Festival Ballet Providence 25th Anniversary Season Celebrates the Past, Present and Future
Providence, RI - Festival Ballet Providence's 2002-2003 season will celebrate the Company's 25th Anniversary Season with a memorable series of exciting performances.
The organization, founded by Christine Hennessy and Winthrop Corey in 1978, has been under the artistic leadership of Artistic Director Mihailo Djuric since the summer of 1998, and has grown to become one of New England's premiere dance companies and dance education centers.
The season vividly exemplifies Mr. Djuric's vision for the company, with strong reverence for the past, unqualified regard for original new choreography, and commitment to passionate, inspiring performances for his audiences.
Mr. Djuric notes, "For the company's 25th Anniversary, I wanted a season that gave tribute to the company's early repertory, to the organization's founders, and to the torch-bearers of creative new works among Rhode Island's most talented choreographers. I want our audience to get a sense of the thrill I experienced when I saw dance for the first time, and to hook them as I have been for over 35 years."
All performances for the 25th Anniversary Season will take place in Providence's premiere performance theaters, the 3,100 seat Providence Performing Arts Center, and the 2,200 seat VMA Arts & Cultural Center.
The Festival Ballet Providence Company includes an international roster of 20 members (from 8 different countries), with an additional 5 character dancers and 10 Junior Company members. The company's repertory spans classical, neo-classical, contemporary and modern works. Its talented company brings to the region an intense love for dance and a commitment to inspire its audience.
Performances for the 25th Anniversary Season include:
Giselle
November 15, 16, & 17, 2002
The Nutcracker
December 13, 14, & 15, 2002
Cinderella
February 14, 15 & 16, 2003
A Midsummer Night's Dream and Three World Premieres
May 2, 3, & 4, 2003
Includes Christine Hennessy's magical A Midsummer Night's Dream and world
premieres by 3 of Rhode Island's most talented choreographers.
The season's Spnsors to date have been enthusiastic in their support of Festival Ballet Providence.
Cate M. Roberts, Textron's Director of Community Affairs noted: "Textron is excited to support Festival Ballet Providence's outreach initiatives, 'Discover Dance' performances of The Nutcracker, Cinderella and A Midsummer Night's Dream, and 'Learning Through Dance'. The company's rising prominence and its commitment to bring dance to a broad audience are commendable and inspiring."
"The Providence Journal Company is proud to be a long-time supporter of Festival Ballet Providence. Our Principal Sponsor support of this year's performance of Giselle continues our commitment to support Festival Ballet Providence as it enriches our community with exciting, world-class performances, outstanding dance education, and important outreach to a diverse consituency." Howard G. Sutton, Chairman, President, Publisher and CEO.
Season Television Sponsor NBC10 noted: "NBC10 has been a proud sponsor of Providence's Festival Ballet in seasons past. Their contribution to the cultural community has been tremendous. Festival Ballet's selection of choreography is always unique and brings ballet to people of all ages. NBC10 looks forward to another season of exciting performances and wishes the Company great success".
"Festival Ballet Providence offers so much. The wonderful performances, the world class dancers, and the educational outreach programs are things you only find in cities that are truly devoted to the arts," said Bank Rhode Island President & CEO Merrill W. Sherman. "Bank Rhode Island is committed to supporting the arts, and we would not miss an opportunity to support such a culturally enriching organization like Festival Ballet Providence."
And GLAD WORKS, the print, web and multi-media ad agency said that they are "proud to be the Official Webmaster of Festival Ballet Providence. As a Rhode Island business and a supporter of the Arts, we've dedicated ourselves to designing and developing a Web site that captures all of the grace, beauty and magic embodied by this world class dance company. It appears that we dance beautifully, together."
Other sponsors include Swarovski, Johnson & Wales University and The Rhode Island Parents Paper.
Reserved tickets and season subscriptions are available by contacting Festival Ballet Providence, 401.353.1129 or by sending email inquiries to info@festivalballet.com. Tickets may also be ordered through Ticketmaster outlets. For additional information about Festival Ballet Providence visit www.festivalballet.com <http://www.festivalballet.com/>
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The Festival Ballet Providence and the Festival Ballet Providence Center for Dance Education are together a not-for-profit arts organization whose EIN is 05-0377245 and whose Rhode Island Corporate ID number is ND-27-137.
25th Anniversary Season Sponsors: as of
9/20/02
WJAR/NBC10 Season Television Sponsor
Providence Journal Company, Principal Sponsor of Giselle
Swarovski, Sponsor, The Nutcracker
Bank RI, Sponsor, The Nutcracker
Textron, Major Supporter and Sponsor of Dance Outreach
GLAD WORKS, Sponsor, Midsummer/World Premieres
Johnson & Wales University, Sponsor of Discover Dance
performances of The Nutcracker
The Rhode Island Parents Paper, co-sponsoring The Nutcracker
