BALLETM A K I N G H I S T O R Y 2 0 1 7 - 1 8

SAC RAMENTO

PRESIDENT’S LETTER2017–2018 SEASON OVERVIEW

Dear Supporters,

For 63 years the Sacramento Ballet has been an integral part of Sacramento’s history. This season will build upon our many successes. Artistic Directors, Ron Cunningham and Carinne Binda, have crafted a remarkable season and, as a fellow aesthete, I wait in eager anticipation.

Join us this season to celebrate Ron and Carinne’s 30 years of dedicated passion to the Sacramento Ballet, the arts community, and the furtherance of this treasured art form.

Although it will be their final season as our company’s artistic directors, they will be honored as the Sacramento Ballet’s first Artistic Directors Emeritus upon the conclusion of this season. Their impact, their legacy has changed the face of this community and we will always be grateful.

Before we reach this next chapter, witness the masterworks of George Balanchine, say hello to old friends, Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy, revisit some of Ron Cunningham’s classics, and warm up in the spring with our Red Hot productions.

As a subscriber, you will receive premium pricing and priority seating to provide you with the very best experience.

Witness the magic. Celebrate our history. Become a part of our future.

Nancy Garton Sacramento Ballet Board President

Beer & Ballet October 13–15, 20–22, & 27–29, 2017

Sacramento Ballet’s talented artists create off-the-charts entertainment with untamed imagination.

The Nutcracker December 9–10, 15–17, & 22–23, 2017

The most beloved of all Sacramento traditions, Ron Cunningham’s delightful The Nutcracker is the “Crown Jewel” of holiday entertainment.

Giselle February 16–18, 2018

The universal message of trust, commitment, forgiveness, and the cleansing transcendence of selfless love are values as timely today as in the 19th century.

Carmina Burana / Serenade March 23–25, 2018

Ron Cunningham’s epic, larger-than-life spectacle set to the soaring live music of Carl Orff is the signature masterwork of the Sacramento Ballet. George Balanchine’s famous quote, “see the music, hear the dance,” is eloquently illustrated in his first great masterpiece created on American soil.

Modern Masters: Red Hot Blood Rush / Bolero / Fluctuating Hemlines May 11–13, 2018

Ma Cong’s visceral Blood Rush set to the sizzling music of Latin composer Astor Piazzola, defines the word hot! Ron Cunningham’s Bolero perfectly captures the relentless drive of Ravel’s pulsating score. Witty, urbane, sophisticated, and deliciously irreverent, Fluctuating Hemlines’ 1960s fashion collides with 21st century morés.

The Genius of Balanchine June 1–3, 7–10, & 16–17, 2018

Experience a wealth of brilliant excerpts from George Balanchine in the intimate setting of the Sacramento Ballet studios. “Dance is music made visible.” —George Balanchine

SEASON SPONSORS:

SUPPORTED BY JIM HARGROVE

ARTISTIC DIRECTORS’ MESSAGE

Dear Friends,

Carinne and I came to Sacramento three decades ago with a vision to create excellence in art that was accessible to the entire community. Our vision embraced an eclectic and diverse repertory that entertained, educated, and inspired through my original choreography, our staging of classical masterpieces, the genius of Balanchine, and the very best and most gifted contemporary choreographers working in the nation today.

Our community outreach programs have provided children and underserved communities with access to the beauty and power of dance, engaging their hopes, dreams, and aspirations to reach beyond to the stars. The many thousands of children from a wide diversity of backgrounds and ethnicities who have graced our stage in our annual productions of The Nutcracker, have inspired us as they have inspired audiences.

Most of all, we are proud of our dancers who we have had the privilege to teach, coach, and mentor over the last 30 years. Time and time again, visiting choreographers have told us the aesthetic culture we have nurtured among our dancers is extraordinary and provided them with artists completely engaged in the creative process. We are proud of all we have accomplished and are grateful for the support and love the community has given back to us.

Thank you for 30 years of support and beautiful memories.

