Pennsylvania Ballet
Encyclopedia
Founded in 1963 by Balanchine student and protégée Barbara Weisberger, Pennsylvania Ballet is one of the leading ballet companies in the United States. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the company’s annual local season features six programs of classic favorites and new works, including the Philadelphia holiday tradition, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
™. The company’s Artistic Director is former principle dancer Roy Kaiser.
A leader in the regional ballet movement of the 1960s, the company performed in the national spotlight for the first time in 1968 at New York City Center
– a highly successful debut that led to a decade of national touring, appearances on PBS
’ “Dance in America” series, and a stint as the official company of the Brooklyn Academy of Music
during the 1970s. From 1987 to 1989, Pennsylvania Ballet forged an alliance with Milwaukee Ballet
in an unprecedented venture to create one company. The new organization, with 43 dancers and a greatly expanded repertoire, was the first in the country to offer its dancers year-round employment.
In 1995, the trustees of Pennsylvania Ballet selected its first homegrown artistic director, Roy Kaiser. A former company member hired in 1979 by Barbara Weisberger, Kaiser rose through the ranks from Corps de Ballet to Soloist to Principal by 1990. Following his retirement from the stage in 1992, Kaiser served as Principal Ballet Master and Associate Artistic Director under Christopher d’Amboise before being named to his current position.
Under Kaiser’s leadership, the company has expanded its Balanchine-based repertoire to include bold, innovative new works from both established and emerging choreographers. New works have included premieres of original ballets from choreographers like Merce Cunningham
, Christopher d’Amboise, Trey McIntyre
, Matthew Neenan, David Parsons, Val Caniparoli, Benjamin Millepied
, and Christopher Wheeldon
, as well as the highly acclaimed 40th anniversary commission of Swan Lake
by Christopher Wheeldon and the 2007 world premiere of Matthew Neenan’s Carmina Burana
. Currently employing 37 dancers, Pennsylvania Ballet annually presents a season of six programs (including George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ ) that balance classic ballets with new works that challenge the dancers and attract a diverse audience. The company also tours throughout Pennsylvania and the East Coast
to venues such as New York City Center and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
. It made its international debut at the Edinburgh International Festival
in August 2005.
, which was released in 2010.
In the 2011-2012 seasons the Pennsylvania Ballet will be performing six shows. These shows will be located at the Academy of Music
and the Merriam Theater. No touring schedule for the season has been announced. Along with these performances the Pennsylvania Ballet II, the company’s pre-professional program will be performing outreach and educational performances.
Principals
Soloists
Corps de Ballet
Roy Kaiser is the Artistic Director of Pennsylvania Ballet. He was a principle dancer for the company until 1992 when he retired to become the PAB Ballet Master. Roy Kaiser has been said to have had a very influential effect on this company. He also participates in other programs such as the New York Choreographic Institute.
Jeffery Gribler has been the Ballet Master since 1986. He started with his career in the Pennsylvania Ballet in 1975 when he became an apprentice. He then worked his way up to principle dancer.
Tamara Hadley is a former Pennsylvania Ballet Principle Dancer after joining the company in 1975
William DeGregory is a former Pennsylvania Ballet Principle Dancer he became the director of Pennsylvania Ballet II when it was first created in 2002
Michael Sheridan
has danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet and is now the Assistant to the Artistic Director.
Matthew Neenan is Pennsylvania Ballet’s first choreographer in Residence. He danced for the company from 1994-2007
The Nutcracker (Balanchine)
Choreographer George Balanchine's production of Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker has become the most famous stage production of the ballet performed in the U.S. The Balanchine Nutcracker uses the plot of the Alexandre Dumas, père version of E.T.A...
™. The company’s Artistic Director is former principle dancer Roy Kaiser.
Company History
Pennsylvania Ballet was established in 1963 by Barbara Weisberger, a protégée of George Balanchine, through a Ford Foundation initiative to develop regional professional dance companies, and has been at the forefront of American dance since that year. A leading Philadelphia cultural institution, the company has earned a national reputation for its impassioned artistry and technical virtuosity, and has received widespread critical acclaim for its performances of a diverse classical and contemporary repertoire with a Balanchine base. The energy and exuberance of its versatile dancers are the company’s enduring signature.A leader in the regional ballet movement of the 1960s, the company performed in the national spotlight for the first time in 1968 at New York City Center
New York City Center
New York City Center is a 2,750-seat Moorish Revival theater located at 131 West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues in Manhattan, New York City. It is one block south of Carnegie Hall...
– a highly successful debut that led to a decade of national touring, appearances on PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
’ “Dance in America” series, and a stint as the official company of the Brooklyn Academy of Music
Brooklyn Academy of Music
Brooklyn Academy of Music is a major performing arts venue in Brooklyn, a borough of New York City, United States, known as a center for progressive and avant garde performance....
during the 1970s. From 1987 to 1989, Pennsylvania Ballet forged an alliance with Milwaukee Ballet
Milwaukee Ballet
The Milwaukee Ballet is a professional ballet company located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. It was founded in 1969 by Roberta Boorse and held its first performance on April 24, 1970. It is currently ranked among the top twelve ballet companies in the United States...
in an unprecedented venture to create one company. The new organization, with 43 dancers and a greatly expanded repertoire, was the first in the country to offer its dancers year-round employment.
In 1995, the trustees of Pennsylvania Ballet selected its first homegrown artistic director, Roy Kaiser. A former company member hired in 1979 by Barbara Weisberger, Kaiser rose through the ranks from Corps de Ballet to Soloist to Principal by 1990. Following his retirement from the stage in 1992, Kaiser served as Principal Ballet Master and Associate Artistic Director under Christopher d’Amboise before being named to his current position.
Under Kaiser’s leadership, the company has expanded its Balanchine-based repertoire to include bold, innovative new works from both established and emerging choreographers. New works have included premieres of original ballets from choreographers like Merce Cunningham
Merce Cunningham
Mercier "Merce" Philip Cunningham was an American dancer and choreographer who was at the forefront of the American avant-garde for more than 50 years. Throughout much of his life, Cunningham was considered one of the greatest creative forces in American dance...
, Christopher d’Amboise, Trey McIntyre
Trey McIntyre
Trey McIntyre is an American dancer and choreographer. McIntyre was born in Wichita, Kansas. He trained at North Carolina School of the Arts and Houston Ballet Academy...
, Matthew Neenan, David Parsons, Val Caniparoli, Benjamin Millepied
Benjamin Millepied
Benjamin Millepied is a French danseur, best known for his work as choreographer in the movie Black Swan .-Early life:...
, and Christopher Wheeldon
Christopher Wheeldon
Christopher Wheeldon is an international choreographer of contemporary ballet. Born in Somerset, England, to an engineer and a physical therapist, Wheeldon began training to be a ballet dancer at the age of 8. He attended the Royal Ballet School between the ages of 11 and 18...
, as well as the highly acclaimed 40th anniversary commission of Swan Lake
Swan Lake
Swan Lake ballet, op. 20, by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, composed 1875–1876. The scenario, initially in four acts, was fashioned from Russian folk tales and tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse. The choreographer of the original production was Julius Reisinger...
by Christopher Wheeldon and the 2007 world premiere of Matthew Neenan’s Carmina Burana
Carmina Burana
Carmina Burana , Latin for "Songs from Beuern" , is the name given to a manuscript of 254 poems and dramatic texts mostly from the 11th or 12th century, although some are from the 13th century. The pieces were written principally in Medieval Latin; a few in Middle High German, and some with traces...
. Currently employing 37 dancers, Pennsylvania Ballet annually presents a season of six programs (including George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ ) that balance classic ballets with new works that challenge the dancers and attract a diverse audience. The company also tours throughout Pennsylvania and the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
to venues such as New York City Center and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts center located on the Potomac River, adjacent to the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C...
. It made its international debut at the Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh International Festival
The Edinburgh International Festival is a festival of performing arts that takes place in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, over three weeks from around the middle of August. By invitation from the Festival Director, the International Festival brings top class performers of music , theatre, opera...
in August 2005.
Present
Fourteen members of Pennsylvania Ballet appeared as the corps in the film Black SwanBlack Swan (film)
Black Swan is a 2010 American psychological thriller film directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel and Mila Kunis. Its plot revolves around a production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake ballet by a prestigious New York City company. The production requires a ballerina to...
, which was released in 2010.
In the 2011-2012 seasons the Pennsylvania Ballet will be performing six shows. These shows will be located at the Academy of Music
Academy of Music (Philadelphia)
The Academy of Music, also known as American Academy of Music, is a concert hall and opera house located at Broad and Locust Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1857 and is the oldest opera house in the United States that is still used for its original purpose...
and the Merriam Theater. No touring schedule for the season has been announced. Along with these performances the Pennsylvania Ballet II, the company’s pre-professional program will be performing outreach and educational performances.
PrincipalsPrincipal dancerA principal dancer is a dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company....
- Amy Aldridge
- Zachary Hench
- Alexander Iziliaev
- Riolama Lorenzo
- Arantxa Ochoa
- Francis Veyette
SoloistsSoloist (ballet)In ballet, a soloist is a dancer in a ballet company above the corps de ballet but below principal dancer....
- Ian Hussey
- James Ihde
- Jermel Johnson
- Abigail Mentzer
- Brooke Moore
- Barette Vance
- Lauren Fadeley
- Gabriella Yudenich
Corps de BalletCorps de balletIn ballet, the corps de ballet is the group of dancers who are not soloists. They are a permanent part of the ballet company and often work as a backdrop for the principal dancers. A corps de ballet works as one, with synchronized movements and corresponding positioning on the stage...
- Samantha Barczak
- Edward Barnes
- Laura Bowman
- Daniel Cooper
- Caralin Curcio
- Andrew Daly
- Lillian Di Piazza
- Megan Dickinson
- Holly Lynn Fusco
- Rachael Jambois
- Evelyn Kocak
- Rachel Maher
- Lorin Mathis
- Jong Suk Park
- Alex Ratcliffe-Lee
- Tyler Savoie
- Jonathan Stiles
- Amir Yogev
Apprentices
- Lara Clemens
- Alexandra Hughes
- Elizabeth Mateer
- Alexander Peters
- Eric Trope
Pennsylvania Ballet II
Pennsylvania Ballet II was created in 2002 by Joyce and Herbert Kean. This part of the company was created as a pre-professional training company. The dancers in this program practice frequently with the company and are used as dancers in the larger productions. They are under the direction of William DeGregory and consist of eight members. Pennsylvania Ballet II also is involved with many outreach and educational programs.Outreach Programs
Over the past several years, Pennsylvania Ballet has increased its reach through creative programming initiatives such as the Family Matinee Series, the Prologue Lecture Series, and its outreach and education program, Accent on Dance, which serves over 11,000 children each year. Pennsylvania Ballet II does around 25 shows for the surrounding Philadelphia communities. Other Out Reach programs include ticket give away to participating schools, studio tours, and school shows.Artistic Staff
- Artistic Director Roy Kaiser
- Ballet Master Jeffery Gribler
- Ballet Mistress Tamara Hadley
- Director of Pennsylvania Ballet II William DeGregory
- Assistant to Artistic Director Michael SheridanMichael SheridanMichael Sheridan is an Australian jazz/punk/noise guitarist who sometimes performs as Scaleshack and has been a member of several bands since 1975 including No with Ollie Olsen and Marie Hoy, which were described as One of Australias most compelling stage acts incorporatin speed metal, hip hop...
- Choreographer in Residence Matthew Neenan
Roy Kaiser is the Artistic Director of Pennsylvania Ballet. He was a principle dancer for the company until 1992 when he retired to become the PAB Ballet Master. Roy Kaiser has been said to have had a very influential effect on this company. He also participates in other programs such as the New York Choreographic Institute.
Jeffery Gribler has been the Ballet Master since 1986. He started with his career in the Pennsylvania Ballet in 1975 when he became an apprentice. He then worked his way up to principle dancer.
Tamara Hadley is a former Pennsylvania Ballet Principle Dancer after joining the company in 1975
William DeGregory is a former Pennsylvania Ballet Principle Dancer he became the director of Pennsylvania Ballet II when it was first created in 2002
Michael Sheridan
Michael Sheridan
Michael Sheridan is an Australian jazz/punk/noise guitarist who sometimes performs as Scaleshack and has been a member of several bands since 1975 including No with Ollie Olsen and Marie Hoy, which were described as One of Australias most compelling stage acts incorporatin speed metal, hip hop...
has danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet and is now the Assistant to the Artistic Director.
Matthew Neenan is Pennsylvania Ballet’s first choreographer in Residence. He danced for the company from 1994-2007
Schedule for 2011-2012 season
- Russian Suite Ratmansky & Balanchine October 20-23 2011 located at the Academy of MusicAcademy of Music (Philadelphia)The Academy of Music, also known as American Academy of Music, is a concert hall and opera house located at Broad and Locust Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1857 and is the oldest opera house in the United States that is still used for its original purpose...
- George Balanchine’s The NutcrackerThe Nutcracker (Balanchine)Choreographer George Balanchine's production of Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker has become the most famous stage production of the ballet performed in the U.S. The Balanchine Nutcracker uses the plot of the Alexandre Dumas, père version of E.T.A...
™ December 10-31 2011 located at the Academy of Music - Pushing Boundaries February 9-12 2012 located at the Merriam Theater
- Messiah March 9-17 2012 located at the Academy of Music
- Peter Pan May 3-13 2012 located at the Academy of Music
- N.Y. Export Opus Jazz May 31-June 3 2012 located at the Merriam Theater