“The Nutcracker is more than a ballet, it’s a tradition that connects generations,” said Tim O’Keefe, TBT Artistic Director. “Each year, our students get to share the stage with our company dancers and experience the joy of performing for thousands of audience members. Watching their excitement and growth throughout the season is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.”

This year’s production features nearly 200 student dancers from TBT’s schools across Dallas, Fort Worth, and Richardson. The students will perform alongside TBT’s professional company members in over 30 performances total between Dallas and Fort Worth. Each show will include approximately 40 student performers, who bring to life beloved characters such as party children, mice, rats, angels, cooks, and clowns, adding youthful energy and spirit to every performance.

Photo courtesy of TBT

“Performing in The Nutcracker gives our students an unparalleled opportunity to learn from TBT’s professional company,” said Lyndette Galen, TBT Richardson School Principal. “Our students gain invaluable stage experience, discipline, and confidence, skills that extend far beyond the studio. Seeing their hard work come to life onstage is truly inspiring.”

PERFORMANCE DETAILS
The Nutcracker performances will take place Nov. 28-Dec. 7 at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas and Dec. 12-28 at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the TBT Box Office at 877-828-9200.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS
Throughout the holiday season, TBT will host several festive family-friendly events to share the magic of The Nutcracker beyond the stage.

Photo courtesy of TBT

Kingdom of Sweets: Prior to the 2 p.m. matinee performances
Families and children with tickets to the 2 p.m. matinee performances are invited to the Kingdom of Sweets for an up-close look at the ballet. Visit the Interactive Ballet area from 1-2 p.m. to touch a tutu, hold a pointe shoe, and meet a real ballerina.

Ugly Sweater Contests: Dec. 4 at the Winspear Opera House and Dec. 18 at Bass Performance Hall
TBT encourages The Nutcracker attendees to celebrate the season with tacky holiday apparel. Enter the Ugly Sweater Contest by checking in with a staff member at the TBT reception booth in the theater lobby between 6-7 p.m. One winner will be selected in each city to receive two tickets to TBT’s May production of Swan Lake.

Photo courtesy of TBT

Sugar Plum Fairy Tea: Dec. 7 at The Adolphus Hotel
As a true multi-generational experience, the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea is brimming with delights for everyone—whimsical crafts, enchanting entertainment, delicious holiday fare, and, of course, visits from beloved The Nutcracker characters. From toddlers to grandparents, every guest will find a touch of magic waiting just for them. Tickets are available for purchase online.

Adaptive Nutcracker Experience: Dec. 4 at TBT’s Richardson School (300 North Coit Road, Suite 231, Richardson, TX 75080)
TBT will host a sensory-friendly Adaptive Nutcracker Experience, designed for children ages 5-12 years old with Down syndrome, autism, or a similar diagnosis. During this one-time event, children will enjoy a Nutcracker-themed story time and craft, followed by a special performance from TBT professional training division students featuring excerpts from The Nutcracker. Please email community@texasballet.com for more information or to register. Tickets are $20 per child.

The post Texas Ballet Theater Bring Holiday Magic to Life first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Last performed by the nonprofit ballet company in 2015, Dracula follows the legendary vampire as he wreaks horror and destruction on his unwitting victims. The production features elaborate sets and special effects such as flying and pyrotechnics.

The ballet is an audience favorite choreographed by TBT Artistic Director Laureate Ben Stevenson, O.B.E. When he originally choreographed the ballet in 1997, a familiar face danced the titular role – TBT’s current Artistic Director, Tim O’Keefe.

Alexandra F. Light and Carl Coomer
photo credit: Steven Visneau

“I am thrilled TBT is opening our season with Artistic Director Laureate Ben Stevenson’s Dracula. This is one of Ben’s best ballets and a must-see production,” O’Keefe said. “Having danced in the original production, I look forward to working with Ben on restaging and coaching our dancers in bringing this classically beautiful and eerie ballet to the stage.”

Dracula is suitable for mature audiences. Individual tickets range from $20 to $125. Patrons can purchase tickets online at https://texasballettheater.org/performance/dracula-2023/ or by contacting the Box Office at 877-828-9200 option 1.

The post Dracula to Open Texas Ballet Theater’s Season first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

The family-friendly ballet follows the storyline of Lewis Carroll’s book of the same name. Choreographed by TBT Artistic Director Laureate Ben Stevenson, O.B.E., Alice in Wonderland features an element that’s uncommon for ballet – dialogue.

Paige Nyman; pc Steven Visneau

“Alice opens the story with dialogue and continues to further the story with the spoken word,” TBT Acting Artistic Director Tim O’Keefe said. “This is a unique challenge for the dancers, who are used to expressing themselves through movement. The dialogue is both an exciting venture for the dancers and another layer of storytelling for the audience.”

