Atlanta Ballet Continues to Shape New Artistic Profile
with Announcement of its Robust 2013-14 Season

Featuring
Atlanta Ballet Premiere of Roméo et Juliette by Les Ballet de Monte-Carlo’s Jean-Christophe Maillot
Atlanta Ballet Premiere of Ohad Naharin’s Secus
Atlanta Ballet Premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s Seven Sonatas
Return of Stephen Mill’s Hamlet
A World Premiere by Atlanta Ballet Choreographer in Residence Helen Pickett

    

ATLANTA – (UPDATED - June 3, 2013) – The artistic evolution of Atlanta Ballet (AB) continues as the Company reveals another season of dynamic dance and provocative premieres by some of the world’s most inventive and in-demand choreographers.

The 2012-13 season was a vibrant blend of Company favorites and daring new works, but the 13-14 season promises to push the limits even further as it takes another grand leap in defining itself as a Company to reckon with.

“Something is happening at Atlanta Ballet, and audiences should take note,” said Atlanta dance writer Cynthia Perry in a 2013 performance review.

“Atlanta Ballet is no longer just a strong Southern troupe – it’s a boundary-pushing powerhouse,” said national dance publication Pointe Magazine in a recent article.

The new season will be marked by company debuts such as the sophisticated retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (titled Roméo et Juliette) by Les Ballet de Monte-Carlo’s Jean-Christophe Maillot. The full-evening ballet was most recently performed by Seattle’s Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) and opened to stellar reviews.

Atlanta Ballet’s program of edgy, contemporary dances will return in March, highlighted by another premiere from Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin. Naharin’s 2013 contribution to the AB season was the audience hit Minus 16. This time the dancers will go Gaga with Naharin’s Secus – the second work in a three-year partnership with the choreographer.

Atlanta Ballet will also present another modern interpretation of a Shakespearian classic, the return of Stephen Mill’s emotionally-charged Hamlet in April. In May, for the season finale, Atlanta audiences will witness two new works: a world premiere by AB’s new resident choreographer Helen Pickett and a debut by current AB company dancer Tara Lee.

“It’s always exciting to announce a new season, but one of this caliber is truly exhilarating,” said Atlanta Ballet artistic director John McFall. “We’ll be representing some of the most notable choreographers from around the world, while continuing to foster new talent and usher in the next generation of dance makers. This season embodies our commitment to create a distinct artistic profile for Atlanta Ballet. Our dancers have never looked stronger, and we are proud to bring compelling performances of extraordinary works to our audiences.”

 

Atlanta Ballet’s 2013-14 Season

BELK PRESENTS ATLANTA BALLET’S NUTCRACKER (Full-evening Ballet)
December 6-29, 2013 | The Fabulous Fox Theatre
Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra
Featuring New Magical Illusions by Special Guest Artist Drew Thomas

The tradition continues as the season begins with Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, sponsored by Belk, Inc. The whimsical holiday tale takes 20 pounds of snow, eight tons of scenery, lighting, and props, and a 38-foot-tall Christmas tree to make the magic of Marya’s unbelievable story come to life. More than 250 of Atlanta’s young dancers will join the Atlanta Ballet professional company for this extravagant production live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and the Georgia Youth Choir for all performances. After 54 years, Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker continues to be a treasured holiday tradition shared by multiple generations.

Jean-Christophe Maillot’s ROMÉO ET JULIETTE (Full-evening Ballet)
February 7–15, 2014 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra

All the way from Les Ballet de Monte-Carlo, Jean-Christophe Maillot’s alluring, ethereal production of Roméo et Juliette redefines the classic love story of the star-crossed lovers of Verona. Roméo et Juliette is an emotional, cinematic journey that Ballet-Dance Magazine described as “quirky, artistically innovative, intelligent, intellectually and visually stimulating, endlessly interesting.” The Seattle Times said "It's a remarkable work...like no 'Romeo and Juliet' ballet you’ve seen before: It's intricate, often achingly beautiful, and never simply pretty."

