Experimental Take on Shakespeare’s Macbeth Explores Power, Fate & Who’s Really in Control

Nashville Ballet will unearth the sinister side of human nature with Something Wicked, an experimental adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, just in time for Halloween October 20-22, 2016, at TPAC’s Polk Theater. While the ballet explores the story’s classic themes of power and fate, Nashville Ballet’s version delves deeper into the role of the three witches.

“In Shakespeare’s tale, the witches predict Macbeth’s fate as King of Scotland, which spurs Macbeth and his wife to murderous actions to fulfill the prophecy,” Paul Vasterling, Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO, said. “In our version, the witches don’t merely plant this seed in Macbeth’s head. Instead, they actively manipulate him as a pawn in their own greedy quest for power.”

Men on Pointe Provide Comic Relief

Nashville Ballet brings the magical fairytale Cinderella to life September 16-18, 2016, at TPAC’s Polk Theater as the opening performance of its 2016-2017 season. The family friendly classical ballet features a Cinderella who’s not afraid to take fate into her own hands, two stepsisters hilariously played by men and an adorable youth cast of 5 to 7 year olds.

“Cinderella exists in cultures all over the world, but the version we’re most familiar with in America is a leading lady who’s a victim of her circumstance,” Paul Vasterling, Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO, said. “In other interpretations, Cinderella is a more proactive participant in her fate. I’m more interested in telling this story—of an empowered Cinderella who knows her own intelligence and worth.”

National Dance Day Marks Nashville Launch of DANCEFIX

At its sixth consecutive year celebrating National Dance Day with a free day of dance on Saturday, July 30, Nashville Ballet will offer a preview of its new fall adult class DANCEFIX, a high-energy, adult dance workout class.

Founded by Heather Britt, a professional dancer and choreographer from Cincinnati, Ohio, DANCEFIX will only be available at Nashville Ballet outside of Cincinnati. Classes feature diverse choreography, including everything from hip hop and jazz to Latin and lyrical. Each hour-long session, designed for both new and experienced dancers, includes a short warm-up, a toning session and 45 minutes of original choreography.

Young Men’s Scholarship Program Offers Comprehensive, Tuition-free Training for Ages 6-18

Nashville Ballet announces the launch of its Young Men’s Scholarship Program beginning August 2016, which will provide comprehensive ballet training for males age 6-18 of all experience levels. The program will offer students one full academic year of tuition-free training, followed by merit-based scholarships.

The program is spearheaded by Nashville Ballet company dancers Jon Upleger, Judson Veach and Gerald Watson, who will serve as Principal Instructors for the classes. Upleger, Veach and Watson developed the program to create an accessible way for young men to become introduced to the athleticism and art of ballet.

Proceeds Directly Support Nashville Ballet’s Community Engagement Programming

Nashville Ballet’s largest annual fundraiser, Ballet Ball, experienced a record-breaking year in both fundraising and attendance. Ballet Ball 2016, which was held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on March 12, 2016, generated $421,349.97 in net revenue and included 782 guests.

The previous Ballet Ball fundraising record was set at $400,111 during 2011, and the highest recorded attendance was 662 people in 2012. This year’s black-tie affair, which coincided with Nashville Ballet’s 30th anniversary season, was co-chaired by Mary Morgan Ketchel and Sharon Sandahl.

Nashville’s Nutcracker Tickets $12 off for the Month of July

Nashville Ballet’s annual summertime tradition, Christmas in July, returns with its largest single ticket discount of the year. For the entire month of July, Nashville’s Nutcracker tickets are $12 off with promo code XMASJULY.

Alexandra Meister and Nicolas Scheuer will Compete in Bulgaria July 15-30

Two Nashville Ballet company dancers, Alexandra Meister and Nicolas Scheuer, have been selected to compete in the 27th International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria. Meister and Scheuer will join more than 100 dancers from 30 countries July 15-30, 2016, marking the first time anyone from Nashville has been chosen to participate.

Founded in 1964, The Varna International Ballet Competition is the oldest, and arguably one the most prestigious, ballet competitions worldwide. Held every two years, dancers from all over the globe compete in a two-week, Olympic-style event for gold, silver and bronze medals in various categories.

Nashville Ballet will bring the story of world-renowned sculptor Edgar Degas and his artistic muse, aspiring young ballerina Marie van Goethen, vividly to life in Degas + The Little Dancer for seven performances May 8-22, 2016, at The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet.

Based on the children’s book of the same name by Laurence Anholt, Degas + The Little Dancer follows the story of young Marie, who dreams of becoming a prima ballerina, but cannot afford to take dance lessons. She gives up her dreams to support her family as an artist’s model and, in an ironic turn of events, becomes one of the most famous dancers in the world as the subject of French artist Degas’ bronze statue La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans.