Events

The season begins with a thrilling sampling of what is to come, featuring appearances by Festival stars including Lil Buck, Michelle Dorrance, and Artist-In-Residence Calvin Royal III, Company-In-Residence BalletX, and, in their first appearance since 2012, the incomparable New York City Ballet MOVES.

Photo by Erin Baiano

FEATURED ARTISTS

Company-In-Residence BalletX: Francesca Forcella, Stanley Glover, Zachary Kapeluck, Blake Krapels, Skyler Lubin, Andrea Yorita, Chloe Perkes, Roderick Phifer, Caili Quan, and Richard Villaverde

New York City Ballet MOVES: Joseph Gordon, Anthony Huxley, Russell Janzen, Lauren Lovette, Roman Mejia, Tiler Peck, Unity Phelan, Aaron Sanz, Gretchen Smith, Abi Stafford, Taylor Stanley, Andrew Veyette, Peter Walker, Adrian Danching-Waring, and Indiana Woodward

Dancers to include: Artist-In-Residence Calvin Royal III, Lil Buck, Michelle Dorrance, Ron Myles, Cory Stearns, Devon Teuscher, Byron Tittle, and Melissa Toogood

Musicians to include: Quartet-In-Residence Brooklyn Rider, Composer-In-Residence Caroline Shaw, Alberta Khoury, and Savannah Harris

Casting and repertory subject to change

New York City Ballet MOVES returns to Vail with an evening of masterpieces. The dynamic touring arm of one of the world’s most influential artistic forces shares the NYCB repertory with audiences around the world. NYCB MOVES will present Jerome Robbins’ revolutionary Dances at a Gathering set to Chopin piano pieces, and Alexei Ratmansky’s acclaimed Pictures at an Exhibition to Mussorgsky’s extraordinary music of the same title.

FEATURED ARTISTS

New York City Ballet MOVES: Joseph Gordon, Anthony Huxley, Russell Janzen, Lauren Lovette, Roman Mejia, Tiler Peck, Unity Phelan, Aaron Sanz , Gretchen Smith, Abi Stafford, Taylor Stanley, Andrew Veyette, Peter Walker, and Indiana Woodward

EVENING’S PROGRAM

Dances at a Gathering
Dances at a Gathering, which premiered in 1969, heralded Jerome Robbins’ return to New York City Ballet after a 13-year absence. Inspired by Chopin’s piano music, Robbins quickly began choreographing in the rehearsal studio. When he showed 25 minutes of choreography to Balanchine, he said, “Make more, make it like popcorn,” pretending to pop popcorn into his mouth. The work eventually expanded to an hour in length with a cast of ten dancers.
Chopin’s mazurkas, waltzes, and études, groundbreaking at the time of their composition, are rooted in the Slavic character of his Polish homeland, yet still convey the elegance of Paris, where they were created. Robbins ultimately used 18 of Chopin’s piano pieces, creating dances for various duets, solos, and larger groupings. “The ballet stays and exists in the time of the music and its work,” wrote Robbins. “Nothing is out of it, I believe; all gestures and moods, steps, etc. are part of the fabric of the music’s time and its meaning to me.”
Music: Frédéric Chopin
Choreography: Jerome Robbins

Pictures at an Exhibition
Created for New York City Ballet during the fall of 2014, Pictures at an Exhibition is Alexei Ratmansky’s fourth work for the Company. Using Modest Mussorgsky’s famed piano score, Pictures at an Exhibition, the ballet includes lighting design by Mark Stanley and the 10 dancers are costumed in designs by fashion designer Adeline Andre, a frequent collaborator of Ratmansky’s.
Music: Modest Mussorgsky
Choreography: Alexei Ratmansky

Photo by Paul Kolnik

Casting and repertory subject to change

In their only Festival appearance, Dorrance Dance presents Myelination, an exhilarating full-company work featuring original, live music. Each extraordinary artist functions as both an ensemble member and improvisational soloist, who are challenged to take risks and achieve new heights of technical and musical execution inside the form of tap dance. Completing this special program are the Bessie-award winning Three to One, and the whimsical Jungle Blues.

