Ballet Theatre Company will host their next black-box performance, ‘Up Close: Spring’ in their West Hartford studio on May 13 and 14.

Submitted

Ballet Theatre Company, BTC, has announced the second of their black-box performances, “Up Close: Spring.” Performances will occur on May 13 and May 14 at 7 p.m. at Ballet Theatre Company’s Ron and Nancy Compton Studio in West Hartford.

The intimate performance will feature a variety of repertoire, including contemporary, modern, classical and neo-classical. There will also be a post-performance talk-back discussion with one of the featured choreographers.

“Up Close: Spring”will be the second live audience performance to be hosted in its Ron and Nancy Compton studio. Choreographers include Kate St. Amand, Paul Mejia, and Marius Petipa.

St. Amand is responsible for choreographing two contemporary/modern works that will be shown at “Up Close: Spring,” – “Dixit Dominus” and “Happiness Doesn’t Wait.” Both performances focus on the importance of mindfulness.

“This work is inspired by the absence of breath. It is a tribute to those who have suffered, and a practice in gratitude for every breath we are able to take,” St. Maud says of “Dixit Dominus.”

“Serenade in A” was choreographed by BTC’s Artistic Advisor Paul Mejia and staged by dancer Maria Terezia Balogh. The piece, which first premiered in 1981, features a quartet of female dancers to Igor Stravinsky.

“Bluebird Pas de Deux” comes from the Act IV wedding scene in “Sleeping Beauty.” Choreographed by Marius Petipa, BTC’s rendition will be performed by resident company dancers Gennaro Della Ragione & Victoria Jaenson (Friday) and Gennaro Della Ragione and Naomi Langill (Saturday).

The state-of-the-art Ron and Nancy Compton Studio, complete with rehearsal space and a black-box theater, was built in January 2020 thanks to Ron and Nancy Compton, Adam Hetnarski, Flynn Development, The Maximilian E and Marion O Hoffman Foundation, and BTC’s Reaching the Pointe fundraising campaign.

BTC has partnered with Gastropark for this event. The first 60 ticket buyers for the show will receive a free drink at the Gastropark following the performance on May 13 or 14. The Gastropark is an indoor/outdoor food playground, located at 637 New Park Ave. in West Hartford, where one can enjoy an ever-changing selection of local food trucks and a great selection of craft beers and wine.

To purchase either in-person or virtual tickets to “Up Close: Spring” click here.

COVID policy: The health and safety of our staff, dancers, students, patrons, and audiences continue to be the highest priority for Ballet Theatre Company. We ask all patrons to show proof of vaccinations at the door and to wear a mask. Anyone who fails to adhere to these protocols will be asked to leave. We thank you for your support and cooperation in keeping our community safe during this time.

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