A peek behind the scenes with Paul Gibson
by Sarah Ricard Orza
When Kent Stowell and Francia Russell offered principal dancer Paul Gibson the position of Assistant Ballet Master during their last year as artistic directors of Pacific Northwest Ballet, Paul’s answer was a no-brainer. A self-motivator and perfectionist from a young age, he was well aware that […]
Opening Night View from the Audience – Sarah Ricard Orza
Pacific Northwest Ballet:
Opening Night in New York City
Sarah Orza
My husband Seth Orza and I are expecting our first child, a baby girl, in May. So, on Wednesday night, as PNB returned to New York’s City Center for the first time since 1996, I had the opportunity to watch my […]
All Premiere Insights: Andrew Bartee on Choreographing
My Creative Process
I recently had the realization that I have been working on my piece for ALL PREMIERE for almost a year. I wish that I had realized sooner what a luxury that amount of time was. Not that I misused the time I had, but as opening night draws nearer I’m caring even more about developing […]
Tell The Tale: Don Quixote-Act 1
Act I, Scene I
In Don Quixote’s study, his niece Joanna is talking to Carasco, his servant. They are worried about the Don, who is slowly but surely being driven mad by all his reading. They therefore decide to hide the Don’s books.
Meanwhile, Don Quixote comes into the study, totally […]
The Story of Don Quixote-Act 2
Act II, Scene I
On a plateau in the mountains, a troupe of traveling actors has set up camp. Kitri and Basilio appear and ask the actors to help them escape. While the group performs, Kitri and Basilio put on costumes and join in. When Lorenzo and Gamache arrive at the camp, they are […]
The Story of Don Quixote-Act 3
Act III, Scene I
Kitri and Basilio are enjoying themselves with Espada, Mercedes, and a group of friends in a tavern filled with gypsies, bullfighters, and other high-spirited folk. Kitri thinks she has escaped her forced marriage to Gamache. Unfortunately, it is not so easy, as her […]
A History of Giselle
“In Westphalia, the former Saxony, all is not dead which lies buried. When we wander there through the old oak groves we can hear the voices of the olden time, and the re-echoes of those deeply mysterious magic spells in which there gushes a [great] fullness of life …A mysterious awe thrilled […]
Backstage with the Midsummer Bugs
In this blog, Parent Volunteer Coordinator Di Anna Kurriger talks about life backstage with the youngest dancers in Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
GISELLE…Ballet’s Great Tragedy
The History ~ Since its premiere in 1841, Giselle has become one of the most popular ballets of all time and is considered ballet’s great tragedy. Giselle represents the greatest achievement of ballet’s Romantic era. After it fell out of repertory at the Paris Opera, it returned to the West via Russia […]