Theatre of Dreams to Launch Sarasota Ballet Season

SARASOTA – Theatre of Dreams, a program traditionally reserved for the last performance of The Sarasota Ballet’s season, will instead kick-off the 2013-14 calendar, when it opens October 25, for a three-day run at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Each year, this unique program gives audiences an opportunity to experience a more personal side of the company.

The production showcases the original choreography of six Sarasota Ballet Company members: Principals Kate Honea and Logan Learned; Coryphée members Jamie Carter, Kelly Yankle and Alex Harrison; and Corps de Ballet member David Tlaiye.

“Giving our dancers the opportunity to showcase their individuality and creative style is always inspiring to me,” said Iain Webb, Director of The Sarasota Ballet. “It leaves me feeling very proud of them and truly humbled to work with such amazing talent.”

Carter, whose original works have been featured in Theatre of Dreams for the past three years, will again demonstrate his talent with his new work, The Tarot. This 22-minute classical ballet features seven different acts with dances based on the interpretation of several Tarot cards: The Chariot, The Star, The Moon, The Fool, The Lovers and The Hanged Man, with the last moment incorporating them all. Composed by Louis Mander, the music will be performed live with a grand piano and clarinet and has been commissioned especially for this ballet.

Jamie Carter

Kelly Yankle

“This piece is different from my previous works because it’s the first time that I started thinking about a ballet without hearing the music first,” said Carter.

Honea and Learned also return to Theatre of Dreams and will present new works. Honea’s Gallop Gala is a 15-minute period ballet inspired by an 1820’s Viennese ballroom. “It’s royal and regal yet classical at the same time,” said Honea. “As my fourth original work, I felt more confident attempting a more challenging piece.”

Learned’s ballet, Nebulous, is set to the third movement of Composer Philip Glass’s Violin Concerto. The 11-minute neo-classical piece features no storyline; instead, the use of space and movement take center stage. “This year I wanted to create something totally different from last year,” said Learned. “Since last year’s piece was very character-driven, I really wanted to make a piece that was just about the movement through music.”

In their Theatre of Dreams debut, Yankle and Harrison have both choreographed a pas de deux. Yankle’s Ne Me Quitte Pas (Don’t Leave Me Now), is a six-minute ballet set to music by Edith Piaf. Expressing the many internal struggles of relationships, Yankle’s contemporary piece is a sharp contrast to Harrison’s classical eight-minute ballet, The Blue Hour. Fryderyk Chopin’s Nocturne #27 Opus 2, is the perfect framework for Harrison’s romantic reflection of music.

Tlaiye, also making his debut in Theatre of Dreams, will be presenting a short eight-minute ballet entitled Xibalba. Roughly translated as “Place of Fear,” this contemporary work encompasses two men and one woman, and is set to music by the English rock band, Radiohead.

“I believe some people are born with the ability to be amazing chorographers but unfortunately they don’t always get the opportunity to explore that avenue” said Webb. “Theatre of Dreams allows me to give our dancers that chance.”

Theatre of Dreams
FSU Center for the Performing Arts
5555 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34243

Friday, October 25 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 26 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 27 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.