Moulin Rouge Adds Performance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                 January 25, 2013

Contact: 

Meghan McNamara

Marketing Coordinator

412-454-9117

mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org

PBT ADDS EXTRA PERFORMANCE OF MOULIN ROUGE®—THE BALLET

Pittsburgh Premiere of Moulin Rouge® — The Ballet  Opens Valentine’s Day

PITTSBURGH, PA –  Due to popular demand, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre announces the addition of a fifth performance of Moulin Rouge® — The Ballet, which makes its Pittsburgh premiere this Valentine’s Day at the Benedum Center.

Onstage Feb. 14-17, PBT has added a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday, Feb. 16, to accommodate demand  throughout Valentine’s Day weekend for the most-talked-about show of the PBT season. PBT will perform Moulin Rouge® — The Ballet at the following times:

· Thursday, February 14, at 7:30 p.m.

· Friday, February 15, at 8 p.m.

· New! Saturday, February 16, at 2 p.m.

· Saturday, February 16, at 8 p.m.

· Sunday, February 17, at 2 p.m.

Experienced by more than 100,000 people across North America, Moulin Rouge®—The Ballet had its world premiere in 2009 at Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet. At the time of its premiere,  additional performances were required due to box office demand and the ballet soon became the RWB’s biggest box office success to date.

The iconic cabaret, high-kicking cancan and extravagant excesses of  turn-of-the-century Paris set the scene for a story of love, ambition and heartbreak in Moulin Rouge®—The Ballet. Drawn to Paris by the city’s passion, struggling artist Matthew and launderette-turned-performer Nathalie find themselves swept into a passionate romance and the intoxicating nightlife of the Moulin Rouge®.

Choreographer Jorden Morris, the creator behind PBT’s 2011 production of Peter Pan, laces contemporary and classical ballet with international influences from the vivacious French cancan to the fiery partnering of the Tango Café. The passion peaks with an intimate pas de deux set to  Debussy’s Claire de Lune on a bridge by the Eiffel Tower. The cabaret’s possessive proprietor Zidler, however, casts a shadow over their romance as he ensnares his newly-discovered performer and her lover in a dangerous love triangle.

A number of historic figures from the origins of the Moulin Rouge® also find roles in the ballet. French painter HenriToulouse-Lautrec, who immortalized the Moulin Rouge® with depictions of its performers, takes the role of Matthew’s mentor, and the cabaret’s co-founder Charles Zidler becomes Matthew’s adversary. 

With a score spanning 27 different works by 14 different composers — including some well-known titles such asClair de Lune, La Vie en Rose, or the Can-Can — Morris selected the majority of music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries during the rise of the Moulin Rouge®. 

Moulin Rouge® — The Ballet features more than 70 vibrantly-colored costumes, created by Anne Armit, Head of Wardrobe at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and Shannon Lovelace, a freelance designer, who drew inspiration from the fashions of the era and from Toulouse-Lautrec’s paintings of the Moulin Rouge®. A luminous red windmill and Eiffel Tower  top the onstage scenery, designed by Andrew Beck. 

The Moulin Rouge® was co-founded  in 1889 — the same year the Eiffel Tower was constructed —by builder Joseph Oller and manager Charles Zidler in the Monmartre district of Paris. The cabaret’s iconic red windmill, and namesake, became a symbol of the city’s thriving nightlife. Today, among other performance requirements, all of the Moulin Rouge’s performers must possess a solid base in classical ballet training.

This  production of Moulin Rouge® — The Ballet is generously sponsored by UPMC and PPG Industries Foundation.In the spirit of the Moulin Rouge of Paris, Moulin Rouge® is a registered trademark of Moulin Rouge S.A. 

Tickets

Tickets range in price from $25.75 to $95.75, and are available online at www.pbt.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or visiting The Box Office at Theater Square.

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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Ballet Under the Stars Performance at Hartwood Acres

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                          
July 17, 2012

Contact: Meghan McNamara
Marketing Coordinator
412-454-9117
mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Sets Stage for 2012-2013 Season 

with Free “Ballet Under the Stars” Performance at Hartwood Acres 

(Pittsburgh, PA) –  Gather your blankets and picnic chairs, and relax under the stars for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s 24th annual open air  performance at the Hartwood Acres Middle Road Concert Area on Thursday, August 16, at 7:30 p.m. with pre-performance activities beginning at 5 p.m.

