UNLOCKED
Oct. 17 – Nov. 3
By Louisa May Alcott
and Directed by Jessica Robblee
Enemy of the People
By Henrik Ibsen
Nov. 8 – 17
By Michael Hollinger
By Sean Daniels
Adapted by Mark Ragan
Adapted
Dedicated to the Health of Our Community
Whole person care close to home
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AdventHealth Avista is designated as an Advanced Orthopedic and Spine Center of Excellence by DNV
AdventHealth Avista is proud to be recognized as one of America’s highest-rated hospitals for patient safety by The Leapfrog Group.
Welcome to our Season
Dear Boulder Ballet Community,
Welcome to our 42nd season, UNLOCKED. This year, we’re inviting you to step behind the scenes and discover the innovation of dance in new and exciting ways. From our studios to the stage, we’re opening the doors for you to experience the artistry, creativity, and collaboration that make each performance come to life. Join us for open rehearsals, our Artist Series talk-backs following shows and join us as we explore the transformative power of dance together.
Our spring season invites you to experience a range of performances that open new doors of creativity and innovation. From contemporary premieres to reenvisioned classics, each program offers a chance to unlock new dimensions of artistry and connection.
We begin in March with Revived, a contemporary program that challenges conventional boundaries and brings fresh, groundbreaking choreography to the stage. This collection of works will unlock new perspectives, showcasing the bold, forward-thinking work of today’s most innovative choreographers.
For our youngest dancers and families, we are excited to present our Storybook Ballet: The Journey of the Country Mouse. This performance is an invitation to unlock the magic of childhood stories, where timeless fairy tales come to life through the beauty of ballet.
In April, we invite you to be part of our most impactful fundraiser of the season —The Red Ball Benefit, April 3 Corrida. This exclusive event not only celebrates the artistry of Boulder Ballet but also unlocks the potential for new programs and initiatives. By joining us, you help us continue to enrich the cultural landscape of Boulder and support the dancers, artists, and educators who make it all possible.
May brings the premiere of Queen of Hearts, an exciting original ballet that will unlock a world of fantasy and whimsy. This production will captivate you with its bold choreography, stunning costumes, original sets and unforgettable storytelling. Don’t miss this extraordinary piece as it unfolds on stage.
In closing, we want to thank each of you for being a part of the Boulder Ballet family. Your support and enthusiasm help us create new possibilities for our dancers, our community, and the future of the arts. We look forward to sharing this incredible season with you.
Warmly,
Claudia Anata Hubiak, Executive Director
Photo: Amanda Tipton
Boulder Ballet Presents
UNLOCKED
RED BALL BENEFIT
at Corrida April 3, 2025
Boulder Ballet invites you to an unforgettable night celebrating the transformative power of dance, while enjoying rooftop performances, culinary delights, and signature cocktails. Join us for an after party featuring a live DJ and dancing.
2025 Winter/Spring
QUEEN OF HEARTS
at The Dairy ARTS Center May 16-18, 2025
You may know the story of Alice In Wonderland, but what do we really know about the Queen of Hearts? This unique twist on Lewis Carroll’s classical tale will take you on a whimsical journey that is full of adventure and a healthy dose of fun. Queen of Hearts will be a treat for the entire family.
BALLET IN THE PARK
at Central Park Bandshell June 7, 2025
Boulder Ballet is excited to revive this free, family-friendly performance. Experience a mixed repertoire program, presenting a collection of short works that highlight the diverse range of ballet and showcase the standout performances from throughout the season.
Company & School
2590 Walnut Street, Suite 10
Boulder, CO 80302
303.443.0028
www.boulderballet.org
ARTISTIC STAFF
Ben Needham-Wood, Artistic Director
Sadie Brown, Rehearsal Director
Makaila Wallace, Rehearsal Director
Company Class Teachers: Andrea Basile, Sadie Brown, Francisco Estevez, Christina Johnson, Makaila Wallace
Costume Fabrication: Samantha Fruhwirth, Jane Rusk
Jane Rusk, Wardrobe Supervisor
COMPANY DANCERS
Gianna Forte, Carly Hambridge (Revived), Philip Gabriel Perez, Morgan Rust, Marian Faustino, Sarah Macgregor, Jethro Paine, Montes´ Pirtle
BOULDER BALLET SCHOOL
Andrea Basile, School Director
Laura Malpass, Assistant School Director
Faculty: Ana Claire, Sadie Brown, Peter Davison, Marian Faustino, Rachel Halmrast, Melissa Halpin, Eva Hegge Wilder, Laura Malpass, Ben Needham-Wood, Rain Peruggi, Jarrett Rashad, Lauren Russell, Morgan Rust, Laura Saylor, Makaila Wallace, Grace Weidemann, Montes´ Pirtle
BOULDER BALLET ADMINISTRATION
Claudia Anata Hubiak, Executive Director
Leah Woods, Grants Manager
Courtney Essary Messenbaugh, Development Director
Sarah MacGregor, Development Associate
Mariah Harbert, Marketing Manager
Beth Litz, Office Manager & BBS Registrar
Morgan Rust, Marketing Associate
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Emily Greenberg (Chair)
Christina Trusty Ross (Vice Chair)
Stacy Gilbert (Treasurer)
Brittany Ceres
Brandon Lundell
Veronica Lemberger
Alyah Baker
Vivian Kim
Christina Johnson
Stephen Baumann
Claudia Anata Hubiak (ex-officio)
Ben Needham-Wood (ex-officio)
Andrea Basile (ex-officio)
ADVISORY BOARD
Kathleen Alt
Amy Britton
Kylie Crandall
PARTNERS OF BOULDER BALLET
Jeffrey Rushnak, Technical Director
Craig Bushman, Lighting Designer
Heather Karimi, Jennifer Ford Dorish, Julia Weidle, Boulder Ballet Guild
Amy Kenney, Boulder Body Wear
Lynn Flynn, CPA, Accounting
Photo by Amanda Tipton
About Boulder Ballet
Boulder Ballet has been captivating Boulder audiences for 42 years with its dedication to celebrating the artistry, passion, and joy of dance. As Boulder County’s foremost professional dance company and ballet school, Boulder Ballet believes that dance offers a life-altering impact on those who engage with its expressive depth and experience its transformative power.
Since its founding, the professional company has been led by several notable former dancers, including: Miljenko Banovic (formerly of Zagreb Ballet), Robin Haig (formerly of the Royal Ballet), John Prinz (formerly of American Ballet Theatre), Peter Davison, Ana Claire, and Lance Hardin.
Boulder Ballet’s origins trace back to the Ballet Arts Studios, founded in Denver and Boulder by former American Ballet Theatre dancer Larry Boyette in the 1970s. In 1981, Barbara Demaree and Wanda Tierney purchased the Boulder studio, and the following year, they established the first performing company, initially known as Boulder City Ballet. The organization adopted its current name, Boulder Ballet, in 1995 and is proud to continue contributing to the cultural landscape of the Boulder community and beyond.
Photo by Amanda Tipton
2024/25
Season Announcement
Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248
December 20th, 2024 | 7:00 p.m.
December 21st, 2024 | 7:00 p.m.
December 22nd, 2024 | 1:00 p.m.
St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244
February 21st, 2025 | 7:00 p.m.
February 23rd, 2025 | 2:00 p.m.
Cantata Insights Series
Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot, BWV 39
September 15th, 2024 | 6:00 p.m.
Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, BWV 44
October 20th, 2024 | 6:00 p.m.
Süßer Trost, mein Jesus kömmt, BWV 151
January 11th and 12th, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 20
March 30th, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
Wer sich selbst erhöhet, BWV 47
April 27th, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
Reserve your tickets today! coloradobach.org
Welcome to Boulder Ballet’s winter program, REVIVED! This production transforms the past into a present moment, highlighting the importance of preserving powerful art. Each choreography in REVIVED originated on another company with resounding praise. I am beyond thrilled for Boulder Ballet to be bringing these works together in a single performance.
I choreographed Cooties nearly 10 years ago in San Francisco. This was one of the first full length ballets I had the opportunity to create and it taught me so much about my own artistic voice. I learned that the most important quality to me is sincerity of a performer’s character, and with this revival I’m excited to see what new characters these dancers will reveal in the work.
Within Without made its Boulder debut as part of this season’s opening performance back in September. The dancers dug deep into Andrea Schermoly’s choreography and collectively produced a powerful sensation of vulnerability and strength. Now, 6 months later, the dancers have an opportunity to unlock a new layer to this work and push their potential even further.
The final work on the REVIVED program is a true masterpiece that has only ever been performed by its original company, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. ASFB toured this work internationally, receiving standing ovations and acclaim all across the globe. This work is Nicolo Fonte’s The Heart(S)pace. It is a true honor to be reviving this iconic work in Boulder, and it would not have been possible without our rehearsal director, Sadie Brown, who was an original cast member. The greatest legacies of dance are the ones shared from generation to generation, where experienced artists generously guide the process of a newer artist in order to preserve the integrity of this beloved artform. It can be a truly transformative process, allowing us to build on our past to create space for an even greater future.
