Jenna Bodnar
How Our Dancers Spent Their Summer
After a long and successful season, PBT Company dancers enjoyed a well-deserved break for the summer months. From performing internationally to spending time with family, read on to learn how some of the dancers spent their time outside of the PBT Studios!
Jack Hawn
I spent the 5 weeks of ISP as an accompanist for various classes throughout and thoroughly enjoyed being on the other side of ballet class. I always learn a lot from watching eager young students absorb all the new information they are given from teachers. Plus, I like to support dancers from behind the piano when I can since I know firsthand that lush, lively, energetic music can make all the difference when you are working so hard in the studio.
Jessica McCann and Yoshiaki Nakano
Since Yoshi and I got married in 2019, we haven’t been back to Japan since! So it was a huge deal for us to return this summer. We left right after the season ended. Yoshi and his mother host a gala every summer in Osaka, Japan that he himself puts together and organizes. It was the first time in three years since the World Dream Gala was hosted, so it was very exciting and emotional.
Yoshi and I danced Giselle Act ll pas de duex together, along with Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s La Pluie duet that we performed with PBT in the spring.
We also had the honor and joy of performing in Tokyo at the New National Theatre of Tokyo for the Gala Ballet Asteras, with live orchestra by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. We danced with stunning Japanese dancers from all over the world who brought their partners to perform for two days, and it was outstanding. Yoshiaki was personally invited, but the majority of the artists had to apply to be accepted to perform in the gala so it was a huge honor. We shared the stage with world class dancers, including a couple from NDT1, dancers from Paris Opera Ballet, principal dancers from Royal Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, Royal Birmingham Ballet, Berlin Ballet and Opera National Bucharest just to name a few.
While we were in Japan we also found time to travel all over the beautiful country and relax a bit. We spent several days traveling around Tokyo, spent quality time with Yoshi’s family in Osaka where his grandmother just turned 101, ate amazing food, and we feel so grateful for the memories made and all the new friends.
We also visited Japanese temples and climbed thousands of steps to get to them! We love going to Onsens (natural hot spring) in Japan so we found a very special one up in the mountains of Kagawa. A gorgeous countryside landscape of green hills, fog and rice fields.
Caitlyn Mendicino
I staged Napoli in PBT School’s Company Experience with Jonathan Breight. I also harvested three different kinds of honey from my bees!
Tommie Lin O’Hanlon
My husband and I welcomed these two bundles of joy into our lives! Everyone meet Pork and Beans, our sweet little Frenchies!!
JoAnna Schmidt
One of the things I did was choreograph a piece, For Raymond, for the PBT School Graduate program and restaged it on some of the dancers in the Company Experience! I also went home to Florida and took my dog, Tiger, to New Smyrna Beach.
Gabrielle Thurlow and William Moore
Will and I were lucky enough to experience a summer full of travel. We went to Italy to visit Will’s family. We enjoyed lots of pasta, wine and fabulous company. It was great to catch up with them. We also took a trip to Brazil for a wedding! It was a first in this country for both of us, and it was an amazing experience.
Siri Vedel’s Journey in the Intensive Summer Program
Siri Kiilerich Vedel was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and began dancing at the age of 3. She trained at the Royal Danish Ballet School and Tivoli Ballet School before she moved across the Atlantic Ocean at fifteen to join the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ high school ballet program, her first experience with the American ballet world. Siri has spent the last several weeks dancing in level 5 of PBT School’s Intensive Summer Program (ISP) and will begin training in the School’s Pre-professional graduate program this September.
Read on to learn how Siri feels she has grown as a dancer and as a person throughout the five weeks of ISP!
What interested you about PBT School’s ISP?
PBT School’s ISP interested me with its variety in classes and impressive group of instructors. This summer was my first American 5-week summer intensive and I was intrigued to experience a summer with PBT, full of exploration and growth. The faculty and other students created an incredibly supportive and positive environment throughout the program, which made the experience so joyful. I found that I easily improved in a place where everyone around me strived to succeed and see others succeed.
What were some of your favorite ISP classes?