FEATURED ARTISTS

Dorrance Dance: Ephrat “Bounce” Asherie, Christopher Broughton, Elizabeth Burke, Warren Craft, Donovan Dorrance, Michelle Dorrance, Aaron Marcellus, Claudia Rahardjanoto, Gregory Richardson, Leonardo Sandoval, Byron Tittle, and Matthew “Megawatt” West

Evening’s Program:

Myelination
Choreographed by Michelle Dorrance, Myelination is a full-company work featuring original, live music by Donovan Dorrance and Gregory Richardson with vocalist Aaron Marcellus.
“Rhythm keeps accumulating and multiplying in Myelination… it’s an exhilarating ensemble piece, including solos and duets, that switches gears from section to section. Most lovable is its inclusiveness: dancers of different races, of widely unalike temperments and couture, coexist calmly here, often in exactly the same intricate meter but sometimes in overlapping sequences and facing separate directions. The live music – with vocals, piano, guitar, percussion and other instruments – is in a range of appealingly melodic jazz styles; its harmony with the dancing is never simple.” – Alastair Macaulay, The New York Times
Choreography: Michelle Dorrance in collaboration with and featuring improvisation by the dancers
Music: Prawn til Dante with vocals by Aaron Marcellus

Jungle Blues
“The world premiere of Jungle Blues unleashed undulating torsos, rolling hips, and shimmying shoulders. Knees and feet swiveled side to side like well-oiled levers, and dancers slid across the floor and balanced on toes. Chris Broughton showed off acrobatic splits and flips.” – Karen Campbell, The Boston Globe
Choreography: Michelle Dorrance with solo improvisation by Christopher Broughton
Music: Branford Marsalis Quartet

Three to One
“An odd, seemingly impossible marriage of tap & modern dance that came off edgy, seductive, and smart.” – Sid Smith, The Chicago Tribune
Choreography: Michelle Dorrance
Music: Aphex Twin, Thom York

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Casting and repertory subject to change

The Festival welcomes Lil Buck and Festival artists and musicians to Avon for a free, family-friendly show on the outdoor stage of the Avon Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park. Celebrate the Beat will also be performing.

FEATURED ARTISTS

Lil Buck and more!

Casting and repertory subject to change

COMPANY-IN-RESIDENCE BALLETX

Following a sold-out performance at the 2015 Festival, Sunset o639 Hours returns to Vail for one night only. This critically acclaimed full-length story ballet transports audiences through a poignant narrative of loss, longing, and paradise, with choreography by Matthew Neenan, and live music by the Sunset Club, a cabaret-style band.

Photo by Alexander Iziliaev

FEATURED ARTISTS

Company-In-Residence BalletX: Francesca Forcella, Stanley Glover, Zachary Kapeluck, Blake Krapels, Skyler Lubin, Andrea Yorita, Chloe Perkes, Roderick Phifer, Caili Quan, and Richard Villaverde

Casting and repertory subject to change

In this rehearsal-style performance, audiences take a step into the dancers’ worlds through a unique behind-the-scenes look at how they prepare for International Evenings of Dance and NOW: Premieres performances. Hosted by Artistic Director Damian Woetzel and featuring Festival luminaries, UpClose will include a special focus on women’s voices and artistic presence in tribute to the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment.

Photo by Christopher Duggan

FEATURED ARTISTS

Artist-In-Residence Calvin Royal III, Michelle Dorrance, Lauren Lovette, Roman Mejia, Mira Nadon, Tiler Peck, Unity Phelan, Bobbi Jene Smith, Devon Teuscher, Melissa Toogood, and James Whiteside

Casting and repertory subject to change

BALLETX, COMPANY-IN-RESIDENCE

The Festival welcomes Company-In-Residence BalletX to Avon for a free, family-friendly show on the outdoor stage of the Avon Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park.

FEATURED ARTISTS

Company-In-Residence BalletX: Francesca Forcella, Stanley Glover, Zachary Kapeluck, Blake Krapels, Skyler Lubin, Andrea Yorita, Chloe Perkes, Roderick Phifer, Caili Quan, and Richard Villaverde

Casting and repertory subject to change

A brilliant cast of dancers from around the world takes the stage in these signature performances. Celebrating artistic collaboration and innovation, these evenings feature new partnerships and role debuts, along with new works by choreographers including Lauren Lovette and Bobbi Jene Smith.