Ron & Carinne Artistic Directors

ARTISTIC DIRECTORS’ MESSAGE (CONTINUED)

Ron Cunningham and Carinne Binda

Original Choreography and Staging The Nutcracker, Nutty Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, The Tempest, Giselle, Don Quixote, La Fille Mal Gardée, Dracula, The Great Gatsby, Peter Pan, Coppélia, Alice in Wonderland, A Streetcar Named Desire, Medea, The Firebird, Carmen, Les Noces, Carmina Burana, Etosha, Rite of Spring, Boléro, By George, Estuary, Barber’s Adigo, Requiem, A Woman’s Journey; the Tamsen Donner Story, Jeu de Cartes, Incident at Blackbriar, Can-Can, Songs of the Auvergne, Winter Fragments, Summerset, Peter & The Wolf, Rough Draft, Tangos, Graduation Ball, Raggedy Ann & Andy, Ebony Concerto, Tubby the Tuba, Ten to One, A Tale of Peter Rabbit, Hoe Down, Symphonic Variations, Mozart Divertimento, In Search of, American Salute, Tchaikovsky Variations, Seven Deadly Sins.

Masterworks of George Balanchine

Apollo, Agon, Allegro Brilliante, Concerto Barocco, Donizetti Variations, The Four Temperaments, La Sonnambula, Prodigal Son, Rubies, Scotch Symphony, Serenade, Stars and Stripes, Tarantella, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Theme and Variations, Valse Fantaisie, Who Cares?, Western Symphony.

Guest Choreographers

Ma Cong, Twyla Tharp, Septime Webre, Trey McIntyre, Amy Seiwert, Val Canaparoli, Arthur Mitchell, John Clifford, Stoner Winslett, Dwight Rhoden, Agnes de Mille, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Ashley Walton, Matthew Neenan, Glen Tetley, Lambros Lambrou, Nolan T’Sani, Jared Nelson, Brian Reeder, John Selya, Molly Lynch, Parrish Maynard, Robert Kelley, David Fernandez, Viktor Kabaniaev, Stephanie Martinez, Gina Patterson, Steven Mills, Gabrielle Lamb, Ron De Jesus, KT Nelson, Alan Hineline, Melissa Barak, Lila York, Sidra Bell, Ilana Goldman.

Tours

International tour to the People’s Republic of China, Canada, Hawaii, annual tours to Fresno.

Innovative Programming

Beer & Ballet, Modern Masters, Second Saturdays, Genius I & II, Red Hot Dance, Capital Choreography Competition, Snap Shots I & II, Inside the Directors Studio, Women Speak, Living Sculpture.

Community Engagement & Education

Nutcracker School Matinee performances, Magic of The Nutcracker, Community Event Performances, Dance Power, Discover Dance, Davis Arts Center Outreach, Shriners Hospital Visits, C.K. McClatchy & Hiram Johnson High School Residencies, In-Studio Elementary School Visits, Barbara Crockett “Send a Child to the Ballet” Legacy Fund, Any Given Child Assemblies, Leaps & Bounds, Boys & Girls Clubs, Mustard Seed, Sutter Health Hospital visits, Pre-Performance lectures, Post Performances Q & A’s.

School of the Sacramento Ballet

Founder of the School of the Sacramento Ballet, Sacramento Ballet Youth Ensemble, Regional Dance America/Pacific, Annual School Demonstration, Summer Intensive, Summer Workshop, Private Training Session, Dance Camps, In Residence at Davis Arts Center.

Awards

Recipient of the 2012 “Lifetime Achievement” award from the Sacramento Arts & Business Council, Mayor’s Award, multiple awards for arts excellence, Jerome Robbins New Essential Works Program.

“THANK YOU FOR 30 YEARS OF SUPPORT AND BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES.”

#GRITANDGRACEBallet—it’s not as easy as it looks! Ballet has been ranked as one of the most difficult art forms and athletic feats to master. Our dancers have been training for decades to make it look graceful. Collectively, our company dancers have put in over one million hours of training, which manifests in the master works we put on stage. Each dancer and each production is a true expression of grit and grace.

Behind the scenes, our production, operations, administration, wardrobe and community partners are dedicated to do the same—make these events seem effortless. Much like the art itself, each production involves hundreds of hours of work by talented designers, technicians and staff. That’s a lot of heavy lifting!

The final lift? That comes from YOU! You put us in motion; you allow us to live our dreams. Please consider making a donation in support of our season and enjoy what you have made possible. We will be thanking you all along the way and offer you the benefits that come with being a donor.

