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Firebird Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oklahoma City Ballet turns up the heat with world premiere-infused triple bill featuring Stravinsky’s ‘The Firebird’
OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 9, 2011) – A black swan is not the only bird in classical ballet. As part of a season-long celebration of its 40th anniversary, The Oklahoma City Ballet will turn up the heat in February with an ambitious triple bill including a Robert Mills-remake of the Stravinsky classic The Firebird.
Originally created in 1910 by composer Igor Stravinsky and choreographer Michel Fokine, The Firebird is a story of good conquering evil. It is based on Russian folklore of a magical, glowing bird that is both a blessing and a curse to its captor.
“Our repertory programs are some of our most exciting offerings, both for our dancers and for our audiences. I am thrilled to bring In Between Dreams to Oklahoma and happy to have Alan Hineline here to create a new work. Plus, The Firebird is a piece I’ve always wanted to choreograph. It is going to be a great program and full of variety,” Artistic Director Robert Mills said.
Choreographer Alan Hineline is best known to Oklahoma City audiences as the choreographer of the 2009 hit The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Hineline returns in February with a commissioned original ballet. Formerly Artistic Director of Ballet Philippines in Manila, Hineline’s work has appeared in the repertories of Pennsylvania Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Sacramento Ballet and Kansas City Ballet, among others.
The third ballet of the evening will be a signature work by Robert Mills. Choreographed in 2007 for Ballet Nouveau Colorado, Mills earned praise from World Dance Reviews, “…choreographers can be found who paint dances well. Robert Mills has done that, and did it again with In Between Dreams.” In Between Dreams is a unique collaboration of stagecraft, lighting and design. The work is punctuated by the music of Estonian classical composer Arvo Part, one of the most prominent living composers of sacred music, and Gustav Mahler, a late-Romantic Austrian composer.
Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Civic Center Music Hall, located at 201 N. Walker Ave. in Oklahoma City. The matinee will feature family-focused events before and after the production.
Individual ticket prices range from $31 to $57 depending on section. Online ticketing is available at www.okcballet.com/tickets, by phone at 405.848.TOES (8637) or at the Civic Center Box Office.
ABOUT OKLAHOMA CITY BALLET
Founded in 1972, the Oklahoma City Ballet is the resident dance company of the Civic Center Music Hall and tours as part of the Oklahoma Arts Council’s touring program. It is the only U.S. ballet company of its size to regularly debut world premier full-length ballets with original commissioned scores. Oklahoma City Ballet also tours under the auspices of the Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts Dance Touring Program and the Heartland Arts Fund. For more information, please visit www.okcballet.com or call 405.843.9898.
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Media Contact: Tracey Zeeck
405.601-5849 – O
405.501.2700 – C
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The Oklahoma City Ballet is saddened to announce the resignation of Viktoria Page as director of its official School The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet.
Ms. Page has been involved with the company for more than 25 years, first as a dancer in the professional company beginning in 1986, followed by a transition to School Director upon her retirement from the stage in 1996. For the past 15 years Viktoria has guided the school and has been its principal teacher. Students who have trained with Viktoria have gone on to professional careers dancing with companies like Aspen/Santa Fe Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theater, Parsons Dance and New York City’s American Ballet Theatre, not to mention our own Oklahoma City Ballet. Regardless of their goals in dance, Viktoria’s considerate approach to teaching has fostered a love of the arts and a source of self esteem and confidence in many current and past students who have come through the doors of The Oklahoma City Ballet.
“After more than 15 wonderful and exciting years as the school director, I have decided to resign from the position. It is time for the school to get new ideas and renewed energy following the success of the OKC Ballet. I look forward to a continuing relationship with the school as a teacher, which is where my true passion lies. The company and school celebrate their 40th anniversaries this season and will continue to provide quality training, professional entertainment and a nurturing environment to all. Thank you!” - Viktoria Page
“Having danced alongside Viktoria and knowing her for nearly 18 years, Viktoria is more than a colleague, she is a friend. She has been instrumental in the reorganization of Oklahoma City Ballet and I will be forever grateful for the dedication she has given to the organization over the years.” – Robert Mills, Artistic Director, Oklahoma City Ballet
The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet is currently conducting a nationwide search for a new school director and hopes to have one in place by the beginning of the Fall 2012 school year. In the interim, Ms. Page will continue her duties as school director until the end of its 2012 Spring semester culminating with its annual Workshop Performance in May.
Thank you,
Dance Center of OKC Ballet
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The dancers are back at work today and full throttle into rehearsals for our February rep including “The Firebird!” Get your tickets by calling 405-848-TOES (8637). In the meantime, enjoy this shot of company dancers Sarah Chun and Yui Sato! Photo by Zac Davis with makeup by Bryan Crump.
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Artistic Director Robert Mills teaches Fox 25's Liz Dueweke a lift
Click here to see a clip from Fox 25’s morning show where Artistic Director Robert Mills teaches Liz Dueweke how to do a lift. Come see “The Nutcracker!” 405-848-TOES (8637)
