HIGH POINT BALLET BRINGS NUTCRACKER TO TWO TRIAD CITIES

"The Triad may hope in vain for a real white Christmas, but High Point Ballet’s production of Tchaikovsky’s classic Nutcracker promises all the beauty and joy without all the wet and cold. Thanks to the theatre magic of designers Howard Jones and Aaron Porter, the sets and lighting of this year’s Nutcracker are ready to enchant just as thoroughly as the dancing. As always, artistic director Gary Taylor has thoughtfully spruced up the choreography of this classic ballet to best tell the story through music and movement, while highlighting the skills of his individual dancers. Snow falls in a spellbinding cascade, candy comes alive to dance before your eyes, and fairies fly with the grace of angels in this visual feast, sure to delight young and old alike. 

This year, High Point Ballet brings its production to two Triad cities: a triumphant return to High Point at the High Point Theatre and a continued relationship with the Civic Center in Lexington. Performances run in Lexington on December 11 at 7:30PM and December 12 at 2:00PM at the Edward C Smith Civic Center, 217 S Main St., Lexington. Performances run in High Point on December 18 at 7:30PM and December 19 at 2:00PM at the High Point Theatre, 220 E Commerce Ave., High Point. Ticketing information may be found at www.highpointballet.org. Tickets prices are $30.00 for general admission, $27.00 for seniors & students.

Educators and parents of young children looking to introduce students to the classic ballet are encouraged to bring their classes to our special school-day performance, Thursday, December 10 at 9:15AM and 10:45AM in Lexington, or Friday, December 18 at 9:15AM in High Point. This synoptic abbreviation of the Nutcracker ballet is tailored for students and their teachers, featuring a readily available, Common Core Compliant study guide for all your education needs."

- A Press Release

DRACULA BALLET BRINGS HALLOWEEN ROMANCE

"Class up your Halloween celebrations with a perfectly romantic night out at the ballet. Winston-Salem Festival Ballet invites you to celebrate Halloween a weekend early at Gary Taylor’s Dracula, running October 22-25 at the Hanesbrands Theatre. Whether you leave the costumes at home or pop in some plastic teeth and let some fake blood run down your chin, you’ll be sure to enjoy the show.

Taylor’s passionate choreography brings the classic tale to life once again, with an original score by Chris Heckman giving it a contemporary twist. As we view events through the eyes of the vampire himself, we come to understand Dracula’s undying love for Mina—a love spanning centuries and continents—and his hatred for those who get in his way. With stunning visuals and the elegant strength of the dancers, you may just find yourself yielding to the sway of the most legendary vampire of all time.

This 6^th annual production of Dracula brings new cast members and set elements. In addition, composer Chris Heckman has continued to work with choreography Gary Taylor in perfecting the work. Heckman is a professor of film music composition at the North Carolina School of the Arts whose recent work includes the acclaimed video game Red Dead Redemption and the award-winning short film The Perfect Gentleman. If you enjoy Heckman’s score for Dracula, you can purchase a copy in the theatre lobby before or after the show.

Performances of Dracula run from October 22-25 at the Hanesbrands Theatre, 209 N Spruce St., 7:30PM Thursday, 8:00PM Friday & Saturday, 2:00PM Sunday. Tickets may be purchased in-person at the Hanesbrands Theatre, by calling (336) 747‐1414, or by visiting www.winstonsalemfestivalballet.org. Ticket prices range from $34.75 for general admission to $30.50 for children, students, & seniors, with $19.75 Student Rush tickets available for purchase by full time students (with valid ID) 15 minutes prior to show."

- A Press Release

BALLET THE TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER RETURNS TO WINSTON-SALEM

"Back by popular demand, Winston-Salem Festival Ballet is proud to present The Tales of Beatrix Potter, again this spring. This original ballet by Gary Taylor brings the timeless children’s classics dancing to life at the Hanesbrands Theater, 209 N Spruce St., Winston-Salem. Performances run Saturday, March 28th at 11:00AM and 2:00PM and Sunday, March 29th at 2:00PM. Doors open one-hour prior to showtime for youth activities, autographs, and pictures with the characters. Tickets are available through the Hanesbrands Box Office and may be purchased by visiting http://rhodesartscenter.tix.com, by calling (336) 747‐1414, or in person at the Hanesbrands Box Office. All tickets $18.50, or purchase a Family 4-Pack for $64. (Savings of $10!)

Beatrix Potter has been delighting the imaginations of young readers for generations, so come delight your senses with Artistic Director and Choreographer Gary Taylor’s loveable, endearing ballet. The adventures of Jeremy Fisher and Pigling Bland come to vibrant life on stage thanks to the incredibly detailed mask making of master artist Joe Seely. Not only are the masks “a door through which the wearer can explore a new identity,” as Seely puts it, but they also become a door through which the audience can access the story. Jemima Puddleduck, Mrs. Tigglywinkle, and—of course—Peter Rabbit himself are just a few of the literary favorites you’ll encounter along the way in this charming ballet, narrated by Ms. Potter herself as portrayed by UNCSA Faculty Emeritus, Leslie Hunt."

- A Press Release