For more information, please visit

www.sacballet.org/support or contact

Erica Kobbe at (916) 732-3670 or

Erica@sacballet.org.

ALIGN YOUR LIFT

The Company

Fund the Excellence.

Donate to support our dancers, choreographers and productions.

The School

Fund the Future.

Donate to support the next generation of ballet.

The Outreach

Fund the Inspiration.

Donate today to gift a child with education and the experience of ballet.

THE SACRAMENTO BALLET IS A REGISTERED 501(c)(3). GIFTS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. EIN #94-1674349

BEER & BALLETOctober 13–15, 20–22, 27–29, 2017 Fry-Paoletti Stage at Sacramento Ballet

Think ballet is formal and stuffy? Think again! Beer & Ballet, with compelling dance created by Sacramento Ballet’s talented artists, invent bold, off-the-charts entertainment with untamed imagination. Feed your spirit and quench your thirst with a cool brew from Ruhstaller. How perfect!

R A I S E Y O U R G L A S SBEER & BALLET

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GISELLEFebruary 16–18, 2018 Community Center Theater

The Paris premiere of Giselle in 1841 stands as the undisputed masterpiece of 19th century romantic ballet. Contrasting good and evil, realism and mysticism, audiences were stunned by Giselle’s surreal beauty as, for the first time, ballerinas rose up on pointe seemingly to float above the ground in ethereal grace. Giselle’s universal message of trust, commitment, forgiveness, and the cleansing transcendence of selfless love are values as timely today as in the 19th century.

Join us 45 minutes before

each production of Giselle for a

free lecture from Artistic Director,

Ron Cunningham!

THE NUTCRACKERDecember 9–10, 15–17, 22–23, 2017 Community Center Theater

The most beloved of all Sacramento traditions, Ron Cunningham’s delightful The Nutcracker is the “Crown Jewel” of holiday entertainment. Clara’s fearless battle with the Mouse King, the soaring Magic Balloon, the sparkling Snowflake Forest, the delicious Kingdom of the Sweets, and the radiant elegance of the Sugar Plum Fairy have been creating cherished family memories for three decades.

Select performances will feature live music by the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra.

Enhance your Nutcracker experience for free! Check

out our website to find out

which shows offer a pre-

performance presentation!

www.sacballet.org/nutcracker

GET YOUR POSTERS SIGNED!Ron Cunningham & Carinne Binda autographed season posters will be on sale and available at every production!

MODERN MASTERS: RED HOTMay 11–13, 2018 Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College

Blood Rush

Ma Cong’s visceral Blood Rush set to the sizzling music of Latin composer Astor Piazzola, defines the word hot!

Bolero

Ron Cunningham’s Bolero perfectly captures the relentless drive of Ravel’s pulsating music.

Fluctuating Hemlines

Witty, urbane, sophisticated, and deliciously irreverent, Fluctuating Hemlines’ 1960s fashion collides with 21st century morés.

T R U E L O V E K N O W S N O B O U N D SG ISELLE

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MASTERSR E D H O T P A S S I O N

MODERN

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BALANCHINEG R E A T E S T O F T H E C E N T U R Y

THE GENIUS OF

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THE GENIUS OF BALANCHINEJune 1–3, 7–10, & 16–17, 2018 Fry-Paoletti Stage at Sacramento Ballet

George Balanchine is unquestionably hailed as the greatest choreographer of the 20th century and perhaps of all time. His genius revolutionized classical dance and changed forever how we view this ephemeral art. His influence on dance is immense and often compared to that of Stravinsky in music, and Picasso in art. Experience a wealth of brilliant excerpts from the legendary master in the intimate setting of the Sacramento Ballet studios.

“Dance is music made visible” —George Balanchine

CARMINA BURANAMarch 23–25, 2018 Community Center Theater

Serenade

George Balanchine’s famous quote, “see the music, hear the dance,” is eloquently illustrated in his first great masterpiece created on American soil. Serenade is one of the most beautiful ballets ever created and is an enduring monument to the development of an American aesthetic in dance.