There are so many artists who have helped our company dancers unlock new potential, and in the spirit of REVIVED building on legacies I’d love to close with a quick shout out to some of those generous artists who have guided our current season: Claudia Anata-Hubiak, Sadie Brown, Ana Claire, Nicolo Fonte, Christina Johnson, Valerie Madonia, Lizanne McAdamsGraham, Tom Mossbrucker, Jarrett Rashad, Andrea Schermoly, Makaila Wallace, and Ching Ching Wong.
Warmest regards,
Ben Needham-Wood
Photo: Amanda Tipton
Light Rain Pas de Deux
*Friday and Sunday shows only By Gerald Arpino
-WELCOMECooties
By Ben Needham-Wood
-INTERMISSIONWithin Without By Andrea Schermoly
-INTERMISSION-
The Heart(S)pace
Choreography by Nicolo Fonte
Join us for a post-show Q&A after each performance
Moderated by Ben Needham-Wood
Friday at 7:00p: The Heart(S)pace with choreographer Nicolo Fonte and stager Sadie Brown
Saturday at 2:00p: Light Rain & Within Without with Philip Perez and Morgan Rust
Saturday at 7:00p: Cooties with Gianna Forte and Jethro Paine
Sunday at 2:00p: Meet the Dancers
Executive Director: Claudia Anata Hubiak
Artistic Director: Ben Needham-Wood
Rehearsal Directors: Sadie Brown, Makaila Wallace
Company Class Teachers: Andrea Basile, Sadie Brown, Franisco Estevez, Christina Johnson, Makaila Wallace
Technical Director: Jeffrey Rusnak
Lighting Designer: Craig Bushman
Wardrobe Supervisor: Jane Rusk
Costume Fabrication: Samantha Fruhwirth, Jane Rusk
Light Rain Pas de Deux
*Friday and Sunday shows only
Choreography by Gerald Arpino
Music by Douglas Adamz & Russ Gauthier
Staged by Tom Mossbrucker and Valerie Madonia
Lighting by Craig Sherman after Thomas Skelton
Costumes courtesy of Diablo Ballet after original A. Christina Giannini design
Dancers: Morgan Rust and Philip Perez
*The performance of “Light Rain,” an Arpino ballet, is presented with the permission of The Gerald Arpino Foundation and has been produced in accordance with the Foundation service standards established and provided by the Foundation.
About Gerald Arpino
Gerald Arpino (1923-2008) was the Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer of The Joffrey Ballet, the company he co-founded with Robert Joffrey in 1956. Born on Staten Island, New York, he met Robert Joffrey while stationed in Seattle with the Coast Guard. He studied with Mary Ann Wells, at the School of American Ballet, danced with Graham dancers May O’Donnell and Gertrude Schurr, and was a principal dancer with the original Joffrey company.
As resident choreographer, Arpino created over one-third of the commissioned repertory for the Joffrey Ballet, including Sea Shadow, Viva Vivaldi, Olympics, The Clowns, Trinity, Kettentanz, Suite Saint-Saens, and Light Rain. He also had wide experience in Broadway musicals, on television, in opera, and staged musicals for the country’s leading festivals. Arpino’s ballets have been performed at the White House on several occasions, as well as around the world, to critical acclaim as well as controversial appraisal. So varied was his output, that one critic commented, “He’s not a single artist. He must be an alliance.” As one of the recipients of the 1974 Dance Magazine Award, his citation read: “To Gerald Arpino – more than any other choreographer, he has recognized the spirit of the times. His work speaks clearly of the anguish and the joy of being young in America today.”
Upon Robert Joffrey’s passing, Arpino directed the Joffrey Ballet from 1988 until 2008, continuing Joffrey’s vision for the company by restaging important dance historical works, such as Léonide Massine’s symphonic ballet Les Presages (1933), and Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella (1948), as well as taking risks with new commissions such as the rock ballet Billboards (1993) to music by Prince. In 1995, Arpino moved the Joffrey Ballet to Chicago, where he established the Joffrey as a worldclass company in the heart of the American Midwest, which continues to thrive today.
Cooties
*Friday at 7:00p, Saturday at 2:00p
**Saturday at 7:00p, Sunday at 2:00p
Choreography by Ben Needham-Wood
Music by René Aubry
Costumes by Jane Rusk
Lighting Design by Craig Bushman
Dancers: Full Company
1st Duet: *Marian Faustino & Preston Swovelin / **Gianna Forte & Montes Pirtle
1st Solo: *Montes Pirtle / **Jethro Paine
2nd Solo: *Sarah MacGregor / **Carly Hambridge
Final Duet: *Gianna Forte & Jethro Paine / **Sarah MacGregor & Preston Swovelin
Cooties Program Note:
Cooties is a fun exploration of the many emotions and sensations that genuine human connections can ignite. Whether it’s the butterflies of a new romance, the complexities of existing within a group, or the exhilarating feeling of being confidently on your own path, we all process those feelings differently but somehow those moments help us understand each other so much better. Creating authentic human moments is a gift, and I hope you find something satisfying in this performance or in the experience you share with the people around you.