As part of the Allegheny Summer Concert Series, PBT will perform a free evening of mixed repertoire by August Bournonville, George Balanchine and Dwight Rhoden. Prior to the performance, PBT will host a variety of free, family activities and  a VIP picnic dinner under the PBT tent.

Sponsored by the County of Allegheny, PBT’s Hartwood Acres performance sets in motion the anticipation of a new ballet season, which this year premieres with Giselle with the PBT Orchestra, onstage Oct. 26-28, 2012 at the Benedum Center. During Ballet Under the Stars, audience members will have access to an exclusive pre-sale for single tickets to 2012-2013 Season productions before individual tickets officially go on sale Sept. 4.

Free Performance — 7:30 p.m.

For the first time, PBT will bring the Mediterranean color of Napoli Variations to the stage with choreography from Act III of August Bournonville’s classic romantic ballet set to music by E. Helsted, Gade and Paulli.

In Sylvia Pas de Deux, George Balanchine keeps the tradition of a grand pas de deux in the French style, with an adagio, variations and a coda. Set to a sumptuous composition by Léo Delibes, this is the ideal vehicle for virtuoso performances.

The company also will perform the cutting-edge Chromatic, a 2012 Pittsburgh world premiere created on PBT dancers by choreographer Dwight Rhoden. Set to music by Johann S. Bach, Rhoden melds the classical ornamentation of the Baroque era with contemporary and athletic movement in an abstract piece that mirrors the constant motion of modern life.

Free Pre-Performance Family Activities — 5 p.m.
PBT invites audience members to arrive at 5 p.m. for  free family activities, including a ballerina dress up station, character greetings and photo opportunities, themed crafts by PBT and the Boyd Community Center and dance activities with PBT School instructors.

Annual VIP Picnic — 5 p.m.
PBT will host a savory summer barbecue under the PBT Tent sponsored by Yelp and Clique Vodka in celebration of the upcoming 2012-2013 Season.  While mingling with PBT’s company dancers, guests will enjoy live music and cocktails before heading to reserved stage-front performance seating. Tickets are available for $75 for adults and $20 for children. For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact Shayne Souleret at 412-454-9137.

For photos or interviews, please contact Meghan McNamara at 412-454-9117 or mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org.
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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Pgh Ballet Theatre Spring Performance

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Contact: Meghan McNamara
Marketing Coordinator
Office: 412-454-9117
Cell: 412-527-8953
Email:  mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org

MEDIA ALERT/ PHOTO OPPORTUNITY REQUEST FOR COVERAGE
DRESS REHEARSAL: Friday, May 25, 2012 – Byham Theater

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School Presents Spring Performance 2012

WHO: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School Student and Pre-Professional Divisions

WHAT: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School will close the year by showcasing the talent and diversity of more than 150 students with the 2012 Spring Performance. Under the direction of PBT Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr and School Directors Marjorie Grundvig and Dennis Marshall, the students will perform George Balanchine’s Serenade, excerpts from August Bournonville’s Napoli and La Sylphide as well as original PBT School works. Class Concert, a new work choreographed by PBT School Principal Anastasia Wovchko, will feature students ranging from Level 1-b of the Student Division through Level VI of the Pre-Professional Division. Set to music by Carl Czerny, the work is inspired by the progression of barre and centre work through a dancer’s training. Another new work, A Voice in Time, choreographed by PBT School Faculty Member Alan Obuzor, will feature students of the Pre- Professional Division performing contemporary choreography set to music by Philip Glass.

Friday’s dress rehearsal is open to media for photographing and filming.


WHERE: Byham Theater
101 Sixth Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222



WHEN: DRESS REHEARSAL
Friday, May 25, from 2:00-5:00 p.m.



PERFORMANCE
Friday, May 25, at 7 p.m.


TICKETS: Tickets are $26.75 for adults and $22.75 for children 12 and under, and can be purchased online at www.trustarts.org or by calling the Cultural Trust Box Office at 412-456-6666.

*Media should ask for Meghan McNamara or call her cell phone at 412-527-8953 upon arrival. Advance arrangements are appreciated.
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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Announces New Company Members, Promotions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2012
Contact: Meghan McNamara
Marketing Coordinator
412-454-9117
Email: mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Announces New Company Members and Promotions for 2012-2013 Season


(Pittsburgh, PA) – Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has signed three new apprentices to the 2012-2013 company roster and promoted two company dancers to soloist and principal positions.