Carmina Burana

Ron Cunningham’s epic, larger-than-life spectacle set to the soaring music of Carl Orff is the signature masterwork of the Sacramento Ballet. Complete with full chorus and orchestra, Carmina Burana’s erotic passion ignites the senses for an intense experience not soon forgotten.

Join us 45 minutes before

each production of Carmina Burana for a free lecture

from Artistic Director,

Ron Cunningham!

TICKETS ON SALE JAN. 2018

TICKETS ON SALE JAN. 2018

technique | strength | discipline

Programs and Levels starting at age 18 months and up

Children’s Division, Student Division, Flex Track, & Academy Track, Sacramento Ballet Youth Ensemble

Boys and Men’s Ballet Training program

Lectures, Workshops and Master Classes

Weekly Adult Classes: Beg.-Inter. Ballet, Fun Fit & Vinyasa Yoga

Summer: Camps, Intensive, Workshops, Private Training Sessions

6 State of the Art Dance Studios and a Black Box Theater

www.sacballet.org/the-schoolschooladmin@sacballet.org

(916) 732-36602420 N Street, Sacramento, CA

Sacramento Ballet Youth Ensemble, Member of Regional Dance America/Pacific Region

Photos and Design by Valerie Febre Yap Studios | vfystudios.com

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

BEER & BALLET

10/13, 7:00PM 10/20, 7:00PM 10/27, 7:00PM

10/14, 7:00PM 10/21, 7:00PM 10/28, 7:00PM

10/15, 2:00PM 10/22, 2:00PM 10/29, 2:00PM

GISELLE 2/16, 7:30PM 2/17, 7:30PM 2/18, 2:00PM

CARMINA BURANA 3/23, 7:30PM 3/24, 7:30PM 3/25, 2:00PM

SERIES DATES & TIMES

A FLEXIBLE OPTION THE CLASSIC

SEATING SECTIONS ORCH 1 ORCH 2 ORCH 4 GT B GT 1

3-SHOW $196 $170 $108 $206 $176

FLEX PASS $202 — — — —

SEATING SECTIONS ORCH 1 ORCH 2 ORCH 4 GT B GT 1

COMMUNITY CENTER THEATER ORCH A-L ORCH M-S ORCH Z-CC GT J-L GT BOX A-F GT G-I

THE FRY-PAOLETTI STAGE AT SACRAMENTO BALLET ALL SUBSCRIBERS WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY SEATING

2017–2018 SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES

SUBSCRIPTION PRICES & SEATING SELECTIONS

FLEX PASS BUY NOW, PICK LATER FOR $202

BEER & BALLET

GISELLE

CARMINA BURANA

3-SHOW PACKAGE $108–$206 (UP TO 15% OFF)

BEER & BALLET

GISELLE

CARMINA BURANA

CHOOSE YOUR SHOW PACKAGE:

This year, we want your options to be as flexible as we are! The Flex Pass allows you to attend three performances of your choice. You may select your dates now or as the season progresses—whichever is best for you. Tickets may be redeemed for any show listed above, at any time. We will send you reminders to redeem your tickets one month before the start of the production.

All Flex tickets are seated in Orchestra 1.

The greatest hits. The greatest seats. The greatest price. Clear your calendar now and secure consistent seating for your favorite productions.

SINGLE TICKET PRICES

GISELLE ADULT STUDENT (ID REQUIRED)

CHILD (12 & UNDER)

SUBSCRIBERS (ADD-ON)

ORCH 1 $74 $38 $25 $67

ORCH 2 $61 $32 $25 $55

ORCH 3 $46 $25 $25 $42

ORCH 4 $25 $25 $25 $25

GT B $79 $41 $25 $72

GT 1 $64 $32 $25 $58

CARMINA BURANA

ADULT STUDENT (ID REQUIRED)

CHILD (12 & UNDER)

SUBSCRIBERS (ADD-ON)

ORCH 1 $89 $46 $25 $81

ORCH 2 $76 $39 $25 $69

ORCH 3 $59 $31 $25 $54

ORCH 4 $25 $25 $25 $25

GT B $99 $51 $25 $90

GT 1 $79 $41 $25 $72

THE NUTCRACKER (LIVE MUSIC) ADULT STUDENT

(ID REQUIRED)CHILD

(12 & UNDER)SUBSCRIBERS (THROUGH OCT 31ST)

