Grand Rapids Ballet will begin its virtual 2020-21 season with four new programs starting Nov. 13.
“I am proud to present a season unlike any other in our 49-year history,” said James Sofranko, GR Ballet artistic director. “While we will miss the exhilaration of performing in a theater for a live audience, we are excited to present our art in a new way, delivered virtually to you in the comfort of your own home. Not only will this season include four programs specifically created for the screen, but subscribers will also be given exclusive opportunities to engage with our artists and be immersed in the creative process.”
The season is as follows:
Nov. 13-14: Business as (un)usual – The show will feature Princess Grace-award winner and Beyoncé choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie, a collaboration with Sofranko violinist Gene Hahn, company dancer Yuka Oba-Muschiana, Christopher Stowell’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” pas de deux from the postponed 2019-20 season featuring the music of Felix Mendelssohn, works by Resident Choreographer Penny Saunders and company dancers Gretchen Steimle and Matthew Wenckows.
Dec. 18-27: The Nutcracker Experience – The holiday performance will feature choreography by Val Caniparoli and the musical accompaniment of the Grand Rapids Symphony. Guests can also enjoy their favorite on-stage moments, behind-the-scenes interviews, rehearsals and more.
March 2021 (dates to be announced): Collective Force – The event will feature choreographers Saunders, Danielle Rowe, Adam Hougland, Jennifer Archibald, Amy Seiwert, Edwaard Liang, Katarzyna Skarpetowska and Trey McIntyre on stage. Sofranko also will present new work featuring the music of Michigan-based cellist Jordan Hamilton.
April 2021 (dates to be announced): Jumpstart: on film – The program will be choreographed by the dancers of Grand Rapids Ballet. The program also will provide an opportunity to explore a new layer of creativity and expression: filmmaking.
Season subscriptions will be available at two different levels, which includes patron for $100 and patron plus for $200.
Patron will include access to streaming video of all four programs, first chance to purchase in-person tickets if available, and pre-show creative artist talk videos for each program.
Patron plus will include access to streaming video of all four programs, access to Grand Rapids Symphony’s live video stream from Van Andel Arena of Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo & Juliet” featuring Grand Rapids Ballet dancers, first chance to purchase in-person tickets if available, pre-show creative artist talk videos for each program, additional audio commentary for each virtual program by the artistic director and/or dancers, exclusive live “sneak peek” opportunities to view morning ballet class and company rehearsals, Zoom meet-and-greet with a dancer, and limited access to past performance videos throughout the year.
Patrons who subscribed to the original 2020-21 season prior to the pandemic will get the new patron package at no charge. They also will be subscribed to the 2021-22 season at no additional charge or loss of preferred seating.
For more information, including new subscriptions, visit grballet.com/2021season.
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