Oklahoma City Ballet-blog

The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet's 30th Annual performance Workshop

Tue, 01 May 2012 16:54:11 -0500

The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet's 30th Annual performance Workshop

The Oklahoman review of "The Wizard of Oz"

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:31:29 -0500

The Oklahoman review of "The Wizard of Oz"

After an extensive nationwide search that brought in nearly 35...

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:59:00 -0500

Ms. Vorburger in ABT's "Don Quixote"

After an extensive nationwide search that brought in nearly 35 candidates from around the United States, The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet and Oklahoma City Ballet are pleased to announce their new school director Ms. Jane Vorburger. Ms. Vorburger will replace the dance center’s much beloved school director Viktoria Page who will be leaving her position after the school’s year end performance in May.

Jane Vorburger has a lifetime of experience in dance having trained, performed and taught with some of the most prominent companies in America. Ms. Vorburger studied classical ballet at the Academy of the Maryland Youth Ballet and on scholarship at the Houston Ballet Academy and School of American Ballet. At age 16 she was invited to join American Ballet Theater with whom she toured internationally performing principal, soloist and corps de ballets roles. In addition to dancing the role of Amour in Don Quixote and a principal role in Anthony Tudor’s Echoing of Trumpets she was selected by John Selya to create the role of Jill in his ballet Jack and Jill performed during ABT’s 1992 Metropolitan Opera House season. She also had the pleasure of working with Agnes de Mille when Ms. De Mille selected her to create the role of The Child in Ms. De Mille’s last ballet for ABT, The Other.

After retiring from American Ballet Theater, Ms. Vorburger continued her dance explorations at Oberlin College where she studied Contact Improvisation, Contemporary Dance, and Composition. She completed a BA in Biology at Oberlin and returned to NYC to attend Tisch School for the Arts NYU where she finished her MFA in Dance. She has been on faculty at The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theater, Marymount Manhattan College, the Mark Morris Dance Group, Tisch NYU and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. She also taught open classes at Steps on Broadway, Ballet Arts, and Broadway Dance Center. Her choreography has been performed in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, New York, and Virginia and she has guest taught ballet and modern classes at pre-professional schools and colleges across the country including Nutmeg School for the Arts, Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, Goucher College, and Rutgers University.

Ms. Vorburger has a wealth of experience teaching students of all ages and levels and considers dance to be a transformative experience for all participants. Her enjoyment of dance education led her to study at the 92nd Street Y’s Dance Education Laboratory where she completed their yearlong certificate training in dance education for grades k-12. She is also an ABT Affiliate Teacher with full certification in levels Primary-7 of ABT’s National Training Curriculum ©.

OKC Youth Ballet to perform

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:22:08 -0500

The beautiful young dancers of Oklahoma City Youth Ballet will be performing at the Festival of the Arts Saturday, April 28 on the Great Lawn Stage at 4 pm. Be sure to get out and support these young artists and the Arts Festival!

Ballet Master Jacob Sparso and company dancer Stephanie Foraker Pitts on Oklahoma Live with Lyn Hester.

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 12:00:48 -0500

Ballet Master Jacob Sparso and company dancer Stephanie Foraker Pitts on Oklahoma Live with Lyn Hester.

Interview with company dancer Miki Kawamura in Ballet News

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:26:08 -0500

Interview with company dancer Miki Kawamura in Ballet News

Here is a short clip of Amanda Herd in our first flying...

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:34:59 -0500

[Flash 10 is required to watch video.]

Here is a short clip of Amanda Herd in our first flying rehearsal yesterday with ZFX. Come fly with us to Oz this weekend at the Civic Center Music Hall! Call 405-848-TOES (8637)

Wizard of Oz traffic update

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:16:30 -0500

Wizard of Oz traffic update

Oklahoman preview article on "The Wizard of Oz"!

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:40:28 -0500

Oklahoman preview article on "The Wizard of Oz"!

KFOR's Mike Morgan recieves his Weather Wizard tie from OKC Ballet!

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:48:44 -0500

KFOR's Mike Morgan recieves his Weather Wizard tie from OKC Ballet!

Oklahoma City Ballet was honored to receive the Harry A. Perry...

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:31:18 -0500

Oklahoma City Ballet was honored to receive the Harry A. Perry Award for excellence in nonprofit management from the Executive Service Corps of Central Oklahoma last night at Chesapeake Energy. Pictured are OKC Ballet past board president Diana Hampton, Artistic Director Robert Mills, current board president Sandra Kirk and past president Phil Clayton.

Video

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:17:52 -0500

Oklahoma City Ballet to receive award for excellence in nonprofit management

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:45:00 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tracey Zeeck

Bumbershoot PR

405.501.2700

tzeeck@bumbershootpr.com

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 14, 2012) – The Oklahoma City Ballet has been selected as the recipient of the 2012 Harry A. Perry Award for excellence in nonprofit management from The Executive Service Corps of Central Oklahoma.

The award will be presented at ESSCO’s annual reception and awards ceremony to be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28 at Chesapeake Energy, 6100 N. Western Ave.

