OBT 22-23 SEASON

2022/23 SEASON

WELCOME TO OBT’S 2022/23 SEASON OF STORIES Dear Friends, In OBT’s 22/23 season we marvel at the expressive power of dance to share our uniquely human perspectives and feelings. We will witness transcendent works and stories created from both the conscious and dreamlike states of mind. From the magic and humor of Christopher Stowell’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to the mystery of Yuri Possokhov’s Firebird, to the irresistible love of August Bournonville’s exquisite classic La Sylphide, you will be swept away to worlds where only dance can take you.

Along with new stories we will welcome MANY new storytellers to the OBT repertory such as legendary choreographer Christopher Bruce CBE and his moving ballet, Hush.

This piece which explores the intimate beauty of family dynamics is an all-time personal favorite that will surely embed itself in your hearts. I’m also thrilled to introduce Portland audiences to the highly physical and exciting work of acclaimed choreographer Stanton Welch with Indigo, and to be commissioning fresh work from New York City Ballet star Lauren Lovette, Princess Grace Winner Rena Butler, Guggenheim Fellow Helen Simoneau, and OBT’s very own Makino Hayashi!

There is so much to be experienced in this new season! Be sure to look at the back of this brochure for options to create the perfect OBT package for you.

See you at the theater,

PETER FRANC Oregon Ballet Theatre Interim Artistic Director SEASON SUPPORT PROVIDED IN PART BY: tt Priyana Acharya and Ben Youngstone uPriyana Acharya; All Images by Jingzi Zhao unless otherwise noted

MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Magic and merriment abound in our joyful fall program. As the curtain rises, we meet a family of circus performers in the OBT premiere of Christopher Bruce’s Hush. This lighthearted and affectionate celebration of family life is imbued with Bruce’s unique physicality and warm humanity. Intensely musical and athletic, Hush will lift your spirits Hush – OBT Premiere high. The excitement continues with George Balanchine’s sparkling Christopher Bruce | Bobby McFerrin and Yo-Yo Ma Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, an eight-minute treat of pure bravura and ballet technique. We conclude in an enchanted forest for the return of Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux Christopher Stowell’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Based on George Balanchine | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Shakespeare’s famous comedy, this work has it all: star-crossed lovers, mischievous pranksters, and ethereal woodland fairies, set to A Midsummer Night’s Dream Mendelssohn’s beloved score performed live by the OBT Orchestra.

FEATURING THE OBT ORCHESTRA! Christopher Stowell | Felix Mendelssohn

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George Balanchine’s

THE NUTCRACKER

®

DECEMBER 10 – 24, 2022 KELLER AUDITORIUM

George Balanchine | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Featuring 12 PERFORMANCES with the OBT ORCHESTRA! A treasured holiday tradition continues as Oregon Ballet Theatre returns George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® to the Keller Auditorium. Brave toy soldiers battle mischievous mice, snowflakes dance, and we are carried away to a magical Land of Sweets, all to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score! This year, make OBT’s production of Balanchine’s Nutcracker a part of your holiday tradition. Create memories to last a lifetime as you experience this exquisitely danced confection with family and friends.

FOR BEST SEATS AND PRICING BECOME A SUBSCRIBER!

KIDS SAVE

50%

with our Family Subscription Package

Subscribers can add on a Nutcracker performance as part of the Repertory Package, OR choose the Family Package, which includes: The Nutcracker, Midsummer Night’s Dream, and La Sylphide. Details in the back of this brochure.

OREGON BALLET THEATRE | obt.org

LA SYLPHIDE

FEBRUARY 18 – 25, 2023 KELLER AUDITORIUM

August Bournonville | Herman Severin Løvenskjold ALL PERFORMANCES FEATURE THE OBT ORCHESTRA!

One of the jewels of the Romantic Ballet Era, this masterpiece boasts an enchanting score that will be brought to life by the OBT Orchestra.

OREGON BALLET THEATRE | obt.org

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On the morning of his wedding to his sweet fiancée Effie, James awakens from a dream to see a mysterious and tantalizing sylph before him. Bewitched and mesmerized by her presence, his obsession with her sets off a fateful sequence of events where joy turns to sorrow, love to betrayal and infatuation to tragedy.

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August Bournonville’s La Sylphide is a beguiling blend of storytelling and dance, complete with vengeful witches and magical forest spirits that will win your heart.