Christine Schwaner has been promoted from soloist to principal, and Amanda Cochrane has been promot- ed from the corps de ballet to soloist. Joining the company as apprentices for the 2012-2013 season are three Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School graduates: JoAnna Schmidt, Casey Taylor and Corey Bourbonniere.

A native of Brazil, Christine Schwaner began her training in her hometown of Bello Horizonte. She first came to the United States to participate in the New York International Ballet Competition, where she was a finalist and was invited to join Cleveland Ballet in Ohio. Schwaner is now entering her seventh season
with PBT, where she has performed a variety of feature roles, including Swanilda in Coppélia, Svetlana in Dracula and the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty. Her repertoire also includes Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Roland Petit’s Carmen, Giselle, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Don Quixote as well as George Balan- chine’s Theme and Variations and The Four Temperaments.

Amanda Cochrane of Spokane, Washington, will begin her fourth season with PBT. Cochrane received her training at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School’s Graduate Program, Ballet Arts Academy and Sandra Olgard’s Studio of Dance. She has also studied at summer programs, including Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, American Ballet Theatre and Ballet West. Cochrane has danced the part of Tinker Bell in PBT’s Peter
Pan, and performed feature roles in a variety of PBT productions, including Uncommon and The Nutcrack- er.

2012-2013 Apprentices

Corey Bourbonniere of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, joins the company from the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School’s Graduate Program. Prior to coming to Pittsburgh, Bourbonniere received his training at the State Ballet of Rhode Island and Heritage Ballet in Rhode Island. Bourbonniere has performed in past PBT pro- ductions, including The Three Musketeers, The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, Uncommon and Coppélia.

Originally from Mount Dora, Florida, JoAnna Schmidt trained at the Academy of The Central Florida Ballet prior to joining the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School Graduate Program in 2010. Schmidt has also attended intensive summer programs at the Miami City Ballet Academy in Miami, Florida, and the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in New York City. Schmidt has danced in past PBT performances, including Coppélia, The Nutcracker, Dracula, Peter Pan and The Three Musketeers.

Casey Taylor grew up in Pittsburgh attending the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. In addition to the PBT School Graduate Program, Taylor has also trained at Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Professional Division and attended summer courses at The School of American Ballet and Boston Ballet. Taylor has danced in PBT’s
2011-2012 productions of Coppélia and A Streetcar Named Desire and has previously performed with
Pacific Northwest Ballet and with Dresden Semperoper Ballet as a guest dancer.

The 2012-2013 Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre company roster will make its main stage debut in Giselle at the
Benedum Center from October 26-28, 2012.

2012-2013 Performances
Giselle — October 26-28, 2012 - Benedum Center
The Nutcracker — December 7-30 - Benedum Center
Moulin Rouge - The Ballet — February 14-17, 2013 - Benedum Center
Unspoken — March 8-17, 2013 - August Wilson Center
Cinderella — April 19-21, 2013 - Benedum Center


Subscription packages for the 2012-2013 season are now available online at www.pbt.org or by calling
412-454-9107.

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

PBT Students Invited to Artist Residency Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Meghan McNamara
412-454-9117
Email:   mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org

PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE SCHOOL GRADUATE STUDENTS INVITED TO ARTIST RESIDENCY PROGRAM IN WICKENBURG, ARIZONA

PITTSBURGH, PA (April 2012) - PBT School has been invited to participate in an Artist Residency Program in Wickenburg, Arizona hosted by the Del E. Webb Center for Performing Arts and in partnership with the Flying E Ranch. The residency program is designed to give performing arts groups the opportunity to learn new works created by established and emerging artists.

Eighteen students from PBT School’s Graduate Program have been selected by School Directors, Marjorie Grundvig and Dennis Marshall to participate in the residency from April 24-29. The 5 male and 13 female student dancers range in age from 17-22 and hail from across the United States, Canada, Japan, and Brazil. The students’ residency schedule will be both intense and challenging, consisting of classes, rehearsals, repertoire, and learning a new piece in a five day period.

Joining the group in Wickenburg will be choreographer Viktor Plotnikov, who will spend the week creating and rehearsing a new piece specifically for the residency. Plotnikov has set a number of pieces on both the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Company and the Pre-Professional students of PBT School. Plotnikov is originally from Kharkov City, Ukraine and has danced with the Donetsk Ballet Company, Ballet Mississippi, and the Boston Ballet. At the close of the week, on Sunday, April 29, Plotnikov’s new work will premiere alongside other mixed repertoire during a performance at the Del E. Webb Center for Performing Arts and will be open to the public.

