Ballet Hartford Season Underway; From Classics to Premiere of New Ballet All Ahead

A unique season of professional ballet is underway this week, as Ballet Hartford prepares to provide audiences with performances that honor holiday traditions, highlight local touchstones to history, and provide a glimpse of classical works in progress, culminating with a newly choreographed world premiere ballet – all in just the next three months.

As the reputation of Ballet Hartford has noticeably grown, dancers have been attracted to the company by the caliber, creativity and camaraderie that characterizes Ballet Hartford. Last year’s company of 15 dancers has now grown to 25 at the start of this season, the largest number since the inception of Ballet Hartford. Featured performances/events this fall will be:

• Friday, October 6, “Works in Progress” - 224 EcoSpace, Hartford, 6:30 PM

• Saturday, October 14, “Classics” - Friends of Ballet Hartford, Avon, 2:00 PM

• Sunday, October 22, “Homage to Balanchine” - 224 EcoSpace, Hartford, 10:00 AM

• Sunday, November 19, “The Nutcracker: Short and Suite” - Wadsworth Mansion, Middletown, 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:30 PM

• Saturday, December 9, “A Ceremony of Carols” - Hoffman Auditorium, University of Saint Joseph campus, West Hartford, 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM

Photo byBallet Hartford

“We have a lot of exciting new events to offer to our community and audiences in the coming months,” said Ballet Hartford Artistic Director Leyna Doran, now entering her fifth season leading the company. “It is truly a joy, bringing our collective talents and creativity to timeless works and the premiere of a newly choreographed work led by a dynamic and accomplished professional.”

Throughout the year, with professional dancers from Connecticut and across the United States, Ballet Hartford produces engaging programs that uphold tradition and celebrate innovation, highlighted by technically and artistically diverse choreographic works. The company has received national and international recognition, and continues to grow in stature with increasing acclaim from local and regional audiences.

Upcoming in the weeks ahead:

Works in Progress - Discover the behind-the-scenes of a ballet performance through this unique rehearsal experience. Watch the company dancers in rehearsal, stopping and starting, repeating and correcting at the call of the rehearsal director's trained eye. Afterwards, meet the dancers and hear about their experiences on and off stage.

Classics - Come away to a beautiful, outdoor performance of Swan Lake excerpts tucked away in Avon. Watch the work of our Resident Visual Artist, Aubrey Feliciano, as she creates a new work during the event. Then, enjoy a chance to mingle with the dancers and enjoy light refreshments as a jazz ensemble provides soothing live music.

Homage to Balanchine - This fall marks 90 years since George Balanchine’s arrival in Hartford, prior to taking root in New York City. Ballet Hartford celebrates his legacy and the tremendous impact he has had on ballet in the United States. Tour the house he resided in (courtesy of the Wadsworth Atheneum); take a master class from Suki Schorer, who learned from Mr. Balanchine himself; observe a rehearsal coaching two NYCB dancers in Balanchine’s Nutcracker Grand Pas; and enjoy a reception and Q&A session with Ms. Schorer. Details of this extraordinary day at ballethartford.org.

The Nutcracker: Short and Suite - Join Ballet Hartford at the Wadsworth Mansion for an afternoon of The Nutcracker: Short and Suite. Journey with Clara as she’s swept away to the Land of Sweets and embrace the holiday spirit with cookies, cocoa, and ballerina crafts. Be sure to wear your holiday best for meet-and-greet photos with the dancers!

A Ceremony of Carols - “I’m really excited to be choreographing a new ballet set to Benjamin Britten’s music, A Ceremony of Carols, which will showcase the talented dancers of Ballet Hartford while illuminating scenes from the nativity story,” explains Claire Kretzschmar. “I just fell in love with this music, and I want to make this something special associated with the holiday season. I believe it will really grab your heart, tapping into the joys and sorrows of motherhood, and so much more.”

Claire Kretzschmar, an accomplished dancer, teacher, choreographer, podcast host and former soloist with New York City Ballet (NYCB) is Ballet Hartford’s Resident Choreographer this fall. With New York City Ballet, she performed featured roles in works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Alexei Ratmansky, Justin Peck, and Kyle Abraham. She currently co-hosts the "The Rosin Box" segment of NYCB's podcast.

Kretzschmar worked with Ballet Hartford earlier this year, resetting the choreography of Peter and the Wolf, to the delight of audiences. She is enthusiastic about spending more time with Ballet Hartford, developing the world premiere of A Ceremony of Carols, to be seen on-stage on the campus of the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, with two performances on Saturday, December 9, at 3PM and 7:30PM.

Ballet Hartford's home at the 224 EcoSpace holds great significance within the Connecticut dance community as this facility once housed the Hartford Ballet. Overseen by Reverend Lydell Brown, the 224 EcoSpace is a premier arts, health and wellness social enterprise located on Farmington Avenue in Hartford. With its spacious studios, sprung floors and intimate, in-person performances, the building enables Ballet Hartford to carry on its mission of providing high-caliber art for audiences in the Greater Hartford region and beyond.

For more information about Ballet Hartford, visit www.ballethartford.com.