SUBSCRIBERS (AFTER OCT 31ST)

ORCH 1 $89 $46 $25 $75 $81

ORCH 2 $76 $39 $25 $61 $69

ORCH 3 $59 $31 $25 $48 $54

ORCH 4 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25

GT B $99 $51 $25 $83 $90

GT 1 $79 $41 $25 $65 $72

THE NUTCRACKER (RECORDED MUSIC) ADULT STUDENT

(ID REQUIRED)CHILD

(12 & UNDER)SUBSCRIBERS (THROUGH OCT 31ST)

SUBSCRIBERS (AFTER OCT 31ST)

ORCH 1 $74 $38 $25 $63 $67

ORCH 2 $61 $32 $25 $51 $55

ORCH 3 $46 $32 $25 $38 $42

ORCH 4 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25

GT B $79 $41 $25 $65 $72

GT 1 $64 $32 $25 $50 $58

COMMUNITY CENTER THEATER

SAVE UP TO 15% ON GROUPS*

ORCH 1

ORCH 2

ORCH 3

ORCH 4

STAGE

GT 1

GT B GT B

MODERN MASTERS: RED HOT

ADULT SUBSCRIBERS

ORCH 1 $61 $59

PARTERRE $56 $50

BEER & BALLET ADULT SUBSCRIBERS

STUDIO SEATING $59 $54

THE GENIUS OF BALANCHINE

ADULT SUBSCRIBERS

STUDIO SEATING $59 $54

THE FRY-PAOLETTI STAGE AT SACRAMENTO BALLET

HARRIS CENTER FOR THE ARTS AT FOLSOM LAKE COLLEGE STAGE

ORCH 1

PARTERRE

STAGE

STUDIO SEATING

Make your ballet experience more memorable and take advantage of discount pricing for your family, friends, and co-workers. For more information,

visit www.sacballet.org/group-tickets

* SOME LIMITATIONS APPLY

BECOME A SUBSCRIBER!Get up to 17% off Nutcracker tickets purchased by October 31st.

OCTOBER 2017 BEER & BALLET

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

12 13 7:00PM 14 7:00PM 15 2:00PM

19 20 7:00PM 21 7:00PM 22 2:00PM

26 27 7:00PM 28 7:00PM 29 2:00PM

DECEMBER 2017 THE NUTCRACKER

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

7 8 9 2:00PM 7:00PM

10 1:00PM♬ 5:30PM

14 15 7:00PM 16 2:00PM♬ 7:00PM♬

17 1:00PM♬ 5:30PM

21 22 7:00PM♬ 23 2:00PM ♬ 7:00PM♬

24

JANUARY 2018 GALA

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

25 26 27 GALA 28

FEBRUARY 2018 GISELLE

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

15 16 7:30PM 17 2:00PM 7:30PM

18 2:00PM

MARCH 2018 CARMINA BURANA & SERENADE

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

22 23 7:30PM♬ 24 2:00PM♬ 7:30PM♬

25 2:00PM♬

MAY 2018 MODERN MASTERS: RED HOT (TICKETS ON SALE JANUARY 2018)

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

10 11 7:30PM 12 2:00PM 7:30PM

13 2:00PM

JUNE 2018 THE GENIUS OF BALANCHINE (TICKETS ON SALE JANUARY 2018)

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

1 7:00PM 2 7:00PM 3 2:00PM

7 7:00PM 8 7:00PM 9 7:00PM 10 2:00PM

14 15 16 7:00PM 17 2:00PM

2017–2018 CALENDAR SUGAR PLUM FAIRY TEA

ALUMNI SHOW

LIVE MUSIC

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSACRAMENTO, CAPERMIT NO. 1646

SACRAMENTO BALLET 2420 N STREET, SUITE 100 SACRAMENTO, CA 95816

TICKETS@SACBALLET.ORG (916) 552-5810

SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND SAVE!

FOR TICKETS VISIT SACBALLET.ORG OR CALL (916) 552-5810

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

DESIGN: FUEL CREATIVE GROUP / PHOTOGRAPHY: KEITH SUTTER, JAY MATHER, AND KEVIN FISCUS