The nonprofit ballet company will present eight performances of Alice in Wonderland, four in Dallas and four in Fort Worth. The ballet is approximately 90 minutes long and includes one, 20-minute intermission.

Carolyn Judson and Andre Silva; pc Steven Visneau

Tickets start at $20. Patrons can purchase tickets online at texasballettheater.org or by calling the Box Office Monday-Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, at 877-828-9200 option 1.

The post Go Down the Rabbit Hole with Texas Ballet Theater first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the first new, full-length ballet Stevenson has choreographed since joining the nonprofit ballet company in 2003. The last full-length ballet he created was Cleopatra, choreographed in 2000 while Stevenson was Artistic Director at Houston Ballet.

“I’m so happy to work with the talented dancers of our Company while creating this full-length ballet,” Stevenson said. “I am working to make a whimsical and magical production that will enchant the audience.”

The ballet is based on Shakespeare’s story of the same name and will feature sets designed by famed theatrical costume and set designer David Walker.

Carolyn Judson, photo by Steven Visneau

The production is noteworthy for another reason: 19-year veteran Company Dancer Carolyn Judson will retire after the ballet’s run. She will originate the role of Titania, one of the lead characters in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Patrons may recognize Judson from her leading roles in many TBT ballets, including The Nutcracker and this season’s performances of Star Crossed and George Balanchine’s Serenade.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is family-friendly and has a run time of approximately two hours. Patrons can purchase tickets by visiting the website or calling the Box Office at 877-828-9200 option 1. Current COVID-19 safety policies encourage patrons to wear masks in the theaters, and policies are subject to change based on the public health landscape at the time of performances.

The post A Midsummer World Premiere first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Photo courtesy of Texas Ballet Theater School

Recently, I sat down with Yvonne Leffel, Administrative Director of Schools for Texas Ballet Theater, and Mary Ashley Ray, Texas Ballet Theater’s Marketing and Communications Specialist, to talk about TBTS’s summer programs. While TBTS is well-known in the Metroplex as THE place for aspiring dancers to receive pre-professional training, their summer programs are designed for dancers of all abilities from age three through high school.

Photo courtesy of Texas Ballet Theater School

For your little dancer, Ballet Basics provides a wonderful introduction to the world of ballet. Boys and girls, ages three to six, will enjoy crafts, story times, and choreography that correlates to each week’s theme. This summer, TBT School will take your children on an Icy Adventure or Around the World while teaching your child the fundamentals of ballet. The classes run from 9 am to 12 pm, and each week ends with a performance showcase for family. As Mary Ashley said, “If you’re not sure your child is ready to commit to a full semester of ballet, Ballet Basics is the place for them!”

Photo courtesy of Texas Ballet Theater School

If your child has realized that they love to dance and is ready to learn more about the world of dance, TBT School offers two Intensive programs this summer. The Young Dancer Intensive (ages seven to 9) and the Junior Intensive (ages ten to fourteen) allow dancers to explore other genres of dance, such as jazz, modern, tap, Broadway, as well as a deeper dive into the fundamentals of ballet. The Junior Intensive is divided into two divisions; these are based on the dancer’s class level during the school year.

The Intensive programs are designed to improve your dancer’s artistic and technical skills between semesters. (TBTS offers a multi-week discount for those who want to take more than a single week’s Intensive.) The Intensive programs are open to students from other schools, as well, for as Yvonne said, “The more people you learn from, the more techniques you’re exposed to, the better you become as a dancer.”

Photo courtesy of Texas Ballet Theater School

Finally, if your child has realized that they want to pursue dance beyond high school, TBT School offers the Summer Intensive for ages twelve and up. This audition-only, ballet-focused program is inspired by the Royal Academy of Dance and is a concentrated program taught by TBT School’s master faculty. To learn more, go to www.texasballettheater.org/summer-intensive/.

When I asked Yvonne and Mary Ashley to explain what sets TBT School’s summer programs apart from other summer dance programs, Yvonne was quick to reply, “Our faculty!” She explained, “Many of our teachers are former dancers or members of the TBT company. Leticia Olivera, the principal of the Fort Worth school, is a former principal dancer with the Houston Ballet and TBT. Having members of our company as teachers really fosters the connection between the school and the professional company and allows our students to see what a career as a dancer is like.”

TBTS health and safety policies follow the CDC’s suggestions. As of now, masks are strongly encouraged but are not required. This policy is subject to change.

So if you have a child who loves to dance, be they a beginner or more advanced, Texas Ballet Theater School’s summer programs are for them!

For more information, visit www.texasballettheater.org/summer-programs/

For the complete summer schedules for both Fort Worth and Dallas, lclick on the schedules below. 

2022 FW summer schedule updated 02.21.22

2022 DAL summer schedule updated 02.18.22

If you are ready to register, click here for the registration page.

The post A Summer of Dance with Texas Ballet Theater first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.