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With this program we celebrate the incredible career and bid farewell to Principal Dancer Xuan Cheng. Since 2011, her unforgettable artistry and her magical presence in ballets ranging from James Canfield’s Romeo and Juliet to Jiří Kylián’s Falling Angels have won the hearts of OBT audiences. Don’t miss this chance to say goodbye to OBT’s darling in the enchanting La Sylphide.

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FIREBIRD

APRIL 7 – 15, 2023 NEWMARK THEATRE World Premiere Lauren Lovette

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Indigo – OBT Premiere Firebird Yuri Possokhov | Igor Stravinsky After 15 years, OBT is thrilled to return its highly acclaimed commission of Yuri Possokhov’s Firebird to the stage. Based on the treasured Russian folktale of young Prince Ivan, his two loves, and a sorcerer whose evil spell must be undone, Possokhov’s Firebird is visually and musically arresting­—a delight for audiences of all ages. This program also features the OBT premiere of Stanton Welch’s critically acclaimed Indigo. Striking and powerful, Indigo explores the relationships of four couples as they fall in love, break-up, and reunite, all expressed through Welch’s high-octane brand of dance. Last but certainly not least, we proudly present a world premiere from former New York City Ballet star and choreographer, Lauren Lovette. Hailed by The New York Times for her “desire to turn ballet inside out” Lovette’s work has been presented by major national companies including American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet.

OREGON BALLET THEATRE | obt.org

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MADE IN PORTLAND

JUNE 8 – 11, 2023 NEWMARK THEATRE FOUR WORLD PREMIERES BY:

Rena Butler Helen Simoneau Samuel Hobbs Makino Hayashi In a season of stories told through dance, we finish by creating our own. For this program we ask, “What have you heard about Portland, and how does it make you feel?” To explore this theme, we have commissioned renowned choreographers from near and far to share their vision of our city: Princess Grace Award winner Rena Butler, Guggenheim Fellow Helen Simoneau, push/FOLD Founder and Director Samuel Hobbs, and OBT’s own rising star, Makino Hayashi. This is only the tip of the iceberg as we invite Portland artists­—musicians, painters, writers—to explore what it means to live in this city through a fully immersive theater experience.

OREGON BALLET THEATRE | obt.org

ON STAGE APRIL 15 – 16, 2023 NEWMARK THEATRE

OBT School’s annual On Stage performance celebrates the technical and artistic achievement of its students, including OBT2, OBT’s junior company. See advanced dancers on the cusp of a professional career.

Past On Stage programs have featured ballets from the Balanchine repertory, Petipa excerpts, and other classical masterworks as well as contemporary ballets including commissions of new choreography made especially for OBT students.

We invite you to join us for the annual spring performance and be introduced to the talented dancers of the future.

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OBT SCHOOL

The official training ground of Oregon Ballet Theatre, located on the South Waterfront in Portland, Oregon. Students receive exemplary training from our world-class faculty, emphasizing pure classical technique.

PREBALLET

ANNUAL SESSION This 35 week program is based on a carefully curated curriculum and enriched with rewarding performance opportunities that provide the necessary skills for young dancers to launch a professional career. SAVE THE DATE: Annual Session audition August 6, 2022.

SUMMER PROGRAMS Immersive summer programs offer special training for all students, providing the tailored opportunity to advance and accelerate their dance training.

Pre-Ballet classes, for 3-6 years old, introduce basic ballet vocabulary, class etiquette, and listening skills through a nurturing process to develop a love of dance and music.

ADULT CLASSES OBT School offers a wide variety of opportunities for adults who would like to begin or continue their study of dance taught by experienced faculty members who are committed to adult education.

COME DANCE WITH US! Learn more about our programs and schedule a FREE TRIAL CLASS! Email schoolofobt@obt.org

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OREGON BALLET THEATRE | obt.org

GIVE AND CHANGE LIVES THROUGH DANCE

With your support, this season OBT commits to: ■

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New works and new voices, with 5 world premieres and 3 company premieres 43 world-class ballet performances produced right here in Portland Live music by the OBT Orchestra in 23 performances Inspire the next generation and enroll 800 students at the OBT School Reach over 10,000 participants beyond the stage by expanding free and low-cost public school and community programs

We know participation in dance changes lives for the better. But change doesn’t happen without you. It takes all of us. We rely on the generosity of our supporters to be able to share, inspire, and connect.

Please consider adding a donation to your 2022/23 Season subscription purchase.

