Artistic Director’s Notebook: Kent Stowell’s Swan Lake

Just over twenty years ago, in September 2003, a theater called Marion Oliver McCaw Hall opened in Seattle. Built on the site of the Seattle Opera House, which dated back to the 1962 World’s Fair, the new hall was the realization of years of dreaming, planning, fundraising, and building. With Seattle Symphony’s recent relocation to Benaroya Hall, McCaw Hall was tailored to the needs of its two primary tenants, Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet. After a joint gala celebrating the new digs and the dawn of a new era for each arts organization, PNB offered another unveiling – a completely redesigned version of Kent Stowell’s Swan Lake.

2024-01-29T09:07:04-08:00January 29th, 2024|Categories: Director's Notebook, Performances|Tags: , , , , , , , |Comments Off on Artistic Director’s Notebook: Kent Stowell’s Swan Lake

Dan Williams, PNB’s Principal Oboist, on Swan Lake

The first notes of Swan Lake's enduring score are played by the oboe. The instrument features prominently throughout the ballet; in fact, those first five notes are inverted to begin the Swan Lake theme. Today on the blog, we sit down with PNB's Principal Oboist Dan Williams to learn more about his perspective on Swan Lake, PNB's Orchestra, and playing the oboe!

2024-01-26T10:43:30-08:00January 25th, 2024|Categories: Q&A with Dancers, Choreographers & Staff|Tags: , , |Comments Off on Dan Williams, PNB’s Principal Oboist, on Swan Lake

Pacific Northwest Ballet Principal Dancer James Yoichi Moore Announces Retirement

Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancer James Yoichi Moore has announced that after a 20-year career with the company, he is retiring at the end of PNB’s 2023-24 season. Moore joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in 2004 and was promoted to soloist in 2008 and principal in 2013. His two decades with the company will be celebrated at the Season Encore Performance, Sunday, June 9 at McCaw Hall.

2024-01-23T13:38:17-08:00January 23rd, 2024|Categories: Dancer Announcements, Dancers|Tags: , , |Comments Off on Pacific Northwest Ballet Principal Dancer James Yoichi Moore Announces Retirement

5 Reasons Why Swan Lake is a Ballet Classic

Swan Lake is one of the most popular ballets of all time. It premiered in Moscow in 1877 and was met with a lukewarm reception. Despite its humble beginnings, this ballet continued to be performed, and in the 21st century, it’s frankly iconic! Read on to learn five reasons why this ballet is a must-see.

2024-01-24T16:56:20-08:00January 16th, 2024|Categories: Performances|Tags: , |Comments Off on 5 Reasons Why Swan Lake is a Ballet Classic

Swan Lake: A Pop Culture Darling

Over the last century, Swan Lake has become a quintessential ballet pop culture reference. Its iconic score, choreography, and costumes are synonymous with ballet performance and easily recognizable to anyone with even a casual ballet knowledge. While the 2010 film Black Swan may be the first to spring to mind, there are many examples from the last 100 years. Check out this blog to watch just a few!

2024-01-09T10:48:01-08:00January 9th, 2024|Categories: Performances|Tags: , |Comments Off on Swan Lake: A Pop Culture Darling

Swan Lake Programs Through the Years

When Swan Lake premiered at Pacific Northwest Ballet in 1981, PNB was a small, relatively unknown company. Over 40 years later, Kent Stowell's Swan Lake has been enjoyed by thousands of audience members and is still a PNB favorite. Take a look at PNB's 14 Swan Lake programs through the years, and let us know which one is your number one pick! 

2024-01-03T12:07:38-08:00January 5th, 2024|Categories: Performances|Tags: , , |Comments Off on Swan Lake Programs Through the Years

Learn about Swan Lake Costume Designer Paul Tazewell

Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, costume designer Paul Tazewell was interested in theater and performance as early as second grade. Now, he's at the top of his career with Tony and Emmy awards. Paul designed the costumes for Hamilton, West Side Story, and PNB's very own Swan Lake! Read more about him and his process here.

2023-12-29T10:18:38-08:00December 29th, 2023|Categories: Performances, PNB Wardrobe|Tags: , , |Comments Off on Learn about Swan Lake Costume Designer Paul Tazewell

Nutcracker Grow Ups!

Performing in The Nutcracker is a rite of passage for many young dancers and something they look forward to each December. From Polichinelles to Party Children, see how Pacific Northwest Ballet Company dancers began their lifelong journey of dancing in The Nutcracker!

The Man Behind the Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

George Balanchine once said that Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's music made him fall in love with ballet, and many ballet lovers echo Balanchine’s sentiment. To this day, some of PNB’s most popular ballets (Swan Lake and The Nutcracker) are set to Tchaikovsky’s music. Read on to learn about Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s turbulent life and his iconic ballets!

2023-12-11T13:10:56-08:00December 11th, 2023|Categories: Performances, The Nutcracker|Tags: , , , , , |Comments Off on The Man Behind the Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Nutcracker Costumes Close-Up Game

Each Nutcracker costume is full of delicious details! Some ballet fans might feel they know this holiday classic like the back of their hand. Well, today on the blog, we're here to test that knowledge! Can you identify these seven Nutcracker costumes by their close-up photos?

2023-12-07T13:11:51-08:00December 7th, 2023|Categories: Performances, PNB Wardrobe, The Nutcracker|Tags: , |Comments Off on Nutcracker Costumes Close-Up Game
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