Rebekah Hildebrandt, Alondra Gomez, Hannah Locke
Ballet Tennessee presents its 25th Anniversary Jubilee in two different concerts at Hayes Concert Hall, UTC Fine Arts Center on May 18–19.
The Ballet Tennessee Repertory Program, taking place Friday, May 18, at 8 p.m., will feature choreography by guest artist Thomas Shoemaker, three award-winning works, and a new collaboration between Founding Executive Director Barry VanCura and composer Jonathan McNair that debuted last month at the Hatch Festival.
The repertory, showcasing company dancers and returning alumni, is varied, exciting, and upbeat. ‘Concerto’, a new work by Barry VanCura, was recognized at the PANOPLY choreography competition in Huntsville, Ala., winning first prize in Ballet. It is a playful dance about the interactions between males and females. ‘Non Grata’ by Thomas Shoemaker is a dramatic contemporary ballet. Two works of student choreography by Ballet Tennessee dancers, ‘Just for Fun’ and ‘Limitations’, were awarded first and third prizes at Tennessee Association of Dance Student Choreography Showcase. Both works were inspired by ‘The Mustang Project’, the theme of the Ballet Tennessee Summer Intensive and Dance Alive summer programs. ‘Coexistence’ with music composed by Jonathan McNair was based on an essay by Susan Feathers. The work explores the dynamic between the natural and man-made world and the relationship between sound and movement.
The Spring Festival of Dance 2012 will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. This performance features students in the Ballet Tennessee’s Professional Training Program and VanCura Ballet Conservatory, presenting works in several dance styles including contemporary dance, modern and ballet. Ballet Tennessee’s Youth Ensemble will perform an upbeat musical theatre piece titled ‘Tuxedo Junction’ and a Michael Jackson song, ‘Jam.’ Professional Training Program dancers will perform ‘Faust’ choreographed by guest artist David Keary and Barry VanCura. The work is classically structured, with exiting ensemble, solo, and partnered sections. ‘Faust’, ‘Concerto’, and solo works by Jennia Shanley (faculty), Emily Pietrantone (faculty), and Elizabeth Sanford (graduating senior) will be included in both Friday and Saturday evening programs.
Tickets for this production are on sale at the UTC Fine Arts Center. Contact the box office at 425-4269 or www.utc.edu/finearts. To attend one evening only, tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for students and seniors. A special discounted rate of $20 for adults and $17 for students and seniors will provide admission to both performances.
CoExistence - Jonathan McDavid, Hannah Locke, Joe Lynch