Photo by Christopher Duggan

FEATURED ARTISTS

Dancers to include: India Bradley, Lil Buck, Preston Chamblee, Adji Cissoko, Erica Cornejo, Herman Cornejo, Patricia Delgado, Michelle Dorrance, Naomi Funaki, Joseph Gordon, Christopher Grant, Savannah Green, Kennard Henson, Maria Kochetkova, Carla Körbes, Lauren Lovette, Roman Mejia, Miriam Miller, Michael Montgomery, Ron Myles, Mira Nadon, Dario Natarelli, Justin Peck, Tiler Peck, Unity Phelan, Phyouture, Calvin Royal III, Bobbi Jene Smith, Cory Stearns, KJ Takahashi, Devon Teuscher, Byron Tittle, Melissa Toogood, and James Whiteside

Musicians to include: Quartet-In-Residence Brooklyn Rider, Composer-In-Residence Caroline Shaw, Kate Davis, Cameron Grant, Alberta Khoury, and Davóne Tines

Interested in International Evenings of Dance II? LEARN MORE

Casting and repertory subject to change

A brilliant cast of dancers from around the world takes the stage in these signature performances. Celebrating artistic collaboration and innovation, these evenings feature new partnerships and role debuts, along with new works by choreographers including Lauren Lovette and Bobbi Jene Smith.

Photo by Christopher Duggan

FEATURED ARTISTS

Dancers to include: India Bradley, Lil Buck, Preston Chamblee, Adji Cissoko, Herman Cornejo, Patricia Delgado, Michelle Dorrance, Naomi Funaki, Joseph Gordon, Christopher Grant, Savannah Green, Kennard Henson, Maria Kochetkova, Carla Körbes, Lauren Lovette, Roman Mejia, Miriam Miller, Michael Montgomery, Ron Myles, Mira Nadon, Dario Natarelli, Justin Peck, Tiler Peck, Unity Phelan, Phyouture, Calvin Royal III, Bobbi Jene Smith, Cory Stearns, KJ Takahashi, Devon Teuscher, Byron Tittle, Melissa Toogood, and James Whiteside

Musicians to include: Quartet-In-Residence Brooklyn Rider, Composer-In-Residence Caroline Shaw, Kate Davis, Cameron Grant, Alberta Khoury, and Davóne Tines

Interested in International Evenings of Dance I? LEARN MORE

Casting and repertory subject to change

COMPANY-IN-RESIDENCE BALLETX

Company-In-Residence, BalletX, presents a unique made-for-Vail performance with specially chosen repertory favorites and new works, with an inside look at the dancers and process that have made this contemporary company one of America’s most dynamic artistic enterprises.

Photo by Vikki Sloviter

FEATURED ARTISTS

Company-In-Residence BalletX: Francesca Forcella, Stanley Glover, Zachary Kapeluck, Blake Krapels, Skyler Lubin, Andrea Yorita, Chloe Perkes, Roderick Phifer, Caili Quan, and Richard Villaverde

Casting and repertory subject to change

An evening of new works choreographed by a selection of today’s most inspiring creative voices, including Hope Boykin, Michelle Dorrance, Raja Feather Kelly, Justin Peck, Tiler Peck, and James Whiteside, with music performed by Quartet-In-Residence, Brooklyn Rider, and other extraordinary musicians including Composer-In-Residence, Caroline Shaw.

Photo by Christopher Duggan

FEATURED ARTISTS

Choreographers: Hope Boykin, Michelle Dorrance, Raja Feather Kelly, Lauren Lovette, Justin Peck, Tiler Peck, Bobbi Jene Smith, and James Whiteside

Dancers to include: Company-in-Residence BalletX, Artist-in-Residence Calvin Royal III, Lil Buck, Preston Chamblee, Herman Cornejo, Patricia Delgado, Michelle Dorrance, Naomi Funaki, Kennard Henson, Carla Körbes, Lauren Lovette, Roman Mejia, Miriam Miller, Ron Myles, Mira Nadon, Dario Natarelli, Justin Peck, Tiler Peck, Unity Phelan, Phyouture, Bobbi Jene Smith, Cory Stearns, KJ Takahashi, Devon Teuscher, Byron Tittle, Melissa Toogood, and James Whiteside

Musicians to include: Quartet-In-Residence Brooklyn Rider, Composer-In-Residence Caroline Shaw, Kate Davis, and Davóne Tines

Casting and repertory subject to change

An evening for everyone, featuring a selection of Festival stars and Company-In-Residence BalletX, who will bring the Festival to a rousing conclusion. The evening will be followed by a closing night celebration including music and a dance party. Tickets go on sale June 20th!

Join the Festival Fan Club for early access to all Festival tickets including Dance for $20.20!

Photo by John-Ryan Lockman

FEATURED ARTISTS

Company-In-Residence BalletX: Francesca Forcella, Stanley Glover, Zachary Kapeluck, Blake Krapels, Skyler Lubin, Andrea Yorita, Chloe Perkes, Roderick Phifer, Caili Quan, and Richard Villaverde

Individual Artists to be announced!

Casting and repertory subject to change