Choreographic Bio:
Boulder Ballet’s Artistic Director, Ben Needham-Wood, is an EMMY Award-winning choreographer and filmmaker. His choreography has been presented nationally by professional companies, TV networks, commercial airlines, film festivals, and galas. In 2018, Ben and his long-time collaborator, Weston Krukow, co-created the dance film BaseBallet: Into the Game, which was awarded 4 Northern-California Area EMMY Awards and recognized by film festivals across the country. This feature was preceded by the short film, BaseBallet, which was also recognized with a regional EMMY Award and was later exhibited at the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Within Without
Choreography by Andrea Schermoly
Staged by Sadie Brown and Ben Needham-Wood Music by Hildur Gudnadottir, Andreas Scholl, Ólafur Arnalds, Chopin
Lighting Design by Craig Bushman
Dancers: Marian Faustino, Gianna Forte, Carly Hambridge, Sarah MacGregor, Morgan Rust, Jethro Paine, Philip Perez, Montes´ Pirtle
About Andrea Schermoly
Andrea (Andi) Giselle Schermoly was born in South Africa. She trained at the National School of the Arts, Johannesburg and on full scholarship at Rambert Ballet and Contemporary School and full scholarship at The Royal Ballet School, London. She competed internationally as a member of The South African National Rhythmic Gymnastics Team. She danced professionally for Boston Ballet II and the Netherlands Dance Theater. She is the resident choreographer at Louisville Ballet Company.
She has choreographed and staged work for Compania Nazionale de Danza, Ballet Met, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Cape Dance Company, Kansas City Ballet Company, State Street Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet Company, Louisville Ballet Company, Santa Barbara Dance Theater, Festival Ballet Theater, Ballet Theatre Afrikan, Quixotic Cirque Noveau, Boston Ballet II, Joffrey Ballet Concert Group, The Juilliard School solos evening and directed and choreographed a dance narrative film for The Ashley Bouder Project presented at The Joyce Theater, NYC, which went on to be presented by San Francisco Dance Film Festival. She was awarded the “Outstanding Choreographer” award in 2012, 2013 and 2017 at Youth America Grand Prix. In 2014 she choreographed at Lincoln Center for YAGP’s 15th anniversary gala evening on dancers Maria Kochetkova (principal San Francisco Ballet) and Joaquin de Luz (principal New York City Ballet). The piece has since been re-staged at ‘Buenos Aires International Dance Gala’ Argentina and ‘Stars of the 21st Century Gala’ in the Champs Élysées, Paris. Andi has choreographed for feature films, commercials and music videos including ‘Beautiful Now’, ‘Bunheads’, Justin Bieber/Poo Bear and Deorro music video and choreographically assisted on projects as ‘Budweiser Superbowl Commercial’ and ‘Star Trek into Darkness’. She’s created work for principal dancers attending international galas, most recently for Sarah Van Patten/Wei Wang of San Francisco Ballet for Tahoe Dance Camp.
Andrea has created 7 original works for Louisville Ballet, including having the honor of recreating two iconic Martha Graham works in collaboration with Louisville Ballet and Louisville Orchestra. Appalachian Spring and Judith. She has upcoming work with Oregon Ballet Theater amongst others and recently finished a full-length original creation of Romeo and Juliet for Royal New Zealand Ballet. This will be restaged at West Australian Ballet this year. Her most recent dance film ‘Rite of Spring’ for Louisville Ballet received outstanding reviews including “the best pandemic film produced in the US”. by ARTS AIR.
The Heart(S)pace
Choreography by Nicolo Fonte
Music by Ezio Bosso
Staged by Sadie Brown
Costumes by Christine Joly de Lotbiniere
Original Lighting Design by Seah Johnson, adapted by Craig Bushman
Dancers: Marian Faustino, Gianna Forte, Carly Hambridge, Morgan Rust, Jethro Paine, Philip Perez, Montes´ Pirtle, Preston Swovelin
*The performance of The Heart(S)pace has been made possible through the generous support of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Fund.
About Nicolo Fonte
Choreographer Nicolo Fonte is known for his unique movement language as well as the highly developed fusion of ideas, dance and design that is a hallmark of his work. A first generation American, Fonte - whose parents emigrated to the US from Argentina, started dancing at the age of 14. He studied at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York, San Francisco Ballet, School of American Ballet and also completed a Bachelor Degree of Fine Arts at SUNY Purchase. His dance career took him from Peridance in NYC, to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and, ultimately to Nacho Duato’s Compañia Nacional de Danza in Madrid.
