SHOWCASE CIRQUE NBT

NEVADA BALLET THEATRE & CIRQUE DU SOLEIL PRESENT THE SIXTH ANNUAL

A CHOREOGRAPHERS’ SHOWCASE; ARTISTS JOIN FORCES FOR AN ORIGINAL AND DYNAMIC COLLABORATION

 

TWO WEEKENDS ONLY: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 & SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13

A Choreographers’ Showcase is Generously Sponsored by Beano Solomon

 

Highlights include addition of famed modern dance work Read My Hips by choreographer Danny Ezralow to be performed by both Cirque du Soleil and NBT Artists, staged by Mystère Artistic Director David Gomez; special performance by students from NBT’s Education & Outreach Program, Future Dance

 

LAS VEGAS, NV (Thursday, September 19, 2013) – Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) and Cirque du Soleil® present its annual A Choreographers’ Showcase on Sunday, October 6 at 1 pm and Sunday, October 13 at 1 pm at the Mystère Theatre, Treasure Island Resort& Casino, 3300 South Las Vegas Blvd. Tickets can be purchased for $25 and $45 by calling the Mystère Theatre Box Office at (702) 894-7722 or online at www.nevadaballet.org.

 

A one-of-a-kind collaboration that began in 2007 between NBT, the state’s largest performing arts organization and the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil, the sixth annual A Choreographers’ Showcase will make its return to the Mystère Theatre stage with added elements and surprises over two weekends. A benefit for NBT’s main stage productions, training Academy and Education and Outreach programs, this critically-acclaimed production features 51 artists, showcasing their talents in three works by dancers from NBT and five from KÀ, Zarkana and The Beatles LOVE.  

 

“A Choreographers’ Showcase offers a platform for emerging artists from both Cirque du Soleil and NBT to develop and perform original work.  This exciting annual collaboration between the two organizations continues to be an opportunity for us to support the talent in both companies,” says Jerry Nadal, Senior Vice President Resident Shows Division for Cirque du Soleil.

 

This year, as a special addition, celebrated contemporary dance work Read My Hips by internationally recognized dancer and choreographer Danny Ezralow (The Beatles LOVE), will make its Las Vegas debut on the Mystère Theatre stage. Performed by artists from both NBT and Cirque du Soleil, this breakthrough piece debuted in 1990 by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. “We felt that bringing in an established choreographer would allow artists from both companies a new experience and a valuable opportunity – as well as the chance to perform together in a work not choreographed by one of their peers,” says NBT Artistic Director James Canfield. “Danny possesses the knowledge of the contemporary dance arena, yet has a keen understanding of ballet; Read My Hips communicates the diversity as well as the commonalities of both NBT and Cirque du Soleil artists.”

 

Emphasizing the mission of the showcase, a special school matinee will once again be held for students in Clark County as well as those from NBT’s Education and Outreach Program, Future Dance, on Friday, October 4. Since its inception, almost 5,000 local students have received the opportunity to witness this one-of-a-kind production bringing together artists from diverse backgrounds and dance styles. As an added bonus, children will witness their own peers on the Mystère Theatre stage, when 22 students ages 8 to 17 perform a special hip-hop number, choreographed by NBT Education and Outreach Director, Terané Comito. This number will also be performed during both ticketed performances. 

 

“We strive to provide the students of Future Dance unique dance and theatre experiences – as well as additional performance opportunities that they wouldn’t receive otherwise,” said Terané Comito, Director of Education and Outreach for NBT. “Exposure to various artists and choreographers is a key ingredient in their growth and increases their knowledge of the art form.”

For the past five years, this partnership has raised NBT’s visibility among the Las Vegas entertainment industry, while enabling Cirque du Soleil the opportunity to further root itself in the local cultural community. The collaboration has garnered rave reviews and sold-out houses in addition to significant media attention including the LA Times and LIFE Magazine.

“We are excited to once again present the Las Vegas community with this spirited and powerful dance collaboration,” says NBT Executive Director & CEO, Beth Barbre . “Working together, the artists of NBT and Cirque du Soleil have developed performances of surprising creativity and diversity.”

 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW  

Ticket prices for A Choreographers’ Showcase can be purchased for $25 and $45 by calling the Mystère Theatre Box Office at (702) 894-7722 or online www.nevadaballet.org. Purchasing a premium $45 ticket will provide guests with preferred premium seating while supporting the NBT’s Education & Outreach Program, Future Dance. All proceeds from the collaboration benefit NBT’s professional company productions, dance training and education and outreach.

 

ABOUT NEVADA BALLET THEATRE

Under the artistic direction of James Canfield, Nevada Ballet Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the largest professional ballet company and dance Academy in the state. Committed to the highest artistic standards, this classically-based company is at home in an eclectic repertory, moving easily from the classics to the high-energy contemporary ballets. The mission of Nevada Ballet Theatre is to educate and inspire statewide, regional and national audiences and vitally impact community life through professional company productions, dance training and education and outreach. Nevada Ballet Theatre is the Resident Ballet Company of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

 

ABOUT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

Since 1984, the company has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in over 40 countries in more than 300 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,000 performing artists from close to 50 different countries. In Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil has eight permanent resident shows. These productions include Mystère at Treasure Island, “O” at Bellagio, Zumanity, The Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil at New York -New York Hotel& Casino, KÀ at MGM Grand, The Beatles LOVE at The Mirage, CRISS ANGEL Believe at Luxor, Zarkana  at ARIA Resort & Casino and Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.  For more information, visit the Cirque du Soleil website at www.cirquedusoleil.com/lasvegas.  Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cirquedusoleil. Tweet us: @Cirque 

 

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