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. 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.

“We’ve made great progress over the past few years in our approach to managing this organization, but we realize it’s only the beginning,” Executive Director John Krasno said. “Our Board has been a tremendous source of guidance and support, and we are extremely grateful to our generous sponsors and season ticket holders who have helped inspire us to continue improving. We’re reaching new heights thanks to the support of our community, and look forward to many more years of providing a first-rate ballet experience in Oklahoma City.”

The Oklahoma City Ballet is the sixth recipient of the Harry A. Perry Award, and the first performing arts organization in Oklahoma City to receive the award. Previous winners include: HeartLine, Inc., NewView Oklahoma, Goodwill Industries, Inc., Oklahoma History Center and Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation.

ESCCO is a group of about 60 retired professionals who volunteer their time and talents as business management consultants to nonprofit agencies, government entities and school districts.

The Oklahoma City Ballet will cap its 40^th anniversary season with a special encore production of “The Wizard of Oz,” April 20-22 at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. Visit www.okcballet.com or call 405.843.9898 for more information.

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The Wizard of Oz - Press Release

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:02:13 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tracey Zeeck

405.501.2700

tzeeck@bumbershootpr.com

OKC Ballet plans ‘yellow brick’ encore for 40^th anniversary finale

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 14, 2012) – To cap its 40^th anniversary season, the Oklahoma City Ballet will present a special encore production of “The Wizard of Oz,” April 20-22 at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave.

The ballet is based on “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” a classic children’s novel by author L. Frank Baum which has become one of the best-known stories in American popular culture. The story chronicles the adventures of a young girl named Dorothy Gale in the Land of Oz, after being swept away from her Kansas farm home in a storm.

The production premiered during the 2008-2009 season, punctuated by an original score by Kermit Poling written specifically for this ballet.

“We wanted to conclude this milestone season with an exciting, colorful production that people would want to experience with their children,” Executive Director John Krasno said. “With so many people requesting we bring the yellow brick road back for an encore performance over the past couple of years, we felt strongly that this was the right choice, and a fun way to thank families for their ongoing support.”

Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 22.

The production will feature live orchestral music by The Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and flying effects and a three-dimensional tornado provided by Las Vegas-based ZFX Flying Effects.

Total running time is two hours with a 15-minute intermission.

Individual ticket prices range from $10 to $57 depending on section. Online ticketing is available at http://www.okcballet.com/tickets.html, by phone at 405.848.TOES (8637) or at the Civic Center Box Office.

According to Artistic Director Robert Mills, because the story is told without words, the most significant challenge in preparing for this production has been helping the dancers imbue their movements and expressions with the essence of the character they are portraying.

“Ballet Master Jacob Sparso has created dynamic choreography that effortlessly tells the story without words or singing,” Mills said. “It is energetic, engaging and highly entertaining for adults and children alike.”

The lead role of Dorothy will be shared by Stephanie Foraker Pitts (Friday and Sunday) and Amanda Herd (Saturday).

Joshua Crespo will dance the role of Scarecrow, Anton Iakovlev will play the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion will be danced by David Barocio. Miki Kawamura will portray the most powerful sorceress of Oz: Glinda the Good Witch of the South. The story’s primary antagonist, The Wicked Witch of the West, will be a role shared by Sarah Chun (Friday and Sunday) and Audrey Johnston (Saturday).

Students from The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet will charm audiences as the Munchkins, the Winged Monkeys, and as Toto (the role of Toto will also be played by a dog in the Kansas farm scenes).

Seven stage sets were created for the production by California-based set designer Ed Gallagher with support from resident designer Dale Hall. Sets include: The Farm (with a working windmill), Munchkin Land, Yellow Brick Road, Enchanted Forest, Witches Lair (bubbling cauldron), Poppy Field and Emerald City.

Costumes were designed by Bruce Bui, resident costume designer for Ballet Memphis, and Oklahoma City Ballet Costumer Michael Jones.

Family-friendly activities scheduled one hour prior to each performance in the south lobby include: “Build the Yellow Brick Road,” where kids can color their own bricks and help build the road for Dorothy’s journey to Oz; and “Picture This,” a photo opportunity in front of a green screen that magically transports you to the land of Oz.

Thirty minutes before show time is “Storybook Time,” where families can listen to Glinda the Good Witch of the South tell the story of The Wizard of Oz. Following the Sunday matinee performance, Braum’s will provide milk and cookies for a reception where families can meet their favorite dancers.

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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Editor’s Note: The first dress rehearsal is planned for Thursday, April 19, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Please contact Rob Crissinger to request access, (405) 401-6323 or rcrissinger@gmail.com.

Staff & Dancer Bios: http://www.okcballet.com/company.html

Related Video — http://www.youtube.com/user/Okcballet

Is your pooch ready to be a STAR?

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:13:00 -0600

Oklahoma City Ballet and Artistic Director Robert Mills will be holding auditions for the part of Toto in “The Wizard of Oz”.

Date: March 31
Time: 1pm-3pm.
Location: Oklahoma City Animal Shelter: 2811 Southeast 29th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73129

The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter will be holding an adoption event in conjunction with these auditions from 12pm-5pm. Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division is offering two adoptions for the price of one.

