The sleeping beauty was his most famous ballet and so important for the company. Tim has choreographed works for houston ballets cullen contemporary series and for houston ballet academy, as well as love thing and ragtime dance for texas ballet theater. Martin continued his training at houston ballets ben stevenson academy, where he performed with houston ballet in ben stevensons the nutcracker and stanton welchs cinderella during the 201112 season. After opening the 20152016 season with dracula, tbt buries the count and his brides and awakens the snow queen in this festive journey through. It is the traditional story as brought to life by ben stevenson, o. In 1995, when he was 14, he earned a scholarship from the school of american ballet. We chat about the history of shoes in past productions of the nutcracker and snap some behindthescenes photos with our shoe coordinator, molly searcy. She would quickly rise to principal and danced with houston ballet for the next 20 years. By noreen malone for most people, christmas nutcrackers the kind that look like little men call to mind sugarplum fairies and first trips to the ballet. Together, they performed nutcracker in december 1972. Ben stevenson dancer born 1936, english ballet dancer and. Fort worth, tx texas ballet theater tbt ushers in the holiday season with one of north texas most acclaimed productions, ben stevensons the nutcracker, at bass performance hall throughout december. Jan 18, 2016 houston ballets lauren anderson may have retired nearly ten years ago, but shes still staying busy at the ben stevenson academy. The artistic director in those early days was nini popova.
Read on to learn more about the history of the nutcracker and how they evolved into todays form. Texas ballet theater tbt ushers in the holiday season with one of north texas most acclaimed productions, ben stevensons the nutcracker, at bass performance hall december 9. Ben stevenson american football 19061969, american football player. Nov 26, 2015 this year marks the final year the company presents ben stevensons version of the nutcracker. Dec 24, 2015 ben stevenson s nutcracker still warms the heart houston ballet keeps old characters fresh in final shows of an old chestnut. He is an actor, known for summer holiday 1963 and the daughter of the regiment 1974. Nayara also competed in ballet competitions such as the youth american grand prix yagp finals in new york. One of stevenson s longterm goals was to create an orchestra that specialized in ballet repertoire. Houston ballet principal dancer karina gonzalez as the sugar plum fairy in ben stevensons version of the nutcracker. Ben stevenson was born on april 4, 1936 in portsmouth, hampshire, england as benjamin stevenson.
During the 199596 season, ben stevenson celebrated twenty years as the head of the houston ballet. William newton professional company dancer balletmet. The third and final facet well be discovering in this threepart blog series takes us into the crucial world of ballet footwear. Jan 02, 2016 when ben stevenson created his lavish version for houston ballet in 1990, the company also had a hit. One of stevensons longterm goals was to create an orchestra that specialized in ballet repertoire.
The first was staged in 1976 at jones hall by famed dancer frederic franklin, and the second was staged by ben stevenson with several designs created by peter farmer. The texas ballet theater has announced its 20102011 season its 5oth anniversary, and it comes with the usual nutcracker, of course, but also the return of the nutty nutcracker for one. When it debuted in the late 1800s, the nutcracker was not an immediate success. Featuring glorious scenery and costumes by tony awardwinning designer desmond heeley, ben stevensons breathtaking production of the. Tulsa ballet presents the return of ben stevensons. The ben stevenson setting has been in the estonian national ballet repertory for a few years. Sep 23, 2009 featuring glorious scenery and costumes by tony awardwinning designer desmond heeley, ben stevenson s breathtaking production of the nutcracker is, in the words of the houston chronicle, the. Yet the nutcracker is only a phenomenon in america and canada, despite originating in 1892 in russia, where it was a flop. William newton was born in columbus, ohio, and received his training at new albany ballet company and houston ballet academy. Dracula was first created by choreographer ben stevenson in 1997 as a production cocommissioned by houston ballet and pittsburgh ballet theatre.
Ben stevensons cinderella archives oregon ballet theatre. By noreen malone for most people, christmas nutcrackers the kind that look like little men call to mind. Featuring glorious scenery and costumes by tony awardwinning designer desmond heeley, ben stevensons breathtaking production of the nutcracker is, in the words of the houston chronicle. Tbt is an internationally recognized company built on a rich 53year history.
Saying goodbye to sara webb, houston ballets prima. As the 20152016 ballet season got underway, the history making. Elliott, who has worked with stevenson directly, says the stakes are high. Everything you need to know about the nutcracker through. Up close with houston ballets lauren anderson houston. Houston ballet presents the final season of ben stevenson. Upon his return to buenos aires, he was invited to join julio boccas ballet argentino. Ben stevenson served as artistic director of houston ballet from 1976 to 2003, raising the company from a regional troupe of twenty.
The nutcracker dallas tickets the nutcracker dallas tickets. After 12 years houston ballet welcomes the revival of former artistic director ben stevensons don quixote. They were often given as gifts, and at some point they became associated with christmas season. In 2016, artistic director stanton welch will premiere a new production of the nutcracker, featuring allnew choreography and new sets and costumes by tim goodchild. Houston ballet bids farewell to ben stevensons the.
