PNB Blog
The Inspiration for Black Wave; Notes from Choreographer Jessica Lang
Choreographer Jessica Lang is busy in PNB’s studios putting the finishing touches on Black Wave, her first work as PNB’s resident choreographer. Jessica’s work for PNB is both thought-provoking and emotionally moving, and Black Wave is no different. Click to learn about Jessica’s unique inspirations for this piece.
Executive Director’s Notes: THE TIMES ARE RACING
Welcome to the fall arts season in Seattle and PNB’s first repertory program of our performing year. We hope that with this program, and the rest of our 2024/25 season, you encounter the warmest welcome from PNB and experience the universal connection and sense of well-being that ballet can so often provide. We deeply appreciate your support and presence in our community – from all of us at PNB, thank you for joining us.
Artistic Director’s Notebook: THE TIMES ARE RACING
Welcome to the first program of the new season. What a season it promises to be with the unveiling of our much-anticipated new production of The Sleeping Beauty, the return of Roméo et Juliette, and three world premieres. There are also plenty of fan favorites like Crystal Pite’s Emergence, Jerome Robbins’ Afternoon of a Faun, Marco Goecke’s Mopey, and Twyla Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs. The excitement starts right here – right now, with Rep I!
Back-to-School Season at PNB
It’s back-to-school season at PNB! This school year, PNB will provide many ways to experience dance, from our new audio-described performances to our Dance for PD classes. Click to read about our various offerings this fall.
Diving Deeper with New Works: A conversation with Resident Choreographer Jessica Lang
Pacific Northwest Ballet's New Works Initiative has been an important part of realizing the Company's artistic vision since 2005. Countless choreographers, including Donald Byrd, Edwaard Liang, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Robyn Mineko Williams, Justin Peck, Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, and Twyla Tharp have created new ballets through this initiative. This season, after several successful creations for the company, Jessica Lang becomes PNB's newest Resident Choreographer for the next three seasons. Her work for the company has always been richly layered and deliciously complex. We sat down with Lang to discuss her residency and her new work.
Announcing New PNB Faculty Member Kurt Froman
Pacific Northwest Ballet School has announced that Kurt Froman has been hired to lead the School’s Men’s Division. An accomplished and highly respected teacher and mentor with dancing careers at New York City Ballet and on Broadway, Mr. Froman was the resident choreographer of the Broadway show Billy Elliot, The Musical, training and coaching the young actors in the title role. At PNB School, Mr. Froman will teach, support, and mentor the School’s male-identifying students, and serve as a liaison with students’ families.
From Screen to Stage – The Veil Between Worlds Creation Process
The Veil Between Worlds has a curious program note: “premiere June 10, 2021; Pacific Northwest Ballet (digital release).” This ballet was originally created, filmed, and shown during PNB’s 2020/21 Digital Season. Much like the inspiration for the work, The Veil Between Worlds has lived many lives; the piece has been performed on the screen and on the stage! The poignant piece’s creation process has been “quite the journey,” says Liang. Read on to dive deep into The Veil Between Worlds’ unique creation process!
Nutcracker Meme-able Moments
PNB's production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is the Northwest’s favorite festive tradition, featuring Tchaikovsky’s classic score, gorgeous costumes, intricate scenery, impressive performances, and so much more! Amidst all the sparkle and joy, we've found some silly, meme-worthy moments in the ballet. Check out this blog to swipe through different Nutcracker scenes and reveal their corresponding meme!
Q&A with Nancy Crowley, PNB’s New Family Matinee Rehearsal Director
PNB Faculty member Nancy Crowley starts a new role as PNB’s Family Matinee Rehearsal Director this fall! Nancy begins her position by directing PNB School students preparing to perform Beauty and the Beast in March. Read on to learn more about Nancy, her dance career, and her new position with PNB.