My favorite ISP classes were repertoire and partnering/coda class. My level learned “Shades” from La Bayadère for our repertoire class. The hours preparing and polishing our piece for the end-of-program showcase taught us how to work as a group and as individual dancers on stage. The individual coaching during repertoire made the experience feel personal and the group corrections created a feeling of unity, weaving my level together as the weeks went by. In partnering/coda class we worked on the Tchaikovsky coda, which required us to work closely with our partner. It was so much fun to see how our partnering skills progressed and how we all improved on the coda over the course of the class.
How do you feel that you have grown as a dancer since you started ISP?
Since I have started ISP, I feel that my technique, artistry and presentation of myself have improved. The structure of our weekly schedule allows for quick technical improvement and before I knew it, I could do things I was not able to do when I first began the program. The supplementary strength classes, such as Pilates and yoga gave me a solid foundation for my long days of training and prevented me from any injuries. Dancing with a new group of people and faculty pushed me out of my comfort zone and I quickly got more confident in presenting myself and my own way of moving. This skill was an important one, as our schedule with variations classes and repertoire required us to present ourselves on a weekly basis.
What has been your favorite activity outside of the studio?
The excursions outside of our dance classes allowed us to grow closer across all levels and it fostered our collaborative atmosphere. My favorite activity outside of the studio was the Gateway Clipper cruise. It was a great way to celebrate our hard work across the whole program, while also getting the chance to see Pittsburgh from the river. It was an activity we were all looking forward to and it was great to look back and see how far we had come since the beginning of the program. My friendships I have created during this program have been so inspiring and I have loved getting to know all the people in my level both inside and outside of the studio.
What is something that has surprised you about ISP?
Something that surprised me at ISP was the incredibly supportive environment that both the faculty and students have created during the program. Whenever there was something frustrating or difficult in my classes, both my friends and the faculty were ready to assist and help me improve, providing a positive and encouraging atmosphere. The supportive environment at PBT made me feel comfortable to experiment and work hard in all my classes, which pushed me to improve fast and efficiently.
Do you think you will return to PBT next summer? Why or why not?
I would love to do another summer with PBT, as this summer has gifted me with so many new tools for my training. I am also very interested in doing the Company Experience program at PBT because preparing and performing at the ISP showcase was one of the things I enjoyed most about my summer. The ISP has opened my eyes for the many great programs that PBT offers and I am so excited and grateful to elevate my training at PBT in the fall.
What are your hopes for the future?
I hope to have a professional career with a ballet company. Training at PBT this summer has provided me with further skills to strengthen my technique that I will use in my pursuit of my goals in the future. I have really appreciated the opportunity to train with a school that is so structured and professional, yet also allows for individuality and personal growth. I feel that my summer with PBT has pushed me a step further toward my future professional goals and achievements.
Learn more about PBT School’s Intensive Summer Program and how you can audition for next year’s program below!
Swan Lake Reflections with PBT School Students
PBT School graduate students Ariana Chernyshev and Jacqueline Sugianto recently graced the stages of the Benedum Center in Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra as well as Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse at the PBT School Spring Performance. Ariana and Jackie join us now to reflect on how their training in PBT School prepared them for both performances, what it was like to dance alongside the PBT Company, how it felt to return to live theater and what’s next in their careers as dancers.
What was it like to dance in Susan Jaffe’s newly choreographed Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra?
Ariana: The rehearsal process was as challenging as it was rewarding! Act II is sacrosanct for the corps de ballet, and though much of the choreography remained untouched from Petipa and Ivanov, Ms. Jaffe worked with us on her specifications. The port de bras (or “swan arms”) are full, the arms are elongated, and the footwork is very crisp and precise. I really loved working with my “flock.” Ms. Jaffe has emphasized to us that we were a court of sisters, which was an especially important theme for her choreography in Act IV.
How did your experience dancing in the full production of Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra inform your dancing at the Spring Performance?
Jackie: The main difference between the productions was the scale. While the School’s Spring Performance highlighted Swan Lake, it was mainly focused on the second act of the ballet. I felt more responsibility working with the company because every dancer needed to be very diligent in order to complete all the material in each rehearsal. There was also a considerable amount of acting involved when working on the full-length ballet since the main objective was to immerse the audience in Odette’s tragedy. It was inspiring to learn from the artistic guidance of Ms. Jaffe and dramaturge coach Byam Stevens throughout the process.
