Ballet Arkansas Announces Dynamic Program Lineup for Modern Masters Concert, April 21-23, 2023, and its Participation in Nationwide Gerald Arpino Centennial
Ballet Arkansas’s highly anticipated Modern Masters program sponsored by the Stella Boyle Smith Trust, Catherine and Michael Mayton Trustees, will feature live music and works by a number of prominent choreographers, including Gerald Arpino, one of the founders of the world-renowned Joffrey Ballet.
“Modern Masters is a true example of the best dance has to offer. The program will feature works by nationally and internationally celebrated choreographers accompanied by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s Rockefeller String Quartet, featuring Trisha Mcgovern Freeney, Violin; Linnaea Brophy, Violin; Katherine Reynolds, Viola; Jacob Wunsch, Cello. Four choreographers will collaborate to create unique works set to Schubert’s infamous String Quartet #14 - more commonly referred to as “Death and the Maiden.” These works will be complimented by Gerald Arpino’s entracing “Reflections,” originally staged for the Joffrey Ballet in 1976” says Michael Fothergill, Executive and Artistic Director of Ballet Arkansas. “Our presentation of Arpino’s work within the 22|23 season means we will be recognized among other prestigious companies as a part of the Gerald Arpino Centennial, a yearlong celebration of the life and legacy of one of America’s most illustrious choreographers.”
The Arpino Foundation, the official body charged with protecting and licensing Gerald Arpino’s works describes Reflections as “a neoclassical, pure dance ballet and a perfect example of the Arpino style—high lifts, a flying pace, and classic beauty. This fast-paced and physically challenging ballet is set to Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme for Violoncello and Orchestra, op. 33.”
Alongside Reflections, Modern Masters will consist of the following works set to Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden,” played live by the Rockefeller Quartet:
• World Premiere (Presto) by Yuri Yanowsky, former principal dancer of the Boston Ballet, international guest artist, and Artistic Curator of Festival Ballet Providence
• World Premiere (Andante) by Šimon Kubáň, internationally renowned dancer and choreographer and faculty of Prague Chamber Ballet
• World Premiere (Scherzo) by Yoshito Sakuraba, internationally renowned choreographer and award-winning director of Abarukas (NYC)
• Regional Premiere (Allegro) by Yuka Oba-muschiana, freelance choreographer and principal dancer of the Grand Rapids Ballet
“Not only is the program the perfect assimilation of high-profile works, but it is also sentimental in nature,” Fothergill explains. This past December, just before the curtain rose for the ballet’s beloved annual production, the Nutcracker Spectacular at the Robinson Center, Fothergill received devastating news. His beloved dance teacher and longtime mentor, Miyoko Kato-thomas of the Joffrey and Harkness ballet companies, had passed away. Her loss shook the dance world and hit Fothergill hard. He has since dedicated the performances of Modern Masters to Miyoko’s memory, and selected “Reflections,” created during Miyoko’s tenure with the Joffrey, as part of the bill. Former principal dancer and ballet mistress for the Joffrey Ballet, Charthel Estner - a former friend of Miyoko’s, will stage the work on the companythis spring. The concert also reunites Yuka Oba-muschiana with Ballet Arkansas Company Artist, Celeste Lopez-keranen - her former protege while the two danced together at the Grand Rapids Ballet. “Yuka has a graceful and generous presence in the studio, and her warmth transforms the rehearsal process. When creating a new work, Yuka takes a journey with her cast. She knows exactly how to get the most out of the dancers, while inspiring them throughout the process” says,celeste. “I’m excited to work with her again and to introduce Arkansas audiences to the power and beauty of her work.”
Ballet Arkansas will present four public performances at the UA-PTC CHARTS Theater, Friday, April 21st at 7:30 pm, Saturday, April 22nd at 2:30 & 7:30 pm, and Sunday, April 23rd at 2:30 pm. The performance runs approximately 90 minutes with a 15 minute intermission. Tickets start at $30 and are available at www. balletarkansas.org/tickets, by contacting Tututix at 855222-2849 Option 1, and at the door, as available. UA-PTC CHARTS Theater is located at 3000 West Scenic Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72118.
Ballet Arkansas will present one discounted student matinee performance of “Modern Masters’ serving K-12 children across the State, on Friday, April 21st at 10:30am. Student Matinee performances provide educators with an opportunity to share the magic of a live, educational dance performance with their students each season. Each student matinee performance includes a study guide, and a special Q&A with the dancers and Artistic Staff of Ballet Arkansas during intermission, providing a behind the scenes look of the production. Student matinee performance details are available at https:// www.balletarkansas.org/programs-for-k-12-educators.
22|23 Season
Visit www.balletarkansas. org to learn more about the many programs, performances, and special events that line the 22|23 season, and to purchase tickets to all Ballet Arkansas events.
Ranked among the top 100 ballet companies in America by the Dance Data Project, Ballet Arkansas was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in 1979. Over the course of its 44 year history, its world-class education programs and performances have touched the lives of nearly half a million Arkansans. Under the leadership of Michael and Catherine Fothergill, Ballet Arkansas employs a diverse professional company of 15 dancers from across the nation and presents a vibrant repertory of the classics, celebrated works of American dance, and original works by the world's most visionary dance makers. A statewide leader in dance education, Ballet Arkansas produces year-round education programs for children and adults at its downtown Little Rock headquarters and elsewhere across Arkansas. For more information, visit www. balletarkansas.org.