Following a successful 40th Anniversary season, Ballet Arkansas is excited to reveal plans for the upcoming 2019/2020 season. With six main stage performances and a variety of special and collaborative events, 2019/20 is designed to appeal to a broader audience base and to foster more community involvement in Ballet Arkansas productions.

Main Stage Performances
Sleepy Hollow, October 17-20, 2019, UA-PTC CHARTS Theater – The kickoff to this upcoming season will be a mixed multimedia world-premiere, full-length production of Sleepy Hollow. Designed in collaboration with the creative team with Cranford Co., the production will start the season with a spooky tone, similar to the tone set by last season’s wildly popular production of Dracula.

Debut, November 2019, Argenta Community Theater – Debut is a bold mixed repertory program that highlights the choreographic skills of the professional dancers of Ballet Arkansas, placing their works alongside the work of celebrated neoclassical and contemporary choreographers. Stretching the boundaries of contemporary dance, Debut explores new territories of movement and will leave audiences wanting more.

Nutcracker Spectacular, December 13-15, 2019, Robinson Performance Hall – The holiday tradition for many families in Arkansas, the Nutcracker Spectacular is the largest holiday production in Central Arkansas. Featuring the professional dancers of Ballet Arkansas, performing alongside a community cast of over 200 local children and adults, the production engages the community in the celebration of a holiday classic. Performances will include live accompaniment from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and at least 2 local choral ensembles. Ballet Arkansas’ discounted student matinee performances, serving over 2,200 children each year, will be held on December 12-13, 2019.

Cinderella, February 20-23, 2020, UA-PTC CHARTS Theater – Audiences will have a ball at one of 4 performances of Ballet Arkansas’ world-premiere Cinderella.  Perfect for families, this iconic ballet has a comedic twist, and is paired with drama and virtuoso dancing. This production will feature a community cast of 40 dancers – the first Ballet Arkansas production outside of The Nutcracker to do so in many years. Cinderella is a “must-see” this season!

Snow White, April 25-26, 2020 Matinee Performances, UA-PTC CHARTS Theater – Another popular tale, Ballet Arkansas’ telling of Snow White is a fresh take on a beloved classic and will feature a community cast of 20 local dancers. Performed at the intimate UA – Pulaski Tech CHARTS Theater, Snow White will be the final performance of the season.

Masterworks, April 24-26, 2020 Evening Performances, UA-PTC CHARTS Theater – Composed of high profile repertory from acclaimed international choreographers, and live accompaniment by a world renowned musician, Masterworks is the perfect climax to the 2019/20 season. Presented by the Stella Boyle Smith Trust, Masterworks brings the best repertory that dance has to offer to Central Arkansas.

Michael Fothergill is the Executive and Artistic Director, Catherine Garratt Fothergill is the Associate Artistic Director and Erin Anson is the General Manager.  Dancers for the 2019-2020 season include Hannah Bradshaw, Lauren Hill, Kaley Kirkman, Matthew Larson, Toby Lewellen, Meredith Loy, Amanda Sewell, Deanna Stanton, Megan Tillman, Paul Tillman, Isabelle Urben, and Zeek Wright.  New for the 2019-2020 season are Leah Morris, Adrian Vendt, and Lauren Yordanich.