An extravaganza of timeless classics, old favorites and exciting new works will draw the curtain on Atlanta Ballet's 80th anniversary season in the mixed-rep production of "Sheer Exhilaration."
Complementing the performances and adding perspective to Atlanta Ballet's rich history, the company will present "Enduring Images: 80 years of Atlanta Ballet." It's a sweeping exhibition of photographs and memorabilia from America's oldest continuously operating ballet company.
Both the production and exhibit will be held Mother's Day weekend, May 6 - 9, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
Sheer Exhilaration - Celebrating the Past, Igniting the Future
With an eclectic repertoire that spans ballet history, Atlanta Ballet's season finale will feature beloved classics and inventive originals, all highlighting the company's extraordinary corps of dancers.
Long time ballet goers will fondly recall the classics, including:
Diane Cobrun-Bruning's "Berceuse"
Ben Stevenson's "Three Preludes"
To showcase the dancers' versatility and athleticism, the company will bring back Christopher Hampson's high energy "Sinfonietta Giocosa" - a piece combining modern dance and classical ballet created exclusively for Atlanta Ballet in 2005.
Keeping with Atlanta Ballet's tradition of premiering edgy, new works, two up up-and-coming choreographers will take center stage:
Victor Quijada will present the world premiere of "Impending Savour Assessment"
Bennyroyce Royon will offer the company premiere of "Me in Your Fall."
McFall has also invited Kennesaw State University (KSU) Dance Director Ivan Pulinkala to stage his groundbreaking piece "Lost," a product of the Atlanta Ballet/KSU partnership. "Lost" will also feature Atlanta Ballet company member and KSU student John Welker, a second year student in the dance program and 15th year dancer with the company.
Enduring Images: 80 Years of Atlanta Ballet
From a treasure trove of photos, costumes, props and souvenirs, 80 items (symbolic of the milestone anniversary) were selected to narrate the compelling 80 year history of Atlanta Ballet. Each decade is represented in the expansive archive, with the oldest artifacts dating back to the early days of founder Dorothy Alexander and the Atlanta Civic Ballet.
Though most items were retrieved from the Atlanta Ballet Collection at the Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Library at Emory University, the collection was made special by personal photos and mementos from former faculty and alumni, including the company's antique ballerinas (those who danced with Atlanta Civic Ballet under Dorothy Alexander's instruction).
Sheer Exhilaration will run for five performances and Enduring Images: 80 Years of Atlanta Ballet will be open to all throughout Mother's Day weekend, May 6-9, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Performance tickets start as low as $20. For tickets, call 800-982-2787 or stop by the Cobb Energy Centre box office. To purchase tickets online, visit www.atlantaballet.com