Mr. Fonte received a Choo San Goh award for Almost Tango, his 2002 choreography for Pacific Northwest Ballet. Almost Tango was also voted as one of Dance Europe’s “Best Premiere’s” when it was re-staged for The Australian Ballet in 2004. His very first full-length work Re: Tchaikovsky, created for The Gothenburg Ballet in 2005, appeared on the “Best of 2005” lists of both Ballett-Tanz and Dance Europe. Since that time, Fonte has created an additional three full-evening works for BalletX (Philadelphia): Beautiful Decay (2013), Beasts (2015) and Sidd: A Heroes Journey (2023), based on the Herman Hesse novel Siddhartha.
Fonte’s choreography has been performed by companies large and small all over the globe – from Het National Ballet in Amsterdam to the National Dance Company of El Salvador. In addition to his four original full-length ballets, re-invigorated versions of classic scores such as Bolero and Carmina Burana, and extraordinary collaborations with artists across many disciplines, all are well represented in Mr. Fonte’s work over the past twenty plus years. Nicolo has enjoyed several ongoing creative partnerships with several companies such as The Gothenburg Ballet in Sweden, and has been an important contributor to the repertories of Tulsa Ballet and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet where The Heart(s)pace first premiered in 2014. Nicolo has been Resident Choreographer for both Oregon Ballet Theatre and Ballet West in Salt Lake City. During his tenure as Resident Choreographer for both companies, he contributed numerous successful works to the repertory of these acclaimed ensembles.
Company Dancers
MARIAN FAUSTINO began her career in the Philippines with the country’s two premiere dance organizations, Ballet Manila and Ballet Philippines. While there, she performed principal roles in fulllength classics such as Don Quixote (Kitri), La Bayadere (Gamzatti), and Swan Lake (Odile). Marian was also the Philippine representative to major international ballet competitions in Moscow and Nagoya, where she earned semi-finalist and finalist certificates respectively. Upon moving to Denver, Colorado in 2011, Marian spent 5 seasons with the contemporary ballet company Wonderbound. As a freelance artist, she has traveled the country dancing with the Washington National Opera at The Kennedy Center, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Dance Aspen, Owen Cox Dance Group, and The Rosin Box Project. This is her first season with Boulder Ballet.
GIANNA FORTE is originally from Easton, CT, and began her training with Connecticut Dance, New England Ballet Company, and Ballet Etudes. In 2015, she began training privately with Christina Fagundas, a former soloist with American Ballet Theatre. Gianna joined The Washington School of Ballet under the direction of Xiomara Reyes in 2016. In 2018, Gianna was promoted to Trainee at The Washington Ballet and performed in Septime Webre’s The Nutcracker, John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet, Julie Kent’s The Sleeping Beauty, and rehearsed for Julie Kent’s Swan Lake in April 2020. Gianna became a certified personal trainer in 2021. In her three seasons with the company, Gianna has enjoyed performing the Principal role in Les Sylphides along with works by Andrea Schermoly, Caili Quan, Brandon Ragland, Ben Needham-Wood, Amy Seiwert, and Gregory Dawson. Gianna joined Boulder Ballet in 2021.
CARLY HAMBRIDGE began dancing at age seven in Charlotte, NC, and graduated from Butler University in 2014 with a BA in Dance Pedagogy with honors. Upon graduation, Carly joined Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Graduate Program on scholarship, performing alongside the company. In 2015, she joined Nevada Ballet Theatre and then BalletMet 2 in 2016, performing works by George Balanchine, Edwaard Liang, James Canfield, and Michael Pink. Now, in her 8th season with Boulder Ballet, Carly has been featured in roles including Giselle, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in works by Twyla Tharp, Christopher Wheeldon, Paul Taylor, Amy Seiwert, Gregory Dawson, Sidra Bell, Andrea Schermoly, Caili Quan, and Ben Needham-Wood. Additionally, Carly teaches ballet to dancers of all levels and is a licensed trainer in the GYROTONIC® Method. Carly joined Boulder Ballet in 2017.
