WASHINGTON DC: Ballet Across America--curated by Misty Copeland and Justin Peck
Company:
Various artists
Our celebration of innovation and diversity in American ballet returns, this season curated by stars Justin Peck and Misty Copeland, who'll explore ideas central to the John F. Kennedy centennial with several companies across multiple programs. The week begins with a spectacular opening night celebration spotlighting two world premiere commissions among the performances along with several special guests.
JUSTIN PECK & MISTY COPELAND CURATE
BALLET ACROSS AMERICA
with the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra
OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION PROGRAM (MON.)
Hosted by Sara Mearns, New York City Ballet principal dancer and other special guests
Ezra Hurwitz Film Commission (world premiere)
--Featuring dancers Stella Abrera, Isabella Boylston, Marcelo Gomes, Calvin Royal III, and James Whiteside, among others
Garden of Dreams Commission (Mendelssohn/McQueen – world premiere)
--Performed by students of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theatre
The Leaves are Fading (Dvorak/Tudor)
--Performed by Stella Abrera and Marcelo Gomes, American Ballet Theatre principal dancers
IMPRINT/MAYA (Rozenblatt/Rhoden)
--Performed by Complexions Contemporary Ballet's Desmond Richardson
Concerto (Folds/Vasterling)
--Performed by Nashville Ballet with the composer Ben Folds on piano accompanying the ballet onstage
Additional repertoire to be announced at a later date
PROGRAM CURATED BY MISTY COPELAND (WED./THU./FRI.)
Nashville Ballet: Concerto (Folds/Vasterling)
--Kennedy Center debut (Paul Vasterling, Artistic Director & CEO)
Complexions Contemporary Ballet: Star Dust (Bowie/Rhoden)
--Kennedy Center debut (Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Artistic Directors)
The Black Iris Project: Madiba (Moore/McQueen)
--Kennedy Center debut (Jeremy McQueen, Artistic Director)
Apr. 19: Free Post-Performance Discussion with artists from the evening's participating companies
PROGRAM CURATED BY JUSTIN PECK (SAT./SUN.)
L.A. Dance Project: Hearts and Arrows (Glass/Millipied)
--Kennedy Center debut (Benjamin Millepied, Artistic Director)
Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion: The Gettin' (Glasper/Abraham) with live music on stage
--Kennedy Center debut (Kyle Abraham, Artistic Director)
The Joffrey Ballet: Fool's Paradise (Talbot/Wheeldon)
--(Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director)
Apr. 22 (eve.): Free Post-Performance Discussion with artists from the evening's participating companies
~~~~~~~
These programs are part of JFKC: A Centennial Celebration of John F. Kennedy, inspired by five enduring ideals often ascribed to JFK: Courage, Freedom, Justice, Service, and Gratitude.
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