Check out our new Promotional Video!

-Mark

Can you guess who this is?

Though not a member of Ballet West, this ballet legend worked with Ballet West last season as a guest.

-Mark

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Congratulations Jane!  You are correct.

Georgina Parkinson as Juliet.

-Mark

Calvin Kitten shows a sissone.

In addition to the excellent Ballet West Academy and University of Utah staff, students of the summer program have been treated to Jazz, African, Pilates and Yoga classes.  Ballet West Principal Artists, Christopher Ruud, Christiana Bennett and Romi Beppu have taught pas de deux and variations classes along with the Artistic Staff of Ballet West, budding Ballet West choreographers Peggy Dolkas, Allison DeBona, Jason Linsley and Thomas Mattingly.  We’ve also had a special guest back from last year, the Joffrey Ballet’s Calvin Kitten.

Calvin Kitten teaches Nick about pirouettes in Men's Class.

Romi shows how to start a variation.

Calvin inspires Joshua to fly!

-Mark

Ballet West Principal Artist Christopher Ruud did not teach pas de deux class this week for the summer program.   Instead he has been in Germany staging his father’s 1968 ballet MOBILE for the world famous Stuttgart Ballet.  Tomm Ruud’s MOBILE was created for a choreography class at the University of Utah.  The ballet was later performed by San Francisco Ballet, National Ballet of Canada and this past year by the Joffrey Ballet.    Now it will be in the repertoire of the Stuttgart Ballet.  Bravo Christopher!

Christopher Ruud and the Stuttgart Opera House

Ballet West Principal Artist Christiana Bennett Ruud helps Christopher stage his father's ballet.

Christiana Bennett Ruud with the great Stuttgart Ballet Mistress and Choreologist Georgette Tsinguirides

Christopher Ruud poses with John Cranko

Christopher and Christiana with Artists of the Stuttgart Ballet

-Mark

As you can see from the new renderings by Peter Cazalet, the original designer of this production, the story will remain traditional.  The enchantment will only be greater!   

One more sneak peek for you.

New Cazalet deisgn for Spanish in Act III.

-Mark

As you already know, Ballet West will present SWAN LAKE next season.  The whole production will be reworked by Adam Sklute.  Because the ballet is being rethought many new costumes will be added to Ballet West’s already extravagant production. (Boston Ballet rented Ballet West’s Swan Lake sets and costumes last year.)  Adam Sklute and I went to the costume shop today to meet with David Heuvel, Costume Production Director and Cindy Farrimond.  David showed us the existing costumes and the numerous new sketches by famed designer Peter Cazalet.   It was truly two and a half hours of magic.  And pictured below is some of the magic for you to preivew!

There will be twenty four new dancer roles in Act I, including Ballet West Academy students.

Fabric for one of the page costumes.

There are new Cazalet designs for the the six Princesses in Act III. This is the "Hungarian Princess".

As you can see, this will be a production not to be missed!

-Mark

Ballet West’s Artistic Director Adam Sklute graciously allowed local photographer Lucas Isley to photograph one of his classes this past week.    Here are some examples of their work.  

Mary Ann

Leg on Barre

Taryn

Kimberly

Elanor

Grand Jete!

-Mark

Some pics from the summer program.

Ryan

Kyle

Kids in the Hall - Brothers Max and Nick demonstrate why they should teach Pas de Deux Class.

-Mark