Dogs need to be up to date on vaccinations. They need to be good around strangers and children, as well as be able to focus in an energized environment.

For more information about the audition please contact Lori Duckworth at (405) 843-9898

Dogs do not need to be able to pirouette.

Oklahoma City Ballet's 2012-13 Season - "Raising the Barre"

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:15:00 -0600

The phrase, “raising the bar” is an expression used to convey the idea of setting higher standards to reach an objective of even greater excellence.

In ballet, a Barre is a handrail that is placed at a comfortable height for a dancer to use to maintain balance and stretch during ballet class.

This season, our bar/barre gets raised. Four State of Oklahoma premieres by internationally famous choreographers and what is arguably the most famous ballet ever made, Swan Lake, performed in its entirety with live orchestra.

It is a season like none we have ever presented, and one you will not want to miss.

October 20-21, 2012 - Civic Center Music Hall

Director’s Choice (A triple bill)

Anthony Tudor’s Lilac Garden (Oklahoma Premiere)

Nicolo Fonte’s Left Unsaid (Oklahoma Premiere)

Margo Sappington’s Cobras in the Moonlight (Oklahoma Premiere)

Anthony Tudor has been hailed a genius of modern expression, a creator of austerity, elegance and nobility. The bittersweet theme of Lilac Garden (Jardin aux Lilas) is set in the gracious, Edwardian era. A young woman betrothed to a man she does not want to marry, mirrors the society in which power and position are uppermost. Set to music by Ernest Chausson, Lilac garden is performed by many of the greatest ballet companies in the world.

Of Left Unsaid, The New York Times hailed Nicolo Fonte “a choreographer worth knowing”. Dance Europe called Left Unsaid “inventive, creating expressive original shapes built on an undercurrent of implicit human relationships”. Nicolo Fonte is known for his daring and original approach to dance. His work has been noted by critics for a unique movement language as well as a highly developed fusion of ideas, dance and design. Fonte’s work is in the repertoires of ballet companies around the world.

Set to the driving rhythms of Astor Piazzolla, Margo Sappington’s Cobras in the Moonlight is an exciting, sultry piece of choreography that originally premiered by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. A Tony nominated choreographer and former dancer with the Joffrey Ballet, Sappington’s witty and ingenious choreography has been seen around the globe.

December 7-9 & 14-16, 2012 - Civic Center Music Hall

The Nutcracker

With the Oklahoma City Philharmonic

Bring the family and share the magic of Clara’s fantastic journey through a land of snow and into a glittering candy land of sweet confections. If you think you know and have seen The Nutcracker, Kathleen Redwine of The Oklahoman sums it up best: “Under the artistic direction of Robert Mills, Oklahoma City Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker just gets better and better”.

February 9-10, 2013 - Civic Center Music Hall

Paris Rouge (A triple bill)

August Bournonville’s Napoli Divertissements (Oklahoma premiere)

Robert Mills’ Pushing Pennies

Robert Mills’ Paris Rouge

Staged by Royal Danish ballet alum and OKCB Ballet Master Jacob Sparso, August Bournonville’s Napoli Divertissments is an exciting example of pure classical technique and light, effortless style. Bournonville directed the Royal Danish Ballet for nearly 50 years and established the Danish style based on bravura dancing and expressive mime. It is pure dance at its finest.

In 2011, artistic director Robert Mills premiered Pushing Pennies to audience and critical success. An abstract work using the music of Phillip Glass, it is sure to knock your socks off.

An infamous Parisian cafe is the backdrop for Paris Rouge, a comedy of errors where infatuations abound and everyone goes home happy. Colorful and rousing, poignant and romantic, Paris Rouge makes its triumphant return just in time for Valentine’s Day.

April 19-21, 2013 - Civic Center Music Hall

Swan Lake

(Company Premiere)

With the Oklahoma City Philharmonic

The gold standard of classical ballet, Swan Lake, follows the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart and Siegfried, a prince who falls in love with the fragile heroine. Featuring the incredible score by Tchaikovsky with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic conducted by Maestro Joel Levine and international caliber guest artists, this incredible event is perfect for all ages.

Stay tuned for information on season and single tickets!

Join us for a beautiful evening of dinner, music and dancing...

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 11:54:33 -0600

Join us for a beautiful evening of dinner, music and dancing benefiting the Oklahoma City Ballet! Call Leslie Thomas at 405-843-9898 for more information.

Excerpts from Artistic Director Robert Mills’...

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:53:51 -0600

Excerpts from Artistic Director Robert Mills’ “Pushing Pennies” that made its premiere February 12, 2011

Excerpts from Jessica Lang’s “Voila!” that...

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:52:15 -0600

Excerpts from Jessica Lang’s “Voila!” that made its premiere February 12, 2011

Excerpts from Lee-Wei Chao’s “Rising Above”...

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:49:23 -0600

Excerpts from Lee-Wei Chao’s “Rising Above” that made its premiere April 23, 2010