| BALLET
IN THE PARK Since 1985 . . . “It started as a dream and became a tradition.” Season 2009 The 25th season of Ballet in the Park Generations of Rogue Valley residents and visitors have enjoyed Ballet in the Park. For some, the series provides their only opportunity to see live ballet performances. s For tourists, Ballet in the Park offers a reason to prolong their stay in town. And for others, Ballet in the Park has provided the inspiration to start dance training. Many Ballet in the Park alumni have gone on to dance with nationally recognized companies, including the San Francisco Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet, the Trocadero Ballet, and the Pacific Northwest ballet, as well as on Broadway. A gift to the community, Ballet in the Park offers opportunities for aspiring young dancers to receive pre-professional training, weekly master classes, and to perform with professionals Ballet in the Park attracts fifty young budding ballerinas at the Little Ballerina class held days of performances. Although Ballet in the Park is free to the public, nothing is truly free. Each performance costs approximately $5,000. The performances are funded by grant from the City of Ashland, and private donors. This year's funding challenge is not as much for the operating expenses but rather the replacement of the surface floor. The Butler bandshell stage has a cement base and a special dance floor covers its surface during the ballet's performances. Ballet Rogue's technical director Tony Scarborough found a floor that will be safe for the dancers and agreeable with the Concert Band Series. "This is a good floor, easily manageable and will out last all others the ballet used so far" said Scarborough. $10,000 is needed to acquire it and thus assuring the seasons to come. While board members and volunteers are busy raising the additional funds, artistic director Gaumond Hyrst is in the early stages of preparing the season's repertoire for rehearsals. Her program is, as always, filled with variety and excitement. From alluring variations of Sexy, Classy, Ballerinas Variations set in the so enchanting background of Don Quixote's dream of Dulcinea to the up-beat contemporary revival of Axis, ending the evening with the grand dramatic work of Eric Hyrst: Salome, the Dance of the Seven Veils inspired by Aubrey Beardsley's decadent drawings, and, Helene Wilson's fabulous full moon tapestry and handmade set. Guest groups will also be part of the 25th anniversary feast. There is talk of Ballet Fantastic' s return to Ballet in the Park after last year's successful appearance, Kinetic Images, Classical Futures and possibly others. Two former company dancers, Edwina Castle and Teresa Taylor are coming to give master classes and ballet introductions. The company expects John Grenback of Oregon Ballet Academy to return as guest teacher. What would be a 25th season without change? As change is in the air, Ballet in the Park's performances are moving to Sunday night. Artistic director Gaumond Hyrst says: "this will be more accommodating to our crew, volunteers, guest companies, artists and teachers". She ads by saying: "this will also make Sunday of performance a "ballet day" with morning rehearsals, followed by Little Ballerina" class, lunch, master classes, rest and, stage call and performance". Ballet in the Park is in a sort of way becoming a dance festival! The performances dates are also changes to July 19 & 26, August 2 & 9th - the last two Sundays of July and the first two of August. Two new fundraisers are planned for this special season: the Children's Ice Cream Social to be held at the Butler bandshell and, the Spring Wine Tasting to be held in Jacksonville. Join in he celebration! For further information on program, auditions or wish to donate, call Ballet Rogue at 541-773-5118 or visit www.balletrogue.com Donations can be mailed directly to Ballet Rogue P.O.Box 786 Medford Or 97501 Contact person; 541-973-9285, Diane G.H. THE NUTCRACKER It has been said that it isn’t Christmas unless you’ve seen Nutcracker. This timeless story of a child’s dreams and imagination has delighted audiences for decades. For ballet enthusiasts and dance novices alike, Ballet Rogue’s Nutcracker delights. This year’s new costumes and choreography will add a little extra magic to this famous Christmas classic. About The Nutcracker Ballet The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffman (1810) was first performed at the Marynsky Theater, St-Petersburg, Russia, on December 17th, 1892. Peter I.Tchaikovsky composed the brilliant score and Marius Petipa, the classical choreography giving the ballet its classical structure and technique. Their close collaboration gave us ballets such as this one still enjoyed all over the world today In Ballet Rogue’s Production, the choreography staged by late Eric Hyrst followed faithfully the original Petipa concept as well as allowed freedom of adaptation. Hyrst studied under Nicholas Sergeyev who had been working with Petipa and was responsible for the staging of Petipa’s work for the Saddler’s Ballet of London (now known as the Royal Ballet). Diane Gaumond Hyrsts’ version of the Nutcracker, choreographed for Ballet Rogue, premiered at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater in 1998 with a 30-piece orchestra. Performance dates & tickets This year’s performances are December 18 at 8:00 pm,December 19 at 2:30 and 8:00 pm, and December 20 at 2:30. All performances are presented at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theatre in Medford. Family Night Friday December 19, tickets price is reduced! For ticket information, call the Craterian at 779-3000 or visit their website at www.craterian.org. Ballet Rogue seeks an assistant artistic director for it's 2009 season. Contact Ballet Rogue at 541-773-5118 |