SARAH MACGREGOR was raised in Upstate New York, where she received her early ballet education. In 2017, she joined the pre- professional division at the Boston Ballet School, studying for three years under the direction of Margaret Tracey. In 2020, Sarah graduated from high school and attended Indiana University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Ballet and a Bachelor of Science in Arts Management. In Indiana, she trained under Sarah Wroth, Michael Vernon, Kyra Nichols, Christian Claessens, Sasha Janes, Carla Körbes, and Glenda Lucena, performing in numerous ballets by George Balanchine, classical masterpieces by August Bournonville and Marius Petipa, and principal roles in Gianna Reisen’s Jupiter No. 5, Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa’s Shibuya Blues, Justin Peck’s Heatscape, and a reimagined La Bayadere by Phil Chan and Doug Fullington. Sarah joined Boulder Ballet in 2024.
JETHRO PAINE started his dance training in Southeastern Europe, where he lived for ten years, before attending the Royal Ballet School in London (2013-19). He went on to work as a professional dancer with Boston Ballet II. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Jethro kickstarted his freelance career and worked with English National Ballet on their productions of Raymonda and The Nutcracker, followed by various short-term contracts with Wales’ national ballet company, Ballet Cymru. He has also spent time touring with Zikr Dance Ensemble across Colorado and New Mexico. Having recently completed an MSc in Social Anthropology at University College London with a Distinction, Jethro is looking forward to starting with Boulder Ballet.
PHILIP GABRIEL PEREZ was born in Colombia and raised in NYC. At age seven, he began classes at The JKO School of ABT under Franco De Vita and Raymond Lukens. In 2010, Alexei Ratmansky cast him as the Young Prince in ABT’s new production of The Nutcracker, reprising this role for three years. He then trained at Boston Ballet School under Peter Stark and Margaret Tracey; followed by Nashville Ballet II and Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company. At Miami IBC 2019, he was awarded the silver medal. His diverse repertoire includes works by Balanchine, Tudor, Tharp, Wheeldon, Taylor, Caniparoli, Seiwert, and more. Dedicated to sharing the art form, Philip is an ABT NTC certified teacher, studied dance technology at Jacob’s Pillow, and frequently appears as a guest artist across the country. Philip joined Boulder Ballet in 2018.
MONTES ´ PIRTLE has performed with many dance schools and companies including BC, Visceral Dance, Ballet Virginia, Lines Ballet, and DTH. He started his training at SSDA with Larry Brewer and went on to study at Ballet Chicago on full Scholarship. Shortly after he left to attend the Ailey School on full scholarship. Montes´ has worked with renowned choreographers such as Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, Robert Garland, Virginia Johnson, Ray Mercer, Gary Abbott, Kevin Iega Jeff, Lydia Roberts-Coco, Dwight Rhoden, Nick Pupillo, and Nadege Hottier. He has performed soloist/principal roles such as Arabian Prince, Blue Bird Variation, Ukrainian Babka Solo, Man I Love Pas De Deux and Liza Solo. Montes´ recently received his first dance review from, See Chicago Dance stating, “Montes´ Pirtle warmed the house as Hot Chocolate. Pirtle is especially charismatic and someone to watch”.
MORGAN RUST began her training at Indiana Ballet Conservatory and, after winning gold and silver medals at prestigious international ballet competitions, she received a full scholarship to complete her training at The Washington Ballet. There, Ms. Rust had the privilege to dance with the company in The Sleeping Beauty, Serenade, Giselle, and rehearse Swan Lake (2020). In 2021, Morgan joined Sarasota Ballet and danced in many iconic works by George Balanchine, Frederick Ashton, Johan Kobborg, and Sir Kenneth MacMillan, and had new works set on her by esteemed choreographers. Since joining Boulder Ballet in 2023, Morgan has performed principal roles in Les Sylphides, Double Stop by Val Caniparoli, and The Nutcracker. Ms. Rust has also performed as a principal guest artist, is a certified teacher in the ABT® National Training Curriculum through Level 5, and is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer.
GUEST ARTIST
PRESTON SWOVELIN is a native to Los Angeles. He has trained with the Pasadena Dance Theatre and Miami City Ballet School on full scholarship under Cynthia Young, Lawrence Blake, and Edward Villella. He is the recipient of various awards including 2nd place for Hip-Hop at the USA Nationals. Preston has worked with over 90 organizations including as a Principal at Eugene Ballet Company, California Ballet, and Golden State Ballet, Troy University as a professor, Golden State Ballet as Rehearsal Director, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Setsuko Kawaguchi Ballet in Japan, Boulder Ballet, San Diego Opera, CalArts, National Choreographers Initiative, Disney, Harley-Davidson, Audi, Bad Boys of Dance throughout Europe (as Romeo in Romeo & Juliet), and performed and choreographed in collaborations with Cirque du Soleil. He is a desperado by day, a connoisseur of Netflix by night, and enjoys the occasional skydive.
Sponsors SPONSORS
We express our sincere appreciation to the following donors who supported Boulder Ballet from February 2024 through February 1st, 2025.