Ariana: The ability to bring Ms. Jaffe’s notes from the company’s production into rehearsals for our Spring Performance elevated the quality of our work with the School. The full-length ballet is intentional, each movement layered with purpose. It was a blessing to be able to bring that level of high-quality awareness and artistic depth into our student performances.
After the pandemic, what was the moment where it really hit you that PBT was back in a theater, about to perform for a live audience?
Ariana: The moment it hit me that we were performing for a live audience for The Nutcracker was when the audience began to applaud during the snow scene. It was absolutely exhilarating, and that moment gave me such a rush of excitement and inspiration. Performing Susan Jaffe’s Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra felt very different to me than The Nutcracker because it was a massive production in its premiere. All of the dancers were in a state of high anticipation to share our excitement about these performances with the Pittsburgh audience!
Jackie: I think the moment it really hit me was when I took my mask off backstage before my first Nutcracker show in December 2021. I remember checking my makeup multiple times to make sure the bottom half of my face looked presentable. Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra definitely felt different to me because I took part in more company rehearsals for that production than any other. I also cannot express how excited I was that these shows were accompanied by live performances from the PBT Orchestra.
How do you feel your experience working on Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra has prepared you for the next step in your journey to becoming a professional dancer?
Jackie: Working on Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra was a dream come true. I became familiar with the daily life of a professional dancer. I now understand how company rehearsals are conducted as well as the process of creating a production from square one. I had the opportunity to work with Artistic Director Susan Jaffe and watch all of PBT’s incredible principals and dancers rehearse their roles in the studio. Swan Lake is one of, if not the most important piece of ballet repertoire. These past few months have been a glimpse into the life I am working hard to achieve, and they have only inspired me further.
Ariana: Swan Lake is a staple ballet for a female corps de ballet member and there is a sense of it being a rite of passage. It was demanding both physically and artistically, and because I embraced the challenge, I feel strongly prepared to join the company as an apprentice next season.
How do you feel that you have grown throughout your time at PBT School?
Ariana: PBT School has given me all the tools I needed to achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer. Pre-Ballet nurtured my simple love for the elegance, beauty and grace of this art form. The Student Division showed me that performing on stage was exactly what I had envisioned it to be and more, through performances in The Nutcracker and the Spring Performance. This stage in my training also required a gradual increase in commitment and I became more serious about the dedication required to be successful in this career. As a part of the Pre-professional program in high school, my technique was further developed and solidified, and I learned how to face the challenges of this profession head-on. Entering the Graduate program, years of effort and perseverance finally cumulated to allow me to explore my artistry and gave me time to figure out where I fit as an individual in the world of ballet. The person I am today is enmeshed within PBT School, and for that I am forever grateful.
Jackie: I feel that I have grown a lot as a dancer throughout this year in the Graduate program. I have had many opportunities to learn repertoire and dance in front of a live audience. I performed in two student choreography showcases, Land of Enchantment, The Nutcracker performances, and now Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra and the Spring Performance. All of these productions have kept me motivated and have improved my confidence. I am also inspired every day by the talented students who I train with, and I am grateful for the positive guidance and support the teachers here at PBT provide. The dedicated and supportive environment have helped me improve not only in my technique but also in my mental fortitude, which are both necessary traits for a professional dancer.
Announcing Casting for “Open Air: A Series in Celebration of the Performing Arts” 2022
Open Air: A Series in Celebration of the Performing Arts returns to the city June 9 – 12 at a new location on the Allegheny Riverfront in Sharpsburg (1 19th Street, Sharpsburg). The series will include performances by the PBT Company as well as local performing arts organizations. PBT Company dancers will take the stage at 8 p.m. on June 9, 10 and 11 with a program of contemporary and classical favorites.
Seating at Open Air will be limited. Tickets for PBT Company performances are available for $20 per person.
Please note that casting and show program are subject to change.
