Richmond Ballet Explained

Richmond Ballet, State Ballet of Virginia
Founded:1957
Artistic Director:Stoner Winslett
Official School:School of the Richmond Ballet
Location:Richmond, Virginia

Richmond Ballet is a ballet company and 501(c)(3) organization, located in Richmond, Virginia. It was named the State Ballet of Virginia in 1990 by then Governor Douglas Wilder.

Founding

In 1957, the Ballet Impromptu, founded by Robert C. Watkins Jr.[1], Marjorie Fay Underhill,[2] and Donna Comstock Forrest, became Richmond's first ballet company.[3] Later, the Ballet Impromptu became the Richmond Ballet. Richmond Ballet existed for more than twenty years as a small, civic company until 1975, when School of Richmond Ballet was created. In 1980, Stoner Winslett became the founding artistic director Richmond Ballet and developed a professional company of dancers. In 1984, Richmond Ballet became the first professional ballet company in Virginia and was designated the State Ballet of Virginia in 1990, by then Governor Wilder. Richmond Ballet's educational outreach program, Minds In Motion, was founded in 1993. It features a movement curriculum that is taught to 4th graders across Richmond.[4] In 2000, Richmond Ballet moved into a renovated facility in downtown Richmond.[5]

Performances

In his 2011 article on American productions of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, the New York Times' Alastair Macaulay singled out the Richmond Ballet production as one of the best in the country.[6] The company debuted in New York City in 2005 with performances at the Joyce Theater.[7] In October 2013, during the company's 30th season, the Ballet premiered the contemporary work "Phoenix Rising", choreographed by Philip Neal, a former student of School of Richmond Ballet and dancer for 23 years with New York City Ballet. Richmond Ballet returned to The Joyce Theater in April 2007 as part of a tribute to American master choreographer John Butler, and again in 2010. In 2012 Richmond Ballet made its international debut when they traveled to London where they performed in the Linbury Theatre at the Royal Opera House. In 2015, Richmond Ballet embarked on a tour of China. While in China, they performed at the "Meet in Beijing" Arts Festival at the National Centre for the Performing Arts. They also performed in the cities of Jinan, Dezhou, and Shanghai. The Ballet toured to Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in August 2023.[8]

In a typical season, Richmond Ballet presents repertory productions and story ballets, including Stoner Winslett's The Nutcracker to Richmond audiences. They currently perform their Studio Series productions at their Studio Theatre in downtown Richmond and their mainstage productions at Dominion Energy Center.

Commissioned works

Richmond Ballet has commissioned many ballets from choreographers, including

New Work Festival Pieces

School of Richmond Ballet

The School of Richmond Ballet was founded in 1975.[9] They train students ages 4 and up in ballet, with supplemental education in character dance, modern dance, and theatre dance.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Slipek. Edwin. Remembrance: Robert C. Watkins Jr., 1920-2013. Style Weekly. 17 December 2013.
  2. Web site: Obituary for: Marjorie Fay Underhill. Bennett Funeral Homes. 17 December 2013.
  3. News: Carvell. Susan. Reaching Out Through Dance. 17 December 2013. Discover Richmond. 16 August 2009.
  4. https://richmondballet.com/community/overview/
  5. https://richmondballet.com/about/
  6. News: Macaulay. Alastair. 'Nutcracker' Question with Many Answers. 17 December 2013. The New York Times. 2 January 2011.
  7. News: Richmond Ballet at the Joyce. 17 December 2013. BWW. 14 April 2010.
  8. https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/art-theater/richmond-ballet-to-make-its-debut-at-wolf-trap/article_cc3e9e98-2b11-11ee-806b-ebd55ea36c26.html
  9. https://richmondballet.com/about/
  10. https://richmondballet.com/school/

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