News & Reviews
Some performers seek different career path after last dance
Friday, January 20, 2012
Change might be inevitable. Sometimes, it's even predictable, but managing the transition and adjusting to it emotionally can be challenging.
Dancers retire anywhere from age 20 to 45, says Terrence S. Orr, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's artistic director.
"You go into this profession understanding you're going to be looking at a second or third career. You actually train to be a dancer for a longer period than for becoming a doctor or lawyer, and you're going into an occupation for a shorter period of time."
The exhilaration of dance is difficult to forsake. Many former dancers stay in the field as choreographers, ballet masters or artistic directors of established companies. Some even form dance ensembles.
Personality Test: PBT dancer Luca Sbrizzi - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Luca Sbrizzi, who joined Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's corps de ballet in 2007, moves up this fall to soloist with the company. He lives in Bloomfield with his fiancee, Jenna Breitbach.
New PBT Board Members
July 19, 2011
Click below to read the press release regarding PBT's newest Board members.
PBT's Peter Pan now with the Orchestra!
Review: 'Dracula' a lavish Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre production
Lavish sets and spectacular production values, including simulated flying, elevate Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's "Dracula," which was revived this weekend at the Benedum Center Downtown. The ballet is a co-production with Houston Ballet and was first seen in 1997. Choreographer Ben Stevenson's language uses a lot of pantomime in addition to classical ballet moves to develop the characters and advance the action.
PBT dancers give 'Dracula' some bite
A lot has happened since Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre last presented "Dracula" in 2004. In the meantime, the count from Wallachia has been challenged (at least temporarily) by a more romantic and sensitive Edward of "Twilight" fame.
No matter -- it seems that people can't get enough of vampires.
PBT presents three-act ballet ‘Dracula’
The popularity of vampire Edward and his family in the "Twilight" series of books and movies played a part in Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre artistic director Terrence S. Orr’s decision to include “Dracula” in the current season’s offerings.
And don’t forget, it is a love story. So its Friday-Sunday run is just in time for Valentine’s Day.
“Well, that’s true,” Orr said with a little laugh. “It was a nice change-up with Edward and it is usually performed around Halloween. ‘Dracula’ is a love story. Why do people want to live forever and what are they willing to do to accomplish that? It’s also been very successful for us.”
'Dracula' revived as a reminder of dark love near Valentine's
Dracula pops up when he wants to, or when he's thirsty. But that's not the reason Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's artistic director Terrence Orr is "very happy" to move the story from Halloween to Valentine's Day.
"It can be considered a love story on the dark side," he says, pointing to Dracula as a precursor to Edward in "The Twilight Saga."
'Dracula' dances in to mesmerized viewers
“Before Edward ...” quips the poster for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s upcoming Valentine’s Day production, “there was Dracula.”
Between those two vampires — reminds Erin Halloran, a principal dancer at the theater — are countless other mythological beings.
“Vampires have been popular for a long time,” she said, singling out Anne Rice’s famous “The Vampire Chronicles” as an example.
The poster refers to Edward Cullen, the vampire heartthrob of the popular teen-book series, “Twilight.”
People have always been fascinated with eternal life. Plus, Halloran said, “There is some sensuality in the whole idea of being bitten.”
Pittsburgh Ballet reminds us that before Twilight -- and after twilight -- there was Dracula.
Before Edward and The Twilight Saga, before Louis and Lestat and Ann Rice's Vampire Chronicles, there was Dracula, the original vampire playboy. Not just a coldblooded killer, Dracula was a conqueror of women's hearts, killing some while turning many into his beautifully undead brides.
In choreographer Ben Stevenson's ballet version of Dracula (1997), to be performed Feb. 11-13 by Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, the lustful count is no less insatiable. In his castle overlooking the village, and already surrounded by 18 ravishing vampire brides, Dracula dispatches mad, bug-eating henchman Renfield to fetch him another, Flora.
The real Dracula returns: PBT presents the classic gothic romance just in time for Valentine's Day
It's almost Valentine's Day, the time of year for crimson roses, heart-shaped candies, candlelit dinners -- and Count Dracula?
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre thinks the blood-thirsty Casanova isn't just for Halloween.
"Dracula was before Edward," artistic director Terrence Orr said, referring to vampire heartthrob Edward Cullen from Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" book and film series. "When you think about the [Dracula] story, in actuality, it is a love story."
Pop Filter Hot Pick: PBT's Dracula Brings Dance & Darkness to the Stage
In the days leading up to Valentine's Day, forget flowers and chocolates, and instead take in one of the city's rich cultural offerings with that special someone, group of girlfriends or roommates, favorite cousin, or best buddy.
With its production of Dracula, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) has the perfect combination of lust, love and longing for the occasion.
The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's lineup includes 2 debuts
The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's 2011-12 season will be a pas de deux of old favorites and new attractions -- including a venue change, Pittsburgh premieres and more chances to catch "The Nutcracker."
Dancers will open the 42nd season in October with "Peter Pan." Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet premiered this work by choreographer Jorden Morris in 2006. PBT has performed "Peter Pan" in the past, but its next showing at the Benedum Center, Downtown, will mark the Pittsburgh debut of Mr. Morris' version.
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's 2011-12 season brings 'Streetcar' premiere
Fresh takes on familiar stories and returning popular repertoire will animate the five productions of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's 2011-12 season.
The company, which has enjoyed four consecutive years of balanced budgets, plans to add four or five performances to the run of its production of "The Nutcracker," set in Pittsburgh by artistic director Terrence S. Orr.