Overview of Artist Residency Program and Facility

The residency, officially the “Wellik Series” performance and residency, is made possible through financial support from the Wellik Foundation and is a partnership between the Del E. Webb Center for Performing Arts and the Flying E Ranch. The residency is designed to foster the creative, collaborative and performance projects of established and emerging performing artists. Each residency is designed to allow artistic companies the opportunity to pursue new projects, mount work or collaborate with other artists, free from every day pressures.

Other notable dance troupes that have participated in the Artist Residency include ABT II, Northwest Dance Project, and Ballet Arizona.

The Residency program was created in the summer of 2009 and in addition to dance, includes disciplines of music, theatre, and film. Those participating in the program stay at the Flying E Ranch, a working dude and cattle ranch open to guests November through April, located 1.25 hours NW of Phoenix on 20,000 acres of wide open range land in the high Sonoran desert. The residencies (up to 3 per year) are intended to take place during the slower periods at the Ranch. As a result, each artist will have the opportunity to enjoy all that the Ranch has to offer, including horseback riding, tennis, hay rides, and campfire cookouts.

In addition to exposing artists, managers, and production staff to the Flying E Ranch and Del E. Webb Center, the Residency also helps to connect the local community with exciting artistic endeavors through open rehearsals, readings, and performances.

Admission for the April 29 Performance at 3 p.m. is free, but, tickets are required (nominal handling fees). http://www.delewebbcenter.org/events/event.php?id=168

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School is the official training institution of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and has an enrollment of over 900 students, including the Children’s, Student, Pre-Professional and Open Divisions. The Children’s Division gives young students an introduction to ballet and prepares them for advancement to the Student Division. Dancers in the Student Division work to refine their technique and dancers in the Pre- Professional Program prepare for professional careers in classical ballet. Many students perform in an annual School Spring Performance at the Byham Theater, and some students are chosen by Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr to perform with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre at the Benedum Center. Each year, PBT School students can audition for The Nutcracker, and in 2011 more than 150 were cast in a variety of roles.

PBT School Graduate Program

The PBT School Graduate Program prepares the student for a professional career. Graduate Students are offered a comprehensive curriculum of classical ballet studies. The curriculum is supervised by the School Directors and is taught by a distinguished faculty. The faculty works closely with Terrence S. Orr, Artistic Director of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, to achieve a style that reflects his vision and adapts well to the demands of PBT and other professional ballet companies.

The Graduate Program curriculum may include: Ballet Technique, Pointe, Variations, Partnering, Men’s Class, Repertoire, Character, Contemporary, Modern, Jazz, and Pilates Mat classes. Graduate students receive résumé seminars, assistance with audition photos, cover letters and letters of recommendation, and conferences with Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr as well as PBT School Directors.

Each year, PBT School Graduate students are offered contracts and apprenticeships with many prestigious companies around the country such as American Repertory Ballet, Aspen Sante Fe Ballet, Ballet Arizona, Ballet Austin, Ballet Met Columbus, Ballet West, Boston Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Complexions, Columbia City Ballet, Louisville Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theater, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Richmond Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, among others.

For more information, please contact Meghan McNamara at 412.454.9117 or  mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org.

For information on the guest ranch or the Webb Center, please visit  www.flyingeranch.com or  www.delewebbcenter.org.

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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

JFest Features PBT's Performance of Step Touch

NEWS RELEASE

Release Date:
April 3, 2012

Contacts:
Jennifer Faines
Jennifer.faines@gmail.com
Ellen Roteman
ERoteman@jfedpgh.org
Jewish Federation
Aimee Waeltz
Awaeltz@pittsburghballet.org
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

Jewish Federation’s JFest to Feature Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre 

Ballet’s Performance Announces its International Tour to Israel

PITTSBURGH, PA – April 3, 2012 – To mark the announcement of its first international tour in several years, and in celebration of Israel as the destination, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will perform Step Touch at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s JFest – A Celebration of Israel Independence Day and the Jewish Community on April 26 in the city’s Oakland neighborhood.