Pas de Quatre from Swan Lake | Choreography: Susan Jaffe
| Thursday, June 9 | Friday, June 10 | Saturday, June 11 |
| Tommie Kesten Joseph Parr Gabrielle Thurlow Masahiro Haneji |
JoAnna Schmidt Josiah Kauffman Jessica McCann Yoshiaki Nakano |
Tommie Kesten Joseph Parr Gabrielle Thurlow Masahiro Haneji |
Lacrimosa | Choreography: Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
All performances:
Amanda Morgan
Jonathan Breight
Wedding Pas de Deux from The Sleeping Beauty | Choreography: Marius Petipa
All performances:
Marisa Grywalski
Lucius Kirst
Loss | Choreography: Sasha Janes
All performances:
Gabrielle Thurlow
William Moore
Depuis le Jour | Choreography: Gemma Bond
| Thursday, June 9 | Friday, June 10 | Saturday, June 11 |
| JoAnna Schmidt Jonathan Breight |
Diana Yohe Joseph Parr |
JoAnna Schmidt Jonathan Breight |
Carmina Terra | Choreography: Susan Jaffe
All performances:
Erin Casale
Josiah Kauffman
La Pluie | Choreography: Annebelle Lopez Ochoa
All performances:
Jessica McCann
Colin McCaslin
Black Swan from Swan Lake | Choreography: Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov
All performances:
Marisa Grywalski
Lucius Kirst
Swan Queen Spotlight: Hannah Carter
Principal Dancer Hannah Carter is no stranger to Swan Lake. She has danced the show with the Royal Ballet School in Granada, Spain, with the Estonian National Ballet and twice with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. As she prepares to reprise her role as Odette-Odile for the second time in her career, Hannah shares insight into the many ways she prepares for this technically demanding ballet and how Artistic Director Susan Jaffe has inspired her. Don’t miss your chance to see Hannah in Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra May 6 – 15 at the Benedum Center!
What has it been like to learn Swan Lake under the direction of Susan Jaffe, who is such an iconic Swan Queen?
Susan is such an impressive actress. That is what stands out to me above anything else while working with her. This ballet is so physically hard it’s easy to get wrapped up in the technique and steps — and while that is so important, it’s just as important for us to be telling the story in the same way we would in Romeo and Juliet, for example. I watch her give me corrections and try to mimic the way she stands, walks, moves her head, arms and neck, for example. She fully embodies the role and transforms into Odette and Odile.
Watch Artistic Director Susan Jaffe speak about her new choreography and get a sneak peek into rehearsals with Hannah Carter and Yoshiaki Nakano!
How do you prepare for this role?
There are multiple ways to prepare. It’s like a few different lanes that all join in the middle.
Stamina: It’s a very hard ballet and I do not want to be wasting energy thinking about how tired I am, so cross training to build up my stamina is one lane.
Studying: Watching other dancers in our company and on YouTube (or anywhere online) is another lane. Learning from others is so important in my opinion because it helps me build layers on top of my own artistry and opinions. Maybe another dancer does something that works better for me as well.
Rehearsals and Repetition: We want to build muscle memory so that our mind is as empty as possible. Just as stamina is important, I don’t want to be thinking about what comes next or how to do a step. I want my body to automatically do it so that my mind is free to focus on the artistry.
Can you talk about your pre-show ritual?
I am so superstitious — almost to a fault! I’m trying to break away from that a little because when I am very nervous it becomes all consuming. But what I usually like to do is when we get into the rehearsal process of running the sections and the whole ballet we usually practice some steps before, so I always want to practice them on stage before going on. I am not one of those people that like to be alone before going on stage because I get nervous. You can usually find me backstage with everyone and feeding off of the whole performance’s energy.
But my #1 ritual is getting a vanilla tootsie roll from Répétitrice Marianna Tcherkassky!
How many pairs of pointe shoes have you used during the rehearsal process?
Gosh, I’m not sure! I’m sewing and breaking in about two pairs of shoes a week minimum.
What part of the ballet holds a special place in your heart?
