Nashville Ballet

Nashville, Tennessee-Nashville Ballet announces the exciting line-up for the 2009/2010 Season. Bringing the best in contemporary and classic ballet, Middle Tennessee’s only professional Ballet company will stage the ethereal Giselle, present an encore performance of Nashville’s Nutcracker, offer a Nashville premiere of the comical Filling Station and the whimsical Who Cares? (Choreographed by Balanchine to the music of Gershwin) and the romantic Awaiting Redemption featuring Curb Records artist Hal Ketchum performing live. For the grand finale, the Ballet will premiere a brand new production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

As a special bonus to this year’s performances, Nashville Ballet will present Emergence: The Studio Series, at the Nashville Ballet Martin Center for Dance November 13th and 14th.Audience members can stroll between different studios to watch alternating performances. This popular dance event links new and emerging musical/media artists with company dancers, inspiring new original works. Several dances from the Emergence series have evolved into full production performances.

Giselle
Polk Theater at TPAC October 23-25, 2009

Friday, October 23, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 24, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 25, 2:00 p.m.

The tragic story of Giselle has been one of the most popular ballets for over 150 years. The role of Giselle demands much of the ballerina both technically and artistically. Giselle, a poor country maiden, falls madly in love with a young man, a prince parading as a commoner. After learning of this deception, Giselle takes her life and is transformed into a Willi (a ghost). When all the Willis try to revenge her lost love, Giselle defends her former love, saving his life and earning eternal peace. This ballet is the ultimate story of love and forgiveness, danced in the graceful and technically proficient manner Nashville Ballet is known for.







Nutcracker Jackson Hall at TPAC December 11-20, 2009
Featuring The Nashville Symphony

Friday, December 11, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 12, 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 13, 2:00 p.m.
Friday, December 18, 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 19, 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 20, 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

If you were one of the few people who missed last year’s premiere of Nashville’s Nutcracker, be sure to be the first in line to get the best seats in the house for our encore performance. This celebrated classic should be on your list of “must-do” holiday traditions. With the charming Tennessee Centennial setting, the dazzling costumes, resplendent sets, brand-new choreography and the children’s cast of over 200, Nashville Parent said it best… “Awe-inspiring no matter how old you are…It might just be the best present to give to your family this holiday season.”



American Originals Polk Theater at TPAC February 12-14, 2010

Friday, February 12, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 13, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 14, 2:00 p.m.

This program pays homage to some of the greatest American Classics. Three ballets will be performed: Filling Station, a rare comedic marvel which follows the lively activities of a busy day at the filling station. Enjoy the antics of some of the madcap customers who prance in and out of the station; Awaiting Redemption, a raw, melancholy, introspective look at love, real life and coming to terms with the wisdom that comes with age; Who Cares?, this gem of a ballet showcases the golden age of Broadway with the unforgettable music of George Gershwin, featuring some of his best known hits such as “I Got Rhythm,” “Strike Up the Band,” and “Embraceable You.”



A Midsummer Night’s Dream Jackson Hall at TPAC April 23-25, 2010

Featuring the Nashville Symphony
Friday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 24, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday April 25, 2:00 p.m.

Step into our enchanted forest where magical surprises come to play for three sets of lovers. One of Shakespeare’s favorite comedies comes to life in Nashville Ballet’s new and original adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As Puck plays tricks on the ill-fated lovers, you will laugh as the antics of the night become resolved by the light of the day. The costumes and sets are being designed by the talented team that created our new Nutcracker, including choreographer Paul Vasterling, and designer Campbell Baird. This premiere is the perfect finale to a diverse and breathtaking season.

Emergence: The Studio Series Nashville Ballet Martin Center for Dance (3630 Redmon Street, Nashville, TN 37209)

November 13-14, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.

Our popular biennial event, Emergence!, is being transformed in 2009/2010 into Emergence: The Studio Series. Imagine the up-close-and-personal thrill of sharing the studio with our electrifying dancers performing a program of intimate, eclectic favorites and fresh discoveries. Meshing new musical artists with up and coming choreographers to create some astonishing new collaborations, this popular series will sell out quickly.

Friday, November 13, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 14, 7:30 p.m.


Season Subscription Information
Season subscriptions are available now, with subscribers receiving the best seats. Subscription packages range in price from $37 per person up to $234 per person. Packages start with a 4-show subscription (which includes Nutcracker), a 3-show subscription, and a 2-show Fall and Winter subscription. Create your own Family Series subscriptions, children ages 4-17 receive a 50% discount on subscription tickets. For the ultimate children’s ballet experience, the popular Ballet Buddies Program includes free valet parking and a scrumptious lunch at The Hermitage Hotel, a goody bag with special treats for each child, a learning experience about each ballet in a warm and friendly setting, and opportunities to meet, greet, and be photographed with the company dancers.

To order a Season Subscription, please contact Nashville Ballet at subscriptions@nashvilleballet.com or call 615-297-2966, ext. 10. New subscribers may order online at www.nashvilleballet.com. Nashville Ballet is funded in part from grants made available through the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the Ingram Charitable Trust. Additional funding is also provided by HCA Tri-Star, The Martin Foundation, Regions Bank, Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund, and the Andrew Woodfin Miller Foundation.

Nashville, Tennessee-Nashville Ballet will host a reception to celebrate the work of photographer Stacey Irwin on Sunday, May 10, 2009 from 3:00-5:00 PM. Stacey Irvin is an award-winning photographer and graphic designer living in Nashville. She graduated in 1999 with a B.A. in Philosophy from Vanderbilt University and has since traveled and photographed extensively in Asia, North America and parts of South America. Irvin was invited to Kenya by a local non-profit, Burning Bush, Inc., in order to photograph daily life, healthcare, and micro-lending initiatives in a rural community. Most recently, Irvin spent two weeks living in an indigenous village in the highlands of Ecuador.

Irvin has presented her work to schools and community organizations and has exhibited in many venues including The Parthenon Museum in Nashville, TN, the Tennessee Arts Commission Gallery, the Metro Nashville Arts Commission Gallery and the Nashville International Airport. She states, “In a world in which our lives often seem to be packaged and sold to us for consumption, my aesthetic revels in capturing and sharing the simple, yet most essential aspects of the human spirit. Whether I am at home or abroad, I seek to celebrate and experience the diversity of life and the interconnectedness to the land and to each other that sustains our common humanity.”

At 3:45 PM “Works in Progress,” a collection of six pieces choreographed by six members of Nashville Ballet and set on the dancers of Nashville Ballet 2 will be presented in Studio A. Come witness the upcoming generation of talented artists in this afternoon of dance and visual art!
The reception and performance are open to the public. Ms. Irwin’s photography will hang in the Frist Gallery from May 10 through July 10 in the Martin Center for Dance, located at 3630 Redmon St. For additional information regarding this show, please contact Linda Coulter at 297-2966 ext. 21 or email Linda at artinfo@nashvilleballet.com.

Nashville Ballet bids farewell to three of our company dancers who will be leaving when the season is over. Kate Kastelnik, a company member for eight years who is known for her lovely and unique artistry, her fine technique and great acting ability. Also Christopher Mohnani, an eight year veteran, who raised the bar in strengthening the male dancers and danced many principal roles. And Kimberly Torcivia, company member for six years, who excelled with amazing versatility in both contemporary and classic roles and exhibited a powerful technique. They will be pursuing new opportunities, and will be missed by everyone here at the Ballet.