Huntsville Ballet’s 2023/2024 Season marks the convergence of two milestones well worth celebrating: Huntsville Ballet’s 60th anniversary and the 15th season for Artistic Director, Phillip Otto and School Director, Rachel Butler. Having already traveled the world dancing and teaching professionally, Otto and Butler came to Huntsville Ballet in 2008 with a vision of creating a world-class school for dance education and a professional ballet company for the city. “Fifteen years later and with immense support from the community,” Otto said, “we feel that goal has been accomplished. We now have thirteen professional dancers from across the country, and we train over three hundred students in the school. It cannot be overstated - Huntsville Ballet belongs to the community.”
HBC UNPLUGGED October 27, 28, 29, 2023 Dream Theater
Huntsville Ballet opens its 60th season with the family favorite Peter & the Wolf followed by the much anticipated return to the stage of Artistic Director, Phillip Otto’s acclaimed ballet, Amore. In 2019, Otto commissioned local composer Jackson Love to create the Amore score whose individual movements - diamonds, blue topaz, gold, and pearls - symbolize love. The ballet was inspired by the exquisite work of Huntsville’s own renowned artist and philanthropist, Kathy Chan. In 1986, Dr. Chan created the award-winning Amore necklace which features 197 carats of blue topaz pierced with an arrow of diamonds. Each performance concludes with what has become an audience favorite - the opportunity to meet and ask questions of the dancers and directors.
THE NUTCRACKER December 8, 9, 10, 2023 Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
December heralds Huntsville Ballet’s 55th production of The Nutcracker performed with The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. This time honored event has become an enduring part of the holiday season. Tchaikovsky’s iconic score comes to life with Clara and her prince, the magical growing Christmas tree, a blizzard of white snowflakes, dancing flowers, and the lovely Sugar Plum Fairy.
DANCER’S CHOICE IN-STUDIO PERFORMANCES February 22, 23, 24, 2024 HBC Studios
New to our 60th season, the Dancer’s Choice Series gives Huntsville Ballet Company dancers the opportunity to choreograph and perform in genres of their choice. Performing in the small, intimate setting of our studio has proven to create an immersive and interactive experience which allows for conversation between the audience and the dancers and directors.
ACT II OF SWAN LAKE April 18, 19, 20, 2024 Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
The Huntsville Ballet Company takes the stage of the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall in April with the spellbinding second act of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. One of the most iconic ballets of all times, Swan Lake entwines love, magic, and tragedy to tell the story of Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette, the swan maiden who has fallen under the enchantment of the evil Baron Von Rothbart. Only a vow of true love can break the spell. New contemporary works have also been commissioned for the spring performance.
Showtimes and Ticket Information
To purchase season or individual tickets visit www.huntsvilleballet.org/tickets or call 256.539.0961.
About Huntsville Ballet
Patrons from across Alabama and the Tennessee Valley travel to Huntsville to enjoy the artistry of Huntsville Ballet’s thirteen professional dancers, complemented by the work of pre-professional and junior company members and guest artists. Audiences enjoy the art of classical ballet in performances like Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, and The Sleeping Beauty as well as other dance genres featured in newer works such as Stage Door Canteen and The Tumbleweed Suite. Huntsville Ballet’s annual performance of The Nutcracker affords students from Huntsville Ballet School the opportunity to audition and perform alongside the professional company. Huntsville Ballet’s performances and community outreach programs are designed to appeal to a broad audience and bring the art of ballet to everyone from the art lover to those new to the experience. Huntsville Ballet Company and School operate under the umbrella of Community Ballet Association, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit member of the state and local Arts Councils.
