Portland, OR. Oregon Ballet Theater (OBT) has announced it will take a uniquely Portland approach to the month of love with the premiere of Ben Stevenson’s Dracula. It’s based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 gothic novel of the same title. (Photo credit, Kat Luber courtesy Tulsa Ballet). The music is by Franz Liszt and will be performed live by the OBT Orchestra.
Set in the 1800s, the story follows Count Dracula’s fascination with his lawyer’s fiancée, Mina, after losing his beloved wife, Elizabeth, to suicide.
Ben Stevenson, the choreographer of this ballet, has created dozens of full-length ballets for companies in the U.S. and abroad. To create Dracula, Stevenson used the format of the great story ballets of the 19th century.
Here’s more information from OBT:
Dissatisfied with his bevy of undead brides, Count Dracula fixates on Svetlana, a young girl on the cusp of engagement, to satiate his thirst for fresh blood. Abducted by Dracula’s faithful henchman Renfield, Svetlana is dragged away to the Count’s castle from where she may never escape but for the heroism of her true love, Frederick.
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About Oregon Ballet Theatre:
OBT is the largest professional ballet company in Oregon, employing nearly 200 people and attracting artists from around the globe with our reputation for excellence. The company is rooted in the traditions of classical ballet, with a repertoire that ranges from the great classics to premieres from some of the most exciting choreographic voices in the field today. Our mission is dedicated to the vitality of, and access to, world-class ballet performance and training in our region.
Portland, OR. This year’s Oregon Ballet Theatre gala was a tie-in with OBT’s current production. Patrons flocked to the Alice (in Wonder) Ball which featured a Red Queen’s after party. At the event, OBT Dancer Alexa Domenden, Jordan Schnitzer, and OBT Soloist Eva Burton took time to address hundreds of supporters. The benefit at the Portland Art Museum was on February 3rd.
An OBT school student entertains supporters.
Jimmy Crumpacker, Courtney Singer and Rob Goodman
The many guests included Howard Hedinger and to his left Blake and Mark Bruun.
Pink Martini’s China Forbes serenades the crowd.
Denise Stewart, OBT Artist Director Kevin Irving, Steven Stapp
Oregon Ballet Theatre is staging the west coast premiere of a new full-length ballet: Alice (in wonderland). Created in 2012 by Septime Webre with an original score by American composer and violinist Mathew Pierce, The Washington Post called it a “giddy parade, a pop-art dream, a feat of fevered imagination.” The mad adventure is filled to the brim with the delightful characters found in Lewis Carroll’s classics Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, uniquely brought to life with surreal sets, zany costumes, puppetry, and powerfully expressive dance. Alice (in wonderland) is at the Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., obt.org. 7:30 pm Thursday-Saturday, 2 pm Saturday, noon Sunday, though March 4.
Here are some photos from the production:
Alice (in wonderland) is at the Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., obt.org. 7:30 pm Thursday-Saturday, 2 pm Saturday, noon Sunday, though March 4.
From Oregon Ballet Theatre:
Mission Statement
Oregon Ballet Theatre is committed to sharing our passion for the expressive power of ballet, inspiring an enduring appreciation of dance, and connecting in meaningful ways to our community through excellence in performance, training and educational programs.
About OBT
OBT is the largest professional ballet company in Oregon, employing nearly 200 people and attracting artists from around the globe with our reputation for excellence. The company is rooted in the traditions of classical ballet, with a repertoire that ranges from the great classics to premieres from some of the most exciting choreographic voices in the field today. Our mission is dedicated to the vitality of, and access to, world-class ballet performance and training in our region.
Oregon Ballet Theatre seeks to inspire beauty and excellence in the hearts and minds of Oregonians through the creation and preservation of the highest quality classical and contemporary ballet performances. In addition to our 4-show main stage season, we train dancers from 4 years old to 80 years old through the professional and recreational classes at the School of Oregon Ballet Theatre. Many of our students go on to successful professional careers at companies including the Joffrey, the Dutch National Ballet, and within our own organization.
Portland, April 6th, 2013. Portland’s Pure Space was the backdrop for Oregon Ballet Theatre’s gala. Interim Artistic Director Anne Mueller (left) with Patty Warner, Henry Hillman, and OBT Trustee Nancy Frisch enjoyed the night. (photo credit, Travis Nodurft, Studio TEN.)
Gala Co-Chair Sally Ann Hopper (left) and OBT Trustee Angela Polin (right) at OBTâs 2013 Gala âA Night of Passionâ held on Saturday, April 6th at Pure Space. Photo by Travis Nodurft, Studio TEN.
OBT Board Chair Ken Hick (right) and OBT Trustee Cheri Cooley-Hick (left) at OBTâs 2013 Gala âA Night of Passionâ held on Saturday, April 6th at Pure Space. Photo by Travis Nodurft, Studio TEN.
Soloist Candace Bouchard (left) with Sandy Holmes at OBTâs 2013 Gala âA Night of Passionâ held on Saturday, April 6th at Pure Space. Photo by Travis Nodurft, Studio TEN.
Soloists Candace Bouchard and Brian Simcoe perform Anne Mueller’s “Heartaches” to the music of Patsy Cline at OBTâs 2013 Gala âA Night of Passionâ held on Saturday, April 6th at Pure Space. Photo by Travis Nodurft, Studio TEN.
From OBT:
Oregon Ballet Theatre (OBT) is rising quickly on the national scene. Established in 1989, OBT’s celebrated company of dancers performs an annual five-program season at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts and also conducts both regional and national tours.
Under Founding Artistic Director James Canfield, a former principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet, OBT developed a unique repertoire and distinctive style. With a firm foundation in classical technique, the company’s dance inventory grew to comprise over 80 ballets including evening-length classics, 20th-Century masterpieces and innovative contemporary works.
In 2003, following a distinguished, 16-year career as a principal dancer with San Francisco Ballet, Christopher Stowell became Oregon Ballet Theatre’s second Artistic Director. The son of Pacific Northwest Ballet Founding Artistic Directors Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, Mr. Stowell possesses an impressive ballet lineage. His extensive training and experience, deep knowledge of the repertoire, and dedication to the discipline’s exacting classical and contemporary vocabulary are all reflected in his programming.
During his tenure, Mr. Stowell added the work of Sir Frederick Ashton, Jerome Robbins, William Forsythe, Lar Lubovitch and Christopher Wheeldon to the OBT repertoire, and significantly expanded the company’s inventory of George Balanchine ballets. He also commissioned new works by renowned contemporary choreographers James Kudelka, Trey McIntyre, Yuri Possokhov, Julia Adam and Nicolo Fonte. In addition, Mr. Stowell created 10 ballets on OBT’s dancers, including the company’s first full-length production of Swan Lake (2006), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2007), The Sleeping Beauty (2010) and Carmen (2011).
Anne Mueller assumed the role of Interim Artistic Director on December 24th, 2012, following Christopher Stowell’s resignation. Mueller has been with OBT since 1996. She retired from dancing in 2011 following a stellar career as a Principal Dancer.
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