As the hints of mid-summer weather start to be felt, along comes George Balanchine’s enchanting production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This production is unique to PNB, not in choreography, but in the wondrous set and costume designs created for us by Martin Pakledinaz. Marty chose designs elements that were particular to the […]
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s 2011 production of Giselle has been staged by PNB artistic director Peter Boal, based in part on primary sources from Paris and St. Petersburg, with the assistance of dance historians Marian Smith and Doug Fullington. In 2014, new scenery and costumes designed by Jérôme Kaplan will be added to the production.
Recently, during a rare photo shoot in Pacific Northwest Ballet’s studios, the work of three exceptional artists–principal dancer Kaori Nakamura, costume designer Jérôme Kaplan, and photographer Angela Sterling–produced these striking images.
The shoot was an ideal opportunity to showcase Kaori Nakamura’s artistry in anticipation of the conclusion of her brilliant, 17-year performing career with the […]
ACT I – A forest near Athens, one Midsummer eve
The First Act takes place in a forest near the duke’s palace. Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Titania, his queen, quarrel over the Indian child they both want. Oberon orders Puck to bring the flower pierced by Cupid’s arrow (which […]
It is uncommon for performing ballerinas to be moms–let alone at the peak of their career. Many ballerinas retire from dancing to start a family, or choose not to have children. But PNB soloist Sarah Ricard Orza is one of today’s current ballerinas changing the status quo. Last May, Sarah and her husband, […]
Anyone sitting in the audience for one of principal dancer Lesley Rausch’s recent performances as Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty was in for a real treat. Ms. Rausch and her partner, fellow PNB principal dancer Karel Cruz, filled the three-hour long production with exceptional dancing and pure ballet magic. Here’s a quick […]
Last Friday, PNB raised the curtain on Ronald Hynd’s enchanting production of The Sleeping Beauty. This will be the 5th time PNB has presented the ballet since we acquired it from the English National Ballet in 2001. Here are a few interesting facts about this production that you may not know:
Over the next two weeks, principal dancer Rachel Foster and corps de ballet dancer Leta Biasucci will share a professional milestone—both women will debut as Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty. Performing the role well requires exceptional artistry and mastery of classical ballet technique. I caught up with Rachel and Leta between rehearsals this week […]
Seattle, WA – Before the start of this evening’s opening night performance of The Sleeping Beauty, Pacific Northwest Ballet Artistic Director Peter Boal stepped out in front of the curtains to make a special announcement. “It gives me great pleasure to announce five well-deserved promotions.” To hearty rounds of applause, Mr. Boal informed […]
You might be surprised to learn about all that goes into presenting a performance of The Sleeping Beauty. For the performers, step one is the casting, which I do in September and again in November. After my first two passes, the ballet masters and the head of the Costume […]