$100,000+
Mary Ellen and David Wright
Jamie and Mark Ragan
$50,000+
Scientific and Cultural Facilities District
$20,000+
Anonymous
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Fund
Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation
Shubert Foundation
Todd Reed
$10,000+
Anonymous
Boulder Arts Commission
Denver Ballet Guild
Katharine Raybin
Radical Waves Project
$5,000+
Kathleen and Michael Alt
Amy and Terence Britton
Stacy and Brian Gilbert
Hefty Family Charitable Fund
Holland & Hart LLP
MileHiModern
Anna and Paul Ottolino
Ginger and Doug Pisik
Deidre and gReg Silvus
$2,500+
The Academy Boulder
Boulder Medical Center
Boulder Periodontics & Care Esthetics
Emily Tucker Design, Inc.
Tara Hefty
HMH Architecture + Interiors
Becky and William Jancosko
Kenneth and Myra Monfort
Charitable Foundation
Janice Kolbe
Marks and Milne Charitable Fund
Ellie and Harry Poehlmann
Rent Boulder Now
The Schramm Foundation
Sue Englestad
$1,000+
Anonymous (2)
Alpine Bank
Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP
Connie and Chris Boyd
Jan Burton
Emily Canova
Kathleen and Richard Carande
Suzanne Carrington and Kenneth Epstein
Coburn Development
Marie and Curt Colby
Kylie and Zachary Crandall
Desert Bloom Landscape Design
Feldman Family Foundation
Elfriede Gamow
Harmony Healing Center, P.C.
Cynthia Hart
Eyal Kaplan
Heather and Stan Karimi
Danon Kloster
Jessica Link
Elizabeth and Brandon Lundell
Bob Lynch
Deborah Malden and Michael Donovan
Lynn McGowin
Tina and EJ Meade
Cindy and Mark Meyer
Psychiatrists Partnering for Dance
Ruth Anne and Charles Rahe
Kristen and Jared Reiss
Christina Trusty Ross
Jennifer and Nicholas Stachniak
Christopher Wilson
Catherine Winsten
$500+
Catherine Allegra and James Tanner
Susan and Andy Aust
Linda and Jon Banashek
Andrea Basile and Paul Perez
Center For Spine and Orthopedics
Blew Family Charitable
Dana Charatan
Laurie Clark
Margot Crowe
Kelli Fisher
Elizabeth and Joseph Friel
Marla and Dick Gentry
Eric Goodman
Gustavo and Susan Grampp
Sue Henderson
Claudia Hubiak and Fabio Stefani
Elizabeth and Jim Jameson
Matthew Klein and Merry Todd
Amy and Kurt Kemmerer
Kerry Kring
Adriana Llewellyn and Michael
LaVilla
Patricia McCarthy
Jennifer Norton and Mark Vick
Julia Ogden
Otter Island Foundation
The Priscilla Endicott Charitable Foundation
Anna and Daniel Rahe
Chelsea Retzloff
Lauren Stone and Brooke Baker
Jessica and Jeff Speer
Wendy and Josh Talmon
Michelle and Pete Walsh
Julia and Lee Weidle
$250+
Leah and Arron Alexis
Emma and Michael Anselmi
Ann Bateson and Frank Everts
Andrea Bernthal
Ruscha Cohen and Todd Berger
Carol Core
Kelsey and Keith Connaghan
Lauren Feldman
Anakija Fostvedt and Rob Cross
Kate and Collin Gray
Emily Greenberg
Cindy Harrington and Scott MacGregor
Kathleen Harris
Sally Hatcher and Christopher Myatt
Joy Hempel
Ellen and Stefan Magnusson
Maloney Palaich Family Fund
Jacqueline Marie and Andrew Young
Christine and Dajan MarshDamjanovic
Lyra Mayfield and Charlie Stein
Deborah and Gary McBride
George Newell
Christa Robinson
Amy and Lonny Rose
Laura Saylor
Sonia Spencer
Topher Straus
Raina and Josh Taillon
By Sean Daniels
“Plays save lives in all kinds of ways. I would bet that The White Chip has and will.”
— The New York Times
Apr. 10 - May 4
Opening Night – Sat., Apr. 12
The Dairy Arts Center | Boulder
Straight from its critically acclaimed run off-Broadway, The White Chip is the true story of one man’s journey from alcoholism to recovery in a play The New York Times described as “laugh-out-loud funny and gasp-inducing, self-inflicted tragedy.”