I think the beginning of the White Swan Pas de Deux is one of my favorite moments. It feels so quiet and intimate. We’re the only two moving on stage at the time and it just feels so secretive and special.
Walk us through what it is like to embody both Odette and Odile.
I find becoming Odette a little easier than Odile. Odette is loving and gentle while still being strong and proud. She has long and soft lines and a sadness about her. Odile I find to be more of a challenge. It’s a lot of fun to dance her role, but it’s hard to not slip into Odette from time to time. While she is still a swan, she has sharper lines and strong eyes. I want the audience and other characters on stage to feel like they shouldn’t look at her but at the same time can’t take their eyes off of her.
You can see Hannah Carter perform as Odette-Odile on Friday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 15 at 2 p.m. See the full casting list here and don’t miss your chance to see Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra May 6 – 15 at the Benedum Center!
Swan Queen Spotlight: Marisa Grywalski
Though Soloist Marisa Grywalski has danced in PBT productions of Swan Lake twice before, the upcoming production marks her debut as the Swan Queen. Marisa shares her journey from her first performance as a PBT School Graduate student to now dancing one of ballet’s most iconic roles. Don’t miss your chance to see her perform in Artistic Director Susan Jaffe’s new production of Swan Lake, running May 6 – 15 at the Benedum Center!
What has it been like to learn Swan Lake under the direction of Susan Jaffe, who is such an iconic Swan Queen?
I started my journey with Susan and the role of Odette for one of our outdoor gala performances. I was to perform the White Swan Pas de Deux. She guided me through every moment, showing me not just where to step and how to angle my head, but explaining the intention, which is the most important aspect. Every moment has a meaning and every moment is an opportunity to tell the story of love, trust and tragedy. This holds true even today as she guides and teaches us all four acts. She often reprises the role to demonstrate what words cannot express. I see very much of her and the long history she has with Swan Lake in the choreography.
What part of the ballet holds a special place in your heart?
I love the entrance of Odette where she meets the Prince, as well as Odile’s entrance.
Tell us about your first performances of Swan Lake with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
I had the pleasure of dancing Terrance S. Orr’s Swan Lake twice. In my first experience when I was a PBT School Graduate student, I was one of the corps peasants in Act I. I also performed in the swan corps and was one of the princesses in Act III. This was my first time performing with the company where I was in all four acts. I loved every beautiful and painful moment; it was a real taste for corps de ballet life. I had responsibility and started to create positive and friendly relationships with the other professionals.
In the most recent production of Orr’s Swan Lake I danced again in all four acts, this time as a corps member of the company. I danced in the pas de six in Act I, as a big swan in Acts II and IV, and in Act III’s Spanish dance. I must mention that I danced all of these roles and every show with Danielle Downey by my side. Sharing all of these roles with her was so wonderful.
Can you talk about your pre-show ritual?
Sometimes I take a really hot shower before I warm up to get my blood flowing. I tend to spend most of my time on stage — lots of walking around, marking movements, getting used to the space and most importantly choosing my shoes for the night.
How many pairs of pointe shoes have you used during the rehearsal process?
I use a new pair of shoes for pas de deux rehearsals. They need to be new in order for me to rehearse properly. The support is critical, especially for adagio work. Once softened a bit I then use them for our morning technique class.
How do you prepare for this role?
Susan has brought in an acting coach, Byam Stevens, for the company to work with. He has been focusing on all interactions between Odette-Odile and Prince Sigfreid. After working with Byam, I would say there has been a shift in how I am approaching both roles. Also, the steps are beginning to feel more natural after further discovering where they are stemming from.
Walk us through what it is like to embody both Odette and Odile.
A dancer can spend their whole career developing deeper into these roles. I believe that we all have a bit of both characters in each one of us. For my first time learning these roles I started by exposing those similarities in myself. If it’s not coming from an honest place, then the audience will pick up on that.
Marisa will perform as Odette-Odile on Saturday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. See the full casting list here and don’t miss your chance to see Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra May 6 – 15 at the Benedum Center!
Casting for “Swan Lake” with the PBT Orchestra is Announced!
