Huntsville Ballet announces its performance of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and the debut of the newly formed Huntsville Ballet Orchestra
Performances are scheduled for April 19-21 at the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall. Tickets on sale now.
Director Phillip Otto of HBC’s recent performances. Huntsville Ballet’s April production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake will be the culmination of a truly collaborative effort among some of North Alabama's most respected centers for artistic excellence. The production will feature an original narrated script, projection and set design by UAH, and the debut of the newly formed Huntsville Ballet Orchestra. The Orchestra will be comprised of musicians from the greater Huntsville area led by Dr. C. David Ragsdale, current Dean of Arts and Sciences at Athens State University. The UAH Theater Department headed by David Harwell is also a key collaborator designing sets, projection, and advising on every aspect of the production. Former Huntsville Ballet School faculty member, now writer, Dawn Crouch has written an original script to be narrated as the story unfolds. “It is humbling to see artists and musicians from within the community come together to support Huntsville Ballet Company. There have been many interpretations of Tchaikovsky’s first ballet, Swan Lake produced around the world since 1877. Together with our community partners, our aim is to present an exciting interpretation of this time-honored love story.” said Otto.
Showtimes and Ticket Information
- Friday, April 19 - 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, April 20 - 2:00 p.m.
- Saturday, April 20 - 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, April 21 - 1:00 p.m.
For tickets, visit www.huntsvilleballet.org/tickets, by phone at 256.539.0961, or by email at [email protected]. Tickets start at $33.
About Artistic Director Phillip Otto
This year marks Phillip Otto’s 15th season as Artistic Director for Huntsville Ballet. Born in New York, Mr. Otto trained at the School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre School, and the Joffrey School, among others. As a child, Mr. Otto was a member of the Metropolitan Opera's Children's Chorus and danced with New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, London's Royal Ballet, the Stuttgart Ballet, and the Bolshoi Ballet. As an adult, Mr. Otto danced principal and soloist roles with Milwaukee Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet.
About Dr. C. David Ragsdale
Dr. Ragsdale is the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Athens State University where he oversees academic programs and faculty in the visual and performing arts, humanities and social sciences, behavioral and health sciences, and mathematical, computer and natural sciences. Additionally Dr. Ragsdale sits on the Board of Directors for ArtsHuntsville, the Board of Trustees for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, is a trained Visiting Evaluator for the National Association of Schools of Music, and has twice served on the President’s Cabinet of the Alabama Music Educators Association.
About David Harwell
David Harwell is a native of Huntsville and a graduate of Grissom High School. He earned a B.F.A. in Theatre from the University of Montevallo and an M.F.A. in Scene Design and Technology from the University of
Illinois, Champaign/Urbana. After relocating to Boston, he worked at the Huntington Theatre Company, the
New England Conservatory of Music, and the Boston Lyric Opera. Following many seasons of regional theatre,
David moved to New York City where he worked at Playwrights Horizons, Second Stage, and the Roundabout Theatre Company, to name a few. In 1999, he joined the Production Design Group winning a Daytime Emmy for his work with production designer Jim Fenhagen on PBS’ Between the Lions.
About Dawn Crouch
Dawn C. Crouch is a New Orleans native and a former faculty member of Huntsville Ballet School. In addition, she is an optioned screenwriter and the author of three fiction novels, plus Garage Ballet™, a series of popular instructional books that share insights from her experience as both a dancer and teacher.
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 such as 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 form to everyone from the seasoned ballet 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.