OU'S OKLAHOMA FESTIVAL
BALLET TO PRESENT ACT II,
SWAN LAKE WITH FOUR 
OTHER WORKS NOV. 3-12

Courtesy OU Festival Ballet

Photo by Shevaun Williams Photography

OU student Caroline Preskitt, a ballet performance junior from Denver, Colorado, dances the lead role of Odette in Swan Lake, Act II.

An evening of grand and diverse ballet will be presented in November by the School of Dance and University Theatre with this season’s production of Oklahoma Festival Ballet at the University of Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Festival Ballet opens at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, with additional performances are scheduled at 8 p.m. Nov. 4, 9 and 10, and 3 p.m. Nov. 5 and 12. All performances will be held in the Elsie C. Brackett Theatre, 563 Elm Ave., on the OU Norman campus. This production is suitable for all audiences.

“Join us for an exceptional evening of contemporary and classical ballet with Swan Lake, Act II as its centerpiece,” said Michael Bearden, OU School of Dance director. “There is something for everyone on this program from the enchantment of classical storytelling to the intrigue of thought provoking abstract works. We know that audiences will be swept away by our dancers when they see this production.”

In addition, the production includes Simpatico, Harlequinade Pas de Deux, and Estancia. To complete the evening, guest choreographer Trey McIntyre will delight audiences with the premier of his new contemporary ballet, Opaque, Unfazed as he joins School of Dance faculty choreographers Michael Bearden, Jeremy Lindberg, and professor emeritus Steve Brule in creating a memorable, moving evening of ballet.

Oklahoma Festival Ballet répétiteurs are Boyko Dossev, Rebecca Herrin, Mary Margaret Holt and Clara Cravey Stanley, all members of the OU School of Dance faculty. Rehearsal Assistants are Carol Anglin, Alexis Leffel and Barbara Marangon.

Swan Lake Act II is one of four acts from the beloved dramatic ballet first performed at the Maryinsky Theater, St. Petersburg, Russia on Feb. 8, 1895. It is one of the most famous and popular of all classical ballets. Oklahoma Festival Ballet's Swan Lake Act II is choreographed by OU School of Dance faculty after Lev Ivanov, with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and glistening costumes designed by associate professor Lloyd Cracknell.

Opaque, Unfazed by internationally acclaimed choreographer, Trey McIntyre, receives its world premiere with this production. McIntyre took the inspiration for this abstract work primarily from the music of Tonstartssbandht, creating a feeling similar to attempting to see through opaque fabric but being unfazed when one's curiosity is not satisfied.

Simpatico was created by Michael Bearden in 2013 and has been performed across the country and around the world since its' premiere. Simpatico is a work that explores movement based on the assumption that many of us deal with conflict in our family, work and social lives. Although conflict of some form is virtually inevitable for us as humans, this work seeks to display the capacity in us for desiring and working towards unity and a sense of simpatico.

 Harlequinade is a charming, light and comic ballet originally choreographed for Oklahoma Festival Ballet by professor emeritus Steve Brule and restaged for this season by professor Cravey-Stanley. The ballet's theme of love between the Italian Commedia dell'arte characters Harlequin and Columbine is performed as a Pas de Deux.

Estancia is a new work choreographed by associate professor Jeremy Lindberg with stunning Spanish-style costumes designed by associate professor Lloyd Cracknell. The ballet is a fusion of classical and contemporary ballet, with Spanish stylings inspired by Lindberg's background in Flamenco Dance. It is set to the circa 1941 score of driving rhythms and melodies by Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera. 

The cast for the production includes School of Dance students Amber Bailey, Kara Bannister, Olivia Brooks, Micah Bullard, Catherine Cobb, Elena Damiani, Aedan Donovan, Amanda Evans, Sydney Giles, Kendall Glasgow, Joni Keaton, Kieran King, Noah Klarck, Hannah Knorr, Mia Koshansky, Hannah Lecomte, Jessica Liske, Sarah Mack, Ruby Mather, Hannah Mayer, Breanna Mitchell, Robert Montgomery, Mary Morgan, Lacey Moss, Emily Nichols, Julia Payne, Michelle Peterson, Lauren Peterson, Laura Pratt, Caroline Preskitt, Justin Rainey, Colleen Reed, Abigayle Reiber, Chiara Ruff, Julie Russel, Alexandra Smith, Demeri Sutula, Emily Turpin, Joseph Van Harn, Kate Wolfe, Caroline Young and Nicole Young.

The design staff includes Uldarico Sarmiento, scenic designer; Lloyd Cracknell, costume designer; and Carin Brooks, lighting designer. The production staff consists of Michael Bearden, artistic director; Jeremy Lindberg, associate artistic director; Brea Clemons and Christopher Sadler, stage managers; Jeff Baldwin, technical director; Kasey Allee-Foremen, associate producer; and Mary Margaret Holt, producer.

Advance purchase tickets for Oklahoma Festival Ballet are $25 for adult; $20 for senior adult, OU employee and military; and $10 for student, plus processing fee. Tickets at the door are $35 for adult and $15 for student, cash or check only.  Tickets also may be purchased online at theatre.ou.edu, by calling (405) 325-4101 or visiting the OU Fine Arts Box Office in the Catlett Music Center, 500 W. Boyd St.

For accommodations, please call the OU Fine Arts Box Office at (405) 325-4101.