Artistic Director Susan Jaffe has announced casting for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s new production of Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra. Four phenomenal couples will take on the thrilling and daunting task of dancing the lead roles in this classic tale of love and betrayal. Don’t miss your chance to see Susan Jaffe’s new choreography of Swan Lake, running May 6 – 15 at the Benedum Center!
See the full cast list here!
First Weekend
| Friday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. | Saturday, May 7 at 2 p.m. | Saturday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, May 8 at 2 p.m. | |
| Odette-Odile | Hannah Carter | Alexandra Kochis | Marisa Grywalski | Jessica McCann |
| Prince Siegfried | Yoshiaki Nakano | William Moore | Lucius Kirst | Colin McCaslin |
| Baron Von Rothbart | Lucius Kirst | Cooper Verona | Corey Bourbonniere | William Moore |
Second Weekend
| Friday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. | Saturday, May 14 at 2 p.m. | Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, May 15 at 2 p.m. | |
| Odette-Odile | Marisa Grywalski | Jessica McCann | Alexandra Kochis | Hannah Carter |
| Prince Siegfried | Lucius Kirst | Colin McCaslin | William Moore | Yoshiaki Nakano |
| Baron Von Rothbart | Corey Bourbonniere | William Moore | Cooper Verona | Lucius Kirst |
Explore Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra
- Watch: View the trailer here.
- Discover the meaning behind Artistic Director Susan Jaffe’s new choreography.
- On the Blog: Susan Jaffe’s Swan Lake
Photo Credits | Artists: Lucius Kirst and Hannah Carter | Photo by Duane Rieder
Swan Queen Spotlight: Jessica McCann
For Soloist Jessica McCann, dancing the iconic role of Odette-Odile in Susan Jaffe’s Swan Lake is a dream come true — and a dream that she has worked hard to achieve. From her first performance in Swan Lake with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in 2018 when she performed as a Little Swan and in the pas de trois, to now dancing the technically demanding lead role, Jessica finds the accomplishment well worth the challenge. Read on to discover how she is preparing for the daunting and exhilarating milestone of her debut performance as the Swan Queen.
What has it been like to learn Swan Lake under the direction of Susan Jaffe, who was such an iconic Swan Queen?
It’s been an absolute privilege and honor to have Susan in the studio with me, passing down all the knowledge and experience she has from her career and the legendary coaches she got to work with. It’s hard to put into words the gratitude I feel. It makes me feel safe, because I have her here guiding me into the most successful debut I could hope for in such an extremely difficult role, one I’ve dreamt of performing all my life. I’m fully trusting the process and it’s a lot of hard work and detailing. Susan is working closely with me, handing me all the tools for finding my own Swan Queen.
How do you prepare for this role?
There’s a lot to do and many ways I’ve been preparing for this role. When I’m not rehearsing the steps and working on my stamina, I listen to the music, think of the story, review the choreography and do a ton of positive visualization. We’ve also been working with dramaturge coach Byam Stevens who also worked closely with Susan Jaffe during her career. Then, of course, I’m being coached by Susan herself. Creating that dialogue and personal story in my head and with my partner is really important.
How many pairs of pointe shoes have you used during the rehearsal process?
I easily kill one pair of pointe shoes within an hour of rehearsing the White Swan adagio from Act ll. With all the repetition and getting the steps just right, or that tender moment with my partner just right, it really kills the shoes. I dry the shoes out, glue them and wear them again the next day for something else, but on average I’m currently going through roughly four to five pairs of shoes a week, and that’s squeezing by.
Thinking about my performance and what my “shoe plan” will be feels like a gamble. I’m currently thinking about wearing new shoes for Act ll, Act lll Black Swan and a third new pair for Act IV, so I’d have to prep three pairs of shoes per dress rehearsal and each performance.
Can you talk about your pre-show ritual?
It’s different with every production because it depends on what role I’m doing, but I usually like to keep to myself. For big roles like this I’ll probably be ready early because I like living in the costume for a bit to make it feel normal and I fall into the role easier when the costume is on. I calm myself mentally, do positive visualization and make sure I’m in the right headspace. That’s extremely important to me. I also check in with my partner and we might try a few things after class