Learn more at obt.org/support

Did you know OBT serves students and families across the state through in-classroom dance programs, on-site after school ballet classes and student matinee performances. With these programs OBT seeks to remove barriers and provide dance access for all.

Learn how to bring OBT to your school or community, visit: www.obt.org/education-community for more information.

OBT IN YOUR COMMUNITY OREGON BALLET THEATRE | obt.org

SEASON AT A GLANCE

MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

October 8 – 16, 2022 | Keller Auditorium Sat., Oct. 8 – 7:30 PM Sun., Oct. 9 – 2:00 PM

Fri, Oct. 14 – 7:30 PM Sat., Oct. 15 – 7:30 PM

All performances feature The OBT Orchestra

Sun., Oct. 16 – 2:00 PM

Audio described performances

George Balanchine's

THE NUTCRACKER

®

December 10 – 24, 2022 | Keller Auditorium Sat., Dec. 10 – 2:00 PM Sat., Dec. 10 – 7:30 PM Sun., Dec. 11 – 2:00 PM Wed., Dec. 14 – 7:30 PM Thurs., Dec. 15 – 7:30 PM Fri., Dec. 16 – 7:30 PM

Sat., Dec. 17 – 2:00 PM Sat., Dec. 17 – 7:30 PM Sun., Dec. 18 – 2:00 PM Sun., Dec. 18 – 7:30 PM Wed., Dec. 21 – 2:00 PM Thurs., Dec. 22 – 2:00 PM

indicates performance features The OBT Orchestra

Thurs., Dec. 22 – 7:30 PM Fri., Dec. 23 – 2:00 PM Fri., Dec. 23 – 7:30 PM Sat., Dec. 24 – 12:00 PM

Audio described performances

LA SYLPHIDE

February 18 – 25, 2023 | Keller Auditorium Sat., Feb. 18 – 2:00 PM Sat., Feb. 18 – 7:30 PM

Sun., Feb. 19 – 2:00 PM Fri., Feb. 24 – 7:30 PM

All performances feature The OBT Orchestra

Sat., Feb. 25 – 2:00 PM Sat., Feb. 25 – 7:30 PM Audio described performances

FIREBIRD

April 7 – 15, 2023 | Newmark Theatre Fri., Apr. 7 – 7:30 PM Sat., Apr. 8 – 2:00 PM Sat., Apr. 8 – 7:30 PM

Sun., Apr. 9 – 2:00 PM Thurs., Apr. 13 – 7:30 PM Fri., Apr. 14 – 7:30 PM

Sat., Apr. 15 – 7:30 PM

Audio described performances

MADE IN PORTLAND

June 8 – 11, 2023 | Newmark Theatre Thurs., Jun. 8 – 7:30 PM Fri., Jun. 9 – 7:30 PM Sat., Jun. 10 – 2:00 PM Four World Premieres!

Sat., Jun. 10 – 7:30 PM Sun., Jun. 11 – 2:00 PM

ON STAGE

April 15 – 16, 2023 Newmark Theatre Subscribers can add-on for just $25

uSUBSCRIBE! REPERTORY PACKAGE

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FIRST SATURDAYS @7:30 PM

SUNDAYS @2:00 PM

THURSDAYS @7:30 PM

FRIDAYS @7:30 PM

SECOND SATURDAYS @7:30 PM

OCT 8 FEB 18 APR 8 JUN 10

OCT 9 FEB 19 APR 9 JUN 11

OCT 14* FEB 24* APR 13 JUN 8

OCT 14 FEB 24 APR 7 JUN 9

OCT 15 FEB 25 APR 15 JUN 10

MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM LA SYLPHIDE FIREBIRD MADE IN PORTLAND

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*Denotes a Friday performance

FIRST SATURDAY MATINEE

MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM OCT 8† THE NUTCRACKER DEC 10 LA SYLPHIDE FEB 18 †

SUNDAY MATINEE

SECOND SATURDAY MATINEE

OCT 9 DEC 11 FEB 19

OCT 15† DEC 17 FEB 25

Denotes Saturday 7:30PM performance

CHOOSE YOUR OWN PACKAGE

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MIDSUMMER | NUTCRACKER | LA SYLPHIDE

MIDSUMMER | LA SYLPHIDE | FIREBIRD | MADE IN PORTLAND AREA

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SAVE 50% for children 3 – 17

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KELLER AUDITORIUM Midsummer Night’s Dream The Nutcracker•La Sylphide 6

SECOND BALCONY BOXES

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ORCHESTRA LEVEL

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