Summer Programs
ENROLL NOW
The Boulder Ballet School (BBS) provides ballet training for all ages, pre-school through adult, in a uniquely artistic and creative atmosphere. As a professional-track ballet school, BBS challenges students dedicated to pursuing dance as a career but also welcomes those who dance purely for enjoyment. BBS focuses on ballet technique because it is a beautiful art in its own right and a strong base for many other styles of dance. Our programs run throughout the school year and summer, offering a variety of classes. For more information, please email info@boulderballet.org or call 303.443.0028.
Photo by Lexi Evans
Summer Classes
June 2-August 3
Spend your summer dancing! Boulder Ballet School offers classes in a nine-week summer session for students ages 2 and up. Visit Boulderballet.org for more information and the class schedule.
BBS Summer Camp
Fantasy Adventure Camp
June 2-6: 5-8 year olds
July 21-25: 8-10 year olds
July 28-August 1: 4-8 year olds
Daily from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Join us for a week of dance, production crafts, and fantasy adventure at The Dairy Arts Center!
In our week-long summer camp, campers will dance their own character into life as they collaborate with their peers to create a magical world full of adventure. Families join us at the end of the week to applaud your campers’ creations and celebrate their imagination and creativity!
Boulder Ballet School’s Fantasy Adventure Camp is suitable for ages 4–10, no dance experience necessary.
Camp Cost
$450 per camper
*Sign up with a sibling or for multiple weeks and get 10% off full price enrollment. Use code BBCAMP10 at checkout. One discount per family applies.
Ballet Workshops
Youth Industry Week - June 9-13
Teachers: Jarrett Rashad and guests
An invaluable opportunity for aspiring young dancers to gain real-world insight into the professional dance industry. As the dance world continues to evolve, it’s crucial for today’s dancers to develop not only their technique, but also their understanding of the business side of the art form. Boulder Ballet’s Youth Industry Week provides comprehensive experience introducing dancers to dance beyond the studio. Led by top-tier, locally-renowned professionals, this program equips dancers with essential tools for success in mastering auditions, navigating agents, self-promotion, and creating connections with industry leaders. Whether you dream to perform on stage, in film, or in commercial dance, this workshop will empower your dancer with the knowledge and skills to take their dancing to the next level!
Photo by Lexi Evans
Adaptive Dance
Boulder Ballet School offers Adaptive Dance
Boulder Ballet partners with medical volunteers to offer a supervised Adaptive Dance program designed for youth with cognitive and physical challenges.
Our Adaptive Dance classes are for all bodies and offer space for up to 10 special needs students. We explore movement from ballet, creative movement, and jazz. Our students perform to their abilities and enjoy the physical and emotional freedom that comes from movement and music. Students will have the opportunity to develop skills such as motor skills, coordination, balance, and socialization.
Physicians and instructors assist the students in each class. Adaptive Dance classes take place in the Boulder Ballet studios in the Dairy ARTS Center, 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder.
Interest in Volunteering?
Boulder Ballet is seeking volunteers with an interest and background in working with children with disabilities to assist its medically supervised Adaptive Dance program designed for youth with cognitive and/or physical challenges.
For more information and registration, please visit boulderballet.org/adaptive-dance
Your Gift Makes Joy Possible
When childcare is affordable, everyone benefits! Children, families and communities thrive when working parents have access to affordable care and children have opportunities to connect with supportive mentors. That’s why the Y works to make childcare accessible to under-resourced families in our communities.
But we need your help!
Donate today to give families access to programs that uplift, empower and nurture.
Give at ymcanoco.org
Takács Quartet: September-April
Hänsel und Gretel: Oct. 25 and 27
Pablo Sáinz Villegas, guitar : Nov. 9
Boston Brass + Brass All-Stars Big Band: Dec. 14
Renée Fleming, soprano : Jan. 31
Sweet Honey in the Rock: Feb. 28
The Pirates of Penzance: March 14-16
Renée Fleming
Photo by Andrew Eccles/Decca
BOULDER BALLET INVITES YOU TO THE
2025/26 SEASON
FALL OPENER AT CHAUTAUQUA
Sept. 19 at Chautauqua Auditorium
DANCER’S CHOICE THE NUTCRACKER
Oct. 26-27 at The Dairy ARTS Center
Nov. 28-Dec. 1 at Macky
Auditorium Concert Hall
Dec. 6-7 at Vance Brand Auditorium
Dec. 13-14 at The Stanley Hotel
BOULDER BALLET WINTER SHOW
March 6-8, 2026 at The Dairy ARTS Center
BOULDER BALLET SPRING SHOW
May 15-17, 2026 at The Dairy ARTS Center
BALLET IN THE PARK
BALLET IN THE PARK
June 2026 at Central Park Bandshell
Sign up to be the first to know about show dates, ticket availability and all things Boulder Ballet.
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