The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will make this special appearance in anticipation of an overseas tour that will take them to Israel this August to perform at the 25th Anniversary of the Karmiel Dance Festival, which hosts some 5,000 dancers from Israel and abroad and attracts more than 300,000 visitors and guests. Karmiel and the Misgav region are Pittsburgh's sister communities in Israel through the Partnership2Gether program, a project of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, in cooperation with the Jewish Agency for Israel, that builds people-to-people connections between Israeli and global Jewish communities .

“We are thrilled with the exciting developments that have brought the Jewish Federation and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre together, and we’re pleased to share their talents and tour news with Pittsburgh at our biggest- ever Israel Independence Day celebration,” said Jeff Finkelstein, President and CEO, Jewish Federation of
Greater Pittsburgh. “In addition to the international recognition for the Ballet as one of our city’s most treasured cultural assets, this tour to Israel is particularly meaningful because of our city’s and the Federation’s relationship with Karmiel and the Misgav region as Pittsburgh's sister communities.”

At JFest and at the Karmiel Dance Festival, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will be performing Step Touch, choreographed by Dwight Rhoden. The ballet is set to a dozen songs of the Doo Wop era, and is an energetic and fast-paced contemporary ballet. The music creates a general sweep of feelings and mood that is infectious, both for dancers and the audience.

“Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is excited to revisit the many relationships we established while performing Light, The Holocaust and Humanity Project in 2009. Touring to Pittsburgh’s own sister city of Karmiel, Israel, speaks on an even larger scale to the powerful role the arts can play in forging cross-cultural connections,” said Harris Ferris, executive director of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. “The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has been instrumental in building this international partnership, and it will be a privilege to represent a part of the Pittsburgh arts community in Israel this summer.”

As part of its year-long Centennial Celebration, the Jewish Federation has expanded its annual Israel Independence Day festivities into an enhanced event with more diverse programs that will appeal to a broad audience of all ages and affiliations. The event will take place Thursday, April 26, 4-8:45pm at Schenley Plaza (between Hillman and Carnegie Libraries in Oakland) and in the nearby Carnegie Music Hall, where the PBT dancers will perform at 6:45pm.

Among the other activities for JFest participants of all ages will be: the PJ Library Archeological Dig, where children can dig in the "sands of Israel" and unearth treasures; Krav Maga demonstrations and workshops, showcasing the self-defense discipline used by the Israel Defense Forces; mitzvah projects sponsored by the Jewish National Fund (planting) and the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry (food drive and packing snack bags); Passport to Partnership, a scavenger-hunt-style activity highlighting Karmiel and the Misgav region, Pittsburgh's Partnership2Gether sister communities in Israel; performances by Seeds of Sun, one of the leading Israeli-Jazz ensembles in North America, and the Spirit of Israel Teen Delegation from Karmiel and Misgav; Israeli dancing; the "Jerusalem Biblical Zoo," ; and Tel Aviv's Luna Park, the ever-popular bounce-houses.

For a complete JFest 2012 Schedule and more activity details, including regional shuttle services to the event, visit: www.jfestpgh.org  or contact Eric Probola of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh at 412-992-5247.

The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is a community based and internationally recognized professional ballet company that performs traditional and contemporary ballet and develops innovative new works. It seeks to perpetuate excellence in the art of ballet through performances, superior training of student dancers and community engagement activities. For more information, visit: www.pbt.org.

Photos:  Rich Sofranko
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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Presents Coppelia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 16, 2012

Contact: Meghan McNamara

Marketing Coordinator

412-454-9117

Email: mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Presents Coppélia at the Benedum April 13-15, 2012

PBT to Host Cookies with Coppélia Open House Sunday, April 1

(Pittsburgh, PA) – Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre brings ballet’s original romantic comedy to the stage with the story of an unlikely love triangle in Coppélia, onstage with live orchestra April 13-15 at the Benedum Center.

Closing the PBT 2011-12 season on a high note is this beloved family favorite featuring the classical cho- reography of Arthur Saint-Léon and the uplifting score of Léo Delibes.

In a disastrous case of mistaken identity, a mysterious girl glimpsed from the window of Dr. Coppelius’ workshop sparks a lovers’ quarrel between the young village couple Franz and Swanhilda. Beguiled by the charms of the beautiful Coppélia, Franz is distracted from his betrothed as he pursues the life-like creation of the eccentric Dr. Coppelius. The absurdity reaches hilarious heights when the inquisitive Swanhilda discovers her rival is nothing more than a doll and chaos ensues.

Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s short stories “Der Sandmann” (The Sandman), Coppélia was created when choreographer Arthur Saint-Léon, librettist Charles Nuitter and composer Léo Delibes revisioned the dark tale into a light-hearted fantasy. At the time of its 1870 premiere at the Paris Opera Ballet, Coppélia ad- vanced innovations in ballet as it broke with many Romantic-era conventions to reinvigorate the art form. The production explored a lighter side of ballet with playful humor, an assertive female protagonist and a lyrical score that expounded on character themes with complex national dances, including the Hungarian czardas and the Polish mazurka. Under the direction of Charles Barker, the PBT Orchestra will bring to life Léo Delibes’ exceptional score, which is widely regarded as a decisive factor in earning Coppélia its enduring acclaim.

First performed by Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in 1998, Coppélia has been a long-standing audience favorite, captivating adults and children alike with its vibrant colors, costuming and choreography.

Tickets range in price from $22.75-$90.75 and can be purchased online at www.pbt.org or by calling 412-

456-6666.

Performance Times Friday, April 13, at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 15, at 2 p.m.

SPECIAL EVENT

Cookies with Coppélia — A PBT Open House

To get ready for the fun, PBT is inviting Pittsburghers to fall in love with Coppélia with a family-friendly trip to Dr. Coppelius’ workshop on Sunday, April 1, from 12 to 3 p.m. at the PBT Studios, 2900 Liberty Ave. The PBT studios will come to life with a variety of fun-filled ways to get creative with Coppélia. Craft your own toy-themed creations, learn steps from the ballet, enjoy cookies and treats and bring your camera to get a photo with characters from PBT’s delightful production of Coppélia! This event is free and open to the public.
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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

PBT Donor Entices Students to Experience A Streetcar Named Desire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 27, 2012

Contact: Meghan McNamara
Marketing Coordinator
412-454-9117
Email: mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org

PBT Donor Pledges $10,000 to Bring Students to A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

A Streetcar Named Desire

March 9-11, 2012

Benedum Center

(Pittsburgh, PA) – One Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre supporter thinks it’s important enough for local college students to experience the raw emotion of John Neumeier’s A Streetcar Named Desire that they’ve donated $10,000 to get students free seats on opening night.

Through this anonymous pledge, students now have the chance to be among the first audiences to see PBT’s A Streetcar Named Desire, which makes its Pittsburgh Premiere on the Benedum Center stage March 9-11. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will be the first American ballet company to perform the ballet, marking only its second performance in the United States.

PBT is now challenging Pittsburgh-area college students to experience this powerful production by choos- ing one of two ways to secure a free ticket to the opening night performance at 8 p.m. Friday, March 9:

1. Students can submit a brief statement explaining why they think A Streetcar Named Desire is a must- see production. Submit statements to Aziza El Feil at 412.454.9127 or ael-feil@pittsburghballet.org.

2. Students can complete a PBT pre-performance survey available at www.pbt.org or the following link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WB5K288.


Tickets will be held at the Benedum Center Box Office. A valid student ID must be shown at the time of pickup.


*A Streetcar Named Desire is recommended for mature audiences only. This offer is open to high school juniors and seniors who wish to apply with parental approval.

A Streetcar Named Desire, a ballet by John Neumeier, takes audiences inside the tormented mind of aging southern belle Blanche Du Bois. Alternating between past and present, the production echoes her unraveling sense of reality. Neumeier’s searing choreography unites classical ballet and physical dance theater to evoke a powerful experience for ballet goers. Streetcar, originally created for Stuttgart Ballet, with Richard Cragun and Marcia Haydee in the roles of Stanley Kowalski and Blanche DuBois, has dominated stages in Europe since its premiere in 1983. In a jarring portrayal of clashing cultures, the production incites the senses as it explores fractious social issues that remain as relevant today as they were in the 1940’s New Orleans society depicted in Tennessee Williams’ American classic.
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Choreography: John Neumeier

Music: Sergei Prokofiev and Alfred Schnittke Scenic and Costume Design: John Neumeier Photography: Duane Rieder





2011/2012 Season



Peter Pan

With the Orchestra

October 28-30, 2011

Benedum Center





The Nutcracker

December 2-23, 2011

Benedum Center





Uncommon

With Chamber Musicians

February 3-12 , 2012

August Wilson Center





A Streetcar Named Desire

March 9-11, 2012

Benedum Center





Coppélia

With the Orchestra

April 13-15, 2012

Benedum Center

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

A Streetcar Named Desire Ballet at the Benedum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Aimee Waeltz
awaeltz@pittsburghballet.org
412-454-9129