MODERN CHOREOGRAPHIC VOICES (Mixed Repertory)
March 21-23, 2014 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Featuring the Atlanta Ballet Premiere of Israeli Choreographer Ohad Naharin’s Secus
Atlanta Ballet Premiere of Seven Sonatas by American Ballet Theatre’s Alexei Ratmansky 
Atlanta Ballet Encore Presentation of Jorma Elo’s 1st Flash

Atlanta Ballet’s edgy mixed rep program Modern Choreographic Voices presents the works of some of the most sought-after choreographers and promises a look at the bold, new directions in the world of contemporary dance.Ohad Naharin will return with the Atlanta Ballet premiere of Secus, employing his signature “Gaga” improvisational style. From Alexei Ratmansky, the current artist in residence at American Ballet Theatre and former artistic director of the legendary Bolshoi Ballet, Atlanta Ballet presents the hypnotic Seven Sonatas. Jorma Elo’s futuristic 1st Flash returns this season after its Atlanta Ballet debut in 2012. Just as the name implies, the choreography astonishes with speed and athleticism and demonstrates why The New York Times’ “Year in Review” named Elo a “talent to follow.” Modern Choreographic Voices contains nudity; parental discretion advised.

Stephen Mill’s HAMLET (Full-evening Ballet)
April 11–13, 2014 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Music by Philip Glass performed live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra

This haunting tale of intrigue, revenge and power, set in the Danish royal court, is back in Atlanta after a 10-year hiatus. The second Shakespearean classic of the 13-14 season, Stephen Mill’s Hamlet blends traditional ballet with contemporary staging – imagine Armani suits and velvet dresses with a striking metal panel backdrop – to create a startlingly original story ballet that has mesmerized audiences and critics around the world. In a 2003 review of the Atlanta Ballet southeastern premiere, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution described it as “Stark. Modern. Unforgiving. Relentless.”

World Premieres (Mixed Repertory)
May 16–18, 2014 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
A World Premiere by Helen Pickett, Atlanta Ballet’s New Resident Choreographer
Also featuring a New Work by Atlanta Ballet Company Dancer Tara Lee 

The Company will close its 2013-14 season with a May program featuring two world premieres by two women choreographers – Helen Pickett and Tara Lee.

Helen Pickett is one of the most in-demand contemporary choreographers in the industry, creating new works for world-renowned dance companies. In 2007, Dance Magazine marked Helen as one of “25 to Watch,” and Atlanta Ballet named her its new resident choreographer in 2012. Pickett is known for tactile choreography that draws viewers into the work by establishing a connection that penetrates the audience-stage divide.

Tara Lee returns with a world premiere after awing audiences with 2012’s Pavo. Lee, also an accomplished dancer entering her eighteenth season with Atlanta Ballet, has proven she is a multi-dimensional and distinctive emerging choreographer.

The Atlanta Ballet Fellowship Ensemble Presents: PINOCCHIO (One-hour Family Performance)
February 15-16, 2014 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Presented by the Atlanta Ballet Fellowship Ensemble, it’s the classic story of the hapless Pinocchio brought to life in a magical one-hour ballet for the entire family. Recommend for ages 12 and under.

For more information on Atlanta Ballet’s 2013-14 season, call 404-873-5811 or visit www.atlantaballet.com.

###

Atlanta Ballet 2013-14 Season Special Events:
2013 Corps de Ballet Luncheon – September 23, 2013 at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead
2014 Atlanta Ballet Ball – February 22, 2014 at the St. Regis Hotel Buckhead

About Atlanta Ballet: Founded in 1929, Atlanta Ballet is one of the premier dance companies in the country and the official state Ballet of Georgia. Atlanta Ballet's eclectic repertoire spans ballet history, highlighted by beloved classics and inventive originals. After 84 years, Atlanta Ballet continues its commitment to share and educate audiences on the empowering joy of dance. In 1996, Atlanta Ballet opened the Centre for Dance Education and is dedicated to nurturing young dancers while providing an outlet for adults to express their creativity. The Centre serves over 150,000 people in metro Atlanta each year. Atlanta Ballet's roots remain firmly grounded in the Atlanta community and continue to play a vital role in the city's cultural growth and revitalization. For more information, visit www.atlantaballet.com, follow us on Twitter @atlantaballet, and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atlantaballet.