From the Artistic Director

Welcome to the world premiere of Ballet West’s Family Classics Series, The Glass Slipper. We are thrilled to be back in the theater performing live and happy to be presenting this original work by Ballet West’s Principal Rehearsal Director Pamela Robinson Harris who has created the charming ballet based on the beloved Cinderella fairy tale. Presented with one intermission and running less than 90 minutes with a narrator to explain the action, it is a wonderful way for you and your family to get back into the theater and experience live performance. We are also excited to be presenting this program in both English and Spanish to be able to serve as many people in our community as we can. For this run, the Spanish narration will be presented on Saturday evening April 24. I began Ballet West’s Family Classics Series in Salt Lake City in 2012 as a way to engage children and their families with the art form of ballet. The mission for this series is to bring the exciting world of ballet and theater to a new generation. Attending a live performance is an experience like no other. Ballet is a unique and dynamic art form that encompasses dance, music, art, athletics, storytelling, and all aspects of theater. It can transport us to another world, and it can take us away from the pressures of our daily lives. Pamela Robinson Harris has done a brilliant job bringing out the layers that this score and story invoke. At times comedic and silly, then grand and romantic, The Glass Slipper is infused with a longing and uncertainty that each of us can connect to in a way that elevates this story from a simple fairytale to a profound statement on humanity. Our design team has created a fanciful set that reveals the magic of Cinderella’s world—magic that we hope will be felt by all young people who dare to dream. Indeed, this story ends quite simply with a dream of hope. This past year has been one of uncertainty and challenge, and we are grateful all of you have chosen to join us and support Ballet West. I wish everyone joy and happiness as our world slowly re-opens.

Adam Sklute Artistic Director Ballet West

Les doy la bienvenida al estreno mundial de la serie Clásicos Familiares de Ballet West: La Zapatilla de Cristal (The Glass Slipper). Estamos encantados de regresar en vivo al escenario, y felices de presentar esta obra original de la Directora Principal de Ensayo de Ballet West, Pamela Robinson Harris, quien ha creado este encantador ballet basado en el querido cuento de hadas de Cenicienta. Presentado con un intermedio y con una duración de menos de 90 minutos con un narrador para explicar la acción, este ballet es una manera maravillosa para que usted y su familia regresen al teatro para una experiencia en vivo. También estamos emocionados de presentar este programa tanto en inglés como en español para poder servir a la mayor cantidad posible de personas en nuestra comunidad. La narración en español se presenta la noche del sábado 24 de abril. Comencé la serie de Clásicos Familiares de Ballet West en Salt Lake City en 2012 como una forma de involucrar a niñas y niños y a sus familias con el arte del ballet. La misión de esta serie es llevar el apasionante mundo del ballet y el teatro a una nueva generación. Asistir al ballet en vivo es una experiencia sin igual. El ballet es una forma de arte única y dinámica que abarca la danza, la música, el arte, el atletismo, la narración de historias y todos los aspectos del teatro. Puede transportarnos a otro mundo, lejos de las presiones de la vida diaria. Pamela Robinson Harris ha hecho un trabajo brillante al resaltar las diferentes dimensiones de la música y de esta historia. A veces cómica, luego grandiosa y romántica, La Zapatilla de Cristal está llena de un anhelo e incertidumbre con los que podemos conectarnos de una manera que eleva esta historia de un simple cuento de hadas a una profunda declaración sobre la humanidad. Nuestro equipo de diseño ha creado escenografía fantástica que revela la magia del mundo de Cenicienta, una magia que esperamos sea sentida por todas y todos quienes se atreven a soñar. De hecho, esta historia termina simplemente con un sueño de esperanza. Este año pasado ha estado lleno de incertidumbre y desafío, y estamos agradecidos de que ustedes hayan elegido unirse a nosotros y apoyar a Ballet West. Les deseo alegría y felicidad a medida que nuestro mundo se reabre lentamente.

Adam Sklute Director Artístico, Ballet West

Since 2007, Adam Sklute has expanded Ballet West’s outlook, repertoire, and visibility with exciting Company and world premieres, increased touring, heightened public exposure, and greater focus on the Ballet West Academy. He began his career with The Joffrey Ballet, rising through the ranks from dancer to Associate Director. His stewardship of Ballet West has been marked by both financial growth and elevated artistry, and was the subject of The CW Network’s docu-drama, Breaking Pointe, which aired for two seasons. From September 2016 to October 2017, Sklute took on the dual position of CEO and Artistic Director overseeing both administrative and artistic operations of Ballet West. An internationally sought after teacher and adjudicator, Sklute has received numerous awards, including Utah’s Enlightened 50 (2014), The Bronze Minuteman Award for Outstanding Service to Utah and The Nation (2015), and most recently Utah Diversity Connection’s Business Award for outstanding commitment to diversity initiatives.