close the 2023/24 season, Ballet Austin awakens the beloved fairy tale of The Sleeping Beauty with four performances over Mother’s Day weekend. Tchaikovsky’s fabulous and familiar score comes to life in one of the most memorable classical ballets of all time, also featuring live accompaniment by the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Designed and constructed in England, this gorgeous production features exquisite sets, glittering costumes, and familiar storybook
characters like Puss-in-Boots and Little Red Riding Hood. With romance, royalty, fairies, and more, Marius Petipa’s enchanting ballet is a Mother’s Day treat that is sure to be cherished.
For more information, visit balletaustin.org