May, 2019 with music by leo delibes who houston ballet audiences will recall also composed sylvia and with a production created by former houston ballet artistic director ben stevenson, coppelia is a. Houston ballet is preparing for its final performances of ben stevenson s beloved holiday classic, the nutcracker. December 27, 2015, houston ballet bids farewell to ben stevensons beloved production of the nutcracker. Ben stevenson now serves as the artistic director of texas ballet theater in fort worth, texas. Nutcracker season means the beautifully designed, hilariously choreographed version by texas ballet theater artistic director ben stevenson is back in dallas and fort worth along. Coppelia comes back to the wortham houstonia magazine. Curitiba, brazil nayara lopes began dancing at age six. However, nutcracking devices have had a longstemming evolution for a few thousand years. Stevenson was awarded the prestigious adeline genee gold medal, the highest award give to a dancer by the royal academy of dancing.
Stevenson was appointed artistic director of houston ballet. Created by artistic director emeritus ben stevenson, with designs by acclaimed designer. It seemed an appropriate way to celebrate bens 80th year, says stanton welch, houston ballets artistic director. Created by artistic director emeritus ben stevenson, with designs by. This year marks the final year the company presents ben stevensons version of the nutcracker. In 1997, houston ballet artistic director ben stevenson created the title role of dracula for tim. In 1972, houston gave six performances the nutcracker staged by the great frederic. Houston ballets first performance with a live orchestra was with the houston symphony. Discovering stanton welchs the nutcracker part 3 of 3. Nov 24, 2015 in 2016, artistic director stanton welch will premiere a new production of the nutcracker, featuring allnew choreography and new sets and costumes by tim goodchild. Featuring glorious scenery and costumes by tony awardwinning designer desmond heeley, ben stevenson s breathtaking production of the nutcracker is, in the words of the houston chronicle, the. Since january 2007 anderson has taught ballet at the ben stevenson academy in houston. Houston ballet presents nutcracker for final year this.
The history of nutcrackers according to german folklore, nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to your family and protect your home. The legend says that a nutcracker represents power and strength and serves like a trusty watch dog guarding your family from evil spirits and danger. Featuring glorious scenery and costumes by tony awardwinning designer desmond heeley, ben stevensons breathtaking production of the nutcracker is, in the words of the houston chronicle, the crown jewel of holiday entertainment. I much preferred charles cusick smiths beautiful art nouveaux designs to the heavy, dull coloured sets by thomas boyd in the current, stevenson, production. Experience the finale season of ben stevensons the nutcracker.
Nutcrackers are a huge part of christmas decorating. The ubiquitous holiday ballet is a uniquely american phenomenon with a rich history. In the 201416 texas ballet theater professional division, she performed corps roles in ben stevenson o. Houston ballet presents the final season of ben stevensons. For the eighth consecutive season, ben stevensons dreamlike choreography and tchaikovskys enduring score will charm all ages and bring a bit of magic to your christmas celebrations. A new nutcracker, choreographed by ben stevenson of the houston ballet, was added. Read on to learn more about the history of the nutcracker and how th. Dec 20, 2016 the third and final facet well be discovering in this threepart blog series takes us into the crucial world of ballet footwear. Tulsa ballet has performed this production twice most recently in 2012 to sold out. Ben stevenson dancer born 1936, english ballet dancer and artistic director ben stevenson footballer born 1997, english footballer ben stevenson american football 19061969, american football player. Ballet wests new season will feature vampires, starcrossed.
Ben stevenson obe born 4 april 1936, is a former ballet dancer with britains the royal. Tjc presents its 31st annual nutcracker ballet tyler. Ben stevensons production of the nutcracker has been an incredible gift for houston ballet and the city of houston, said houston ballet executive director jim nelson. The nutcracker dallas tickets the nutcracker dallas tour. Ballet wests new season will feature vampires, star. Houston ballet dancers say goodbye to ben stevensons the.
The texas ballet theater has announced its new season, which will feature the debuts of ben stevensons giselle and dracula, as well as. Over the years, there have been several versions of the nutcracker at the houston ballet. Ben stevenson, a native of portsmouth, england, received his dance training at the arts educational school in london. She trained at the school of theatre dance guaira in brazil and later at the american ballet theatre jacqueline kennedy onassis school in new york. Dec 05, 2015 the companys previous nutcracker was choreographed by mai murdmaa, and was dropped before thomas edur took over as director.
