Opening Night 2018
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
“A Whirl of Premieres, From Jookin to Jetés”
-The New York Times
Performance Details
NOW: Premieres presents a collection of new works commissioned by the Festival from some of today’s most renowned and emerging choreographers and performed by artists from ballet, modern, and contemporary dance. The 2018 choreographers will include: New York City Ballet Resident Choreographer Justin Peck in collaboration with the Festival’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Leonard Bernstein Composer-In-Residence Caroline Shaw; New York City Ballet principal Lauren Lovette; MacArthur ‘genius’ grant recipient and founder of pioneering tap company Dorrance Dance, Michelle Dorrance; emerging ballet choreographer Claudia Schreier, who will be working with dancers from Ballet Hispánico; modern dancers and choreographers Silas Riener and Rashaun Mitchell; and New York City Ballet principal Tiler Peck, who will be making her choreographic debut. Live music for NOW: Premieres will be performed by musicians including Kate Davis, Cameron Grant, Kurt Crowley, and string quartet Brooklyn Rider, who will premiere a new Festival commission by acclaimed composer Gabriela Lena Frank as the score for one of the new dance works.
This evening features a co-commissioned world premiere from Vail Dance Festival and American Ballet Theatre (ABT) by tap dancer Michelle Dorrance on ABT dancers and other Festival artists.
Featured Dancers to Include:
Alban Lendorf, American Ballet Theatre
Ashly Isaacs, New York City Ballet
Lyvan Verdecia, Ballet Hispánico
Melissa Fernandez, Ballet Hispánico
Calvin Royal III, American Ballet Theatre
Carla Körbes
Lil Buck, Memphis Jooker
Cory Stearns, American Ballet Theatre
Dario Natarelli, Tap Dancer
Devon Teuscher, American Ballet Theatre
Harrison Coll, New York City Ballet
Herman Cornejo, American Ballet Theatre
India Bradley, New York City Ballet
Isabella Boylston, American Ballet Theatre
Jared Angle, New York City Ballet
Lauren Lovette, New York City Ballet
Melissa Toogood, Pam Tanowitz Dance
Miriam Miller, New York City Ballet
Misa Kuranaga, Boston Ballet
Patricia Delgado
Preston Chamblee, New York City Ballet
Rashaun Mitchell, Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener
Roman Mejia, New York City Ballet
Ron “Prime Tyme” Myles, Memphis Jooker
Silas Riener, Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener
Tiler Peck, New York City Ballet
Ticketing
Reserved Seating
$50-105, based on availability.
Lawn Ticketing
$23 for 18 years and older. Children ages 13-17 are $10 and 12 and under are FREE on the lawn.
Encore Club Pass | $180
Good for one lawn ticket to each performance at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail (9 shows total).
Ability to purchase discounted guest lawn passes and Dance for $20.18 tickets, $25 seat upgrades and more!
One free beverage at each performance.
Student & Faculty Lawn Pass | $75
Good for one lawn ticket to each performance at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail (9 shows total).
Pass-holder must be a student or faculty member with a valid ID.
$2 per ticket fee will apply and additional fees are assessed with online transactions.
Other Performances
Festival Fan Club
The Festival Fan Club is available year-round and includes early access ticketing for Dance for $20.17 along with other great benefits! For more information about the Fan Club call 970. 777.2015
Community Arts Access
To learn more about attending a performance through our Community Arts Access program or providing support to eliminate socioeconomic barriers to the arts, please contact Cathy Heller.