Fall performances show growth in artistry

"This young company is growing its signature speed, vitality, beautiful lines and spot-on musicality across genres from the ground up in the tradition of Balanchine." Quoted from the October 21 issue of NUVO about the October 18th performance at Indianapolis' ArtsGarden, this statement just about says it all! The dancers have been working through the flu and we're proud of the way they have hung in there. We're also so thrilled for those who stepped in to roles on which they had not had much rehearsal time, and excelled in the process. To read the entire article visit www.nuvo.net/arts/article/ballet-beyond. Pictured here is a moment captured at the earlier Penrod performance of "Blue Metallica", choreographed on our dancers by Scott Jovovich.

Also pictured in our studios, Indiana University's Distinguished Professor of Ballet Violette Verdy came to the school and gave a terrific masterclass on September 27th. We have several master classes in planning stages and will post that information when they are confirmed.

On October 10th, a large group from ISB traveled to Bloomington to see the Indiana University Ballet Theater present "A Diaghilev Tribute". In addition to two versions of Balanchine's Valse Fantasie (juxtaposed in a very interesting way demonstrating the evolution of a work) and a new work by Michael Vernon, they gave a brilliant performance of the powerful Les Noces (music by Stravinsky, choreography by Nijinska). It was a wonderful field trip for our dancers, and a perfect opportunity to see some celebrated works.

This past weekend, ISB Artistic Director Victoria Lyras traveled to Philadelphia for the Pennsylvania Ballet's Gala celebrating the 30th anniversary of Artistic Director Roy Kaiser's tenure with the company. He began his career there as a dancer before taking on the Artistic Director position. Mr. Kaiser was a partner of Ms. Lyras during her career with the Pennsylvania Ballet, and now also serves on the ISB Artistic Advisory Board.

Rehearsals for The Nutcracker have begun in earnest.  You'll be able to see a preview of several pieces from Act Two at our next appearance in the lovely downtown performance space of the Indianapolis ArtsGarden (attached to the Circle Center Mall and the Conrad Hotel). This FREE program on November 22 at 3 PM, entitled Nutcracker Sweets, will showcase excerpts from the full-length ballet.

Tickets are also now on sale for our December 18-20 run of The Nutcracker at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Log onto www.indyballet.org to buy tickets. Don't wait too long, though. The best seats go fast!