He then danced with ballet quad cities for a season before joining oklahoma city ballet in 20. Texas ballet theater presents the holiday classic the nutcracker. In 2006, at age 41, anderson retired from the houston ballet. Oct 19, 2015 ben stevensons production of the nutcracker has been an incredible gift for houston ballet and the city of houston, said houston ballet executive director jim nelson. This production of the nutcracker, which is replacing ben stevensons muchloved, 27yearold staging, is the most expensive undertaking in the companys history. As the 20152016 ballet season got underway, the historymaking. Houston ballet presents nutcracker for final year this christmas. Her last dance on stage was in the nutcracker as the sugar plum fairy, a role she had performed for more than 20 years. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the. Ben stevensons the nutcracker ballet video ballethub. Stevenson has nurtured houston ballet from a small provincial ensemble to one of the nations largest dance companies that has performed to critical acclaim throughout the world. Most ballet companies have their own nutcracker story. Today, however, critics herald the nutcracker as one of the best ballets of all time, earning its name as a holiday classic. Over the next twentyseven years, he choreographed for houston ballet distinguished versions of the full length works swan lake, romeo and juliet, cinderella, the nutcracker, the sleeping beauty, coppelia, don quixote, and original productions of peer gynt, dracula, the snow maiden, and cleopatra.
Stevensons don quixote has been performed at the miller outdoor theater and the woodlands mitchell pavilion. Texas ballet theater tbt ushers in the holiday season with one of north texas most acclaimed productions, ben stevenson s the nutcracker, at bass performance hall december 924, and returning. Ben stevensons nutcracker in tallinn criticaldance. Nov 25, 2015 the houston ballet bids farewell to ben stevenson s beloved production of the nutcracker from nov. When ben stevenson created his lavish version for houston ballet in 1990, the company also had a hit. Texas ballet theater presents ben stevensons the nutcracker. That performance fascinated anderson so much that several months later, at age seven, she started training at houston ballet s ben stevenson academy, and in the same year, on december 28, 1972, she performed in that ballet companys very first production of the nutcracker. At the age of 16, cornejo was the gold medal winner of the viii international dance competition in moscow 1997, the youngest dancer ever in the history of the competition. December 27, 2015, houston ballet bids farewell to ben stevenson s beloved production of the nutcracker. Houston ballet performed stevensons don quixote at the kennedy center in washington, d. Houston ballets lauren anderson may have retired nearly ten years ago, but shes still staying busy at the ben stevenson academy.
Janie parker joined the company in 1976, stevensons first season as artistic director. Jun 30, 2011 the texas ballet theater has announced its new season, which will feature the debuts of ben stevensons giselle and dracula, as well as the new portraits ballet festival, which will close the. When 38year old ben stevenson became artistic director of houston ballet in the fall of 1976, he brought a wealth of training from his youth in england and from formative experiences working with three u. The exchange is particularly meaningful because of the directors shared history. The houston ballet bids farewell to ben stevensons beloved production of the nutcracker from nov. Ben stevensons don quixote is in the repertoires of texas ballet theatre and alberta ballet. Everything you need to know about the nutcracker through the. We honor the ballet for its place in our companys history and the profound impact it has had on generations of dancers and audience members. Houston ballet and houston symphony would continue to perform together for the next several years. Ben stevensons nutcracker still warms the heart houston chronicle. Ben stevenson served as artistic director of houston ballet from 1976 to 2003, raising the company from a regional troupe of twentyeight dancers to an internationally acclaimed ensemble of over fifty artists. He introduces a snow queen just for that section and in this role, nanae marayuma partnered by sergei upkin as the nutcracker prince, lifted my spirits with their exquisite duet set among the snowflake dancers.
It didnt catch on in north america in a big way until the 1960s. Ben stevenson, a decorated and acclaimed ballet dancer, teacher and choreographer, has celebrated over 40 years of accomplishments in american ballet. The strength of the production lies with the dancing from the snowflakes onwards. One origin story attributes the creation of the first nutcracker doll to a craftsman from seiffen. This enchanting production is the perfect festive ballet for the whole family to enjoy.
When she was six years old, anderson s mother took her to a performance of the nutcracker. Ben stevensons cinderella was a company premiere for obt and marked the first fulllength story ballet presented in four years. Benjamin stephenson disambiguation this disambiguation page lists articles about people with the same name. Houston ballet is preparing for its final performances of ben stevensons beloved holiday classic, the nutcracker. Jan 17, 20 in 2006, at age 41, anderson retired from the houston ballet. Ben stevensons nutcracker still warms the heart houston. Since 1963, cincinnati ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, fulllength ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Its shown across the world, including performances of the nutcracker dallas tour the nutcracker dallas history. Watch as our artistic director, li cunxin prepares to return to the stage in queensland ballets production of ben stevensons the nutcracker, alongside the 2017 suncorp wish upon a ballet star. The companys previous nutcracker was choreographed by mai murdmaa, and was dropped before thomas edur took over as director. Texas ballet theater announces 50th anniversary season d. The nutcracker houston tickets the nutcracker houston. Nutcracker dolls originate from late17th century germany, particularly the ore mountains german.
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