Meghan McNamara
mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org
412-454-9117

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Presents A Streetcar Named Desire

Photo by Duane Rieder; Dancers Eva Trapp and Robert Moore

(Pittsburgh, PA) – Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre presents A Streetcar Named Desire, a ballet by John Neumeier, March 9-11, 2012 at the Benedum Center. Making its Pittsburgh Premiere, and only the second time being performed in the United States, is the raw emotion of Tennessee Williams’ American classic A Streetcar Named Desire. A jarring portrayal of clashing cultures, the ballet takes audiences inside the tormented mind of aging southern belle Blanch Du Bois. Alternating between past and present, the production echoes her unraveling sense of reality. Neumeier’s searing choreography unites classical ballet and physical dance theater to evoke a powerful experience for ballet goers.

Photo by Duane Rieder;  Dancers Eva Trapp and Robert Moore

 

Streetcar, originally created for Stuttgart Ballet, with Richard Cragun and Marcia Haydee in the roles of Stanley Kowalski and Blanch DuBois, has dominated stages in Europe since its premiere in 1983. This is the first time the ballet is being performed by and set on an American company.

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Uncommon at the August Wilson Center

UNCOMMON, February 3-12, 2012 at the August Wilson Center

(Pittsburgh, PA) – Uncommon, on stage February 3-12 at the August Wilson Center, presents a new, world premiere work by Dwight Rhoden, Chromatic, as well as Brahm’s Quintet by Dennis Nahat and Maelstrom by Mark Morris. Audiences will be treated to an experience that will challenge any predetermined ideas regarding the relationship between classical composition and ballet. This is the first time Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre brings a part of its season to the August Wilson Center. Tickets to Uncommon can be purchased online at www.pbt.org, or by phone at (412) 456-6666.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre plans to announce it’s 2012-2013 Season at the performances of Uncommon.


QUOTE:

This world premiere ballet [Chromatic] set to Bach is an exciting venture. The new work will look at the dynamic and multi-dimensional nature of the music and movement from the Baroque period, and hopefully bring a 21st century spin to a visual presentation.—Dwight Rhoden


About Choreographer Dwight Rhoden

Mr. Rhoden is a founding Artistic Director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, based in New York City. A former principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, he has established a remarkably wide-ranging career. “One of the most sought-after choreographers of the day“ (New York Times), he has created more than 80 ballets for his own company, and his work has been featured in television productions from PBS’s Great Performances specials to the popular series, So You Think You Can Dance. Dance Magazine has praised his “new aesthetic in movement, stage, picture, and performance concepts reflecting a post-modern, techno-savvy worldview.”


Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and The August Wilson Center

In 2011, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) and the August Wilson Center (AWC) will began a multiyear partnership that includes the Ballet’s premiere performances of Uncommon, in the Center’s 486-seat theatre, February 3-12, 2012. This partnership seeks to develop and provide world-class artistic content that will enrich the artistic substance of both institutions to the benefit of the Greater Pittsburgh community and beyond. The collaboration will include performances, education & cultivation and workshops & master classes.

Moving from the Byham Theater to the August Wilson Center will provide PBT patrons with a more intimate experience at the ballet.


Info from August Wilson Center:

About the August Wilson Center for African American Culture

Named for Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright and Hill District native August Wilson, the August Wilson Center for African American Culture engages regional and national audiences in its mission of preserving, presenting, interpreting, celebrating and shaping the art, culture and history of African Americans in Western Pennsylvania and people of African descent throughout the world.

Located in Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, the multidisciplinary August Wilson Center is reflective of all aspects of African American culture. The Center’s striking, two-story, green building houses seven exhibition galleries, a 486-seat theater for performances in all disciplines, a cultivation center, a café and gift shop, and multipurpose spaces for community programs and events. The Center is among a select few African American cultural institutions presenting visual and performing arts, the humanities and educational programs in a state-of-the-art venue.

The August Wilson Center – At The Center Of It All!

More information is available on The Center’s website at AugustWilsonCenter.org and by calling 412.258.2700.
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Posted on behalf of Joanne Quinn-Smith by Joyce Kane.  Joyce is the Owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh