Go Behind the Scenes with Ballet Arizona

Ballet Arizona and its artistic director, Ib Andersen, are world-renowned as two of the most innovative and provocative forces in the world of dance. Many Arizona residents will partake in the tradition of attending a Nutcracker performance, but Ballet Arizona’s performances also include Balanchine pieces, storybook romances, works by modern masters and original ballet performances at Desert Botanical Garden.

Ballet Arizona is on a mission to educate donors and attendees about these performances. A few weeks prior to the opening of a new ballet, the public is invited to Studio Spotlight, an intimate rehearsal during which Andersen and Ballet Arizona dancers discuss the upcoming performance.

Prima Circle donors are able to experience another level of learning with events held just before each Studio Spotlight. Over cocktails and appetizers, Prima Circle members are treated to a fun social event where ballet insights and insider information are dispensed by Andersen and Ballet Arizona’s roster of professional dancers.

In the past, Prima Circle members have learned how challenging it is to choreograph a ballet to the music of Pink Floyd and how the choreographer of La Bayadère fled two countries after his participation in two love triangles. Members also learned why Ballet Arizona and Andersen are frequent topics for The New York Times dance critic Alastair Macaulay.

Phil Cram and Kay Martens, Prima Circle members.

UPCOMING PRIMA CIRCLE AND STUDIO SPOTLIGHT EVENTS INCLUDE:

All Balanchine – Fri., April 28, Dorrance Theatre
Topia – Tues., May 23, Dorrance Theatre

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES BY BALLET ARIZONA:

Today’s Masters – March 23 – 26, Orpheum Theatre
All Balanchine – May 11 – 14, Symphony Hall
Topia, An Evening at the Garden – May 23 – June 10, Desert Botanical Garden

For information about joining the Prima Circle, contact Jami Kozemczak at 602-343-6520.

For tickets to Studio Spotlight, call the Ballet Arizona box office at 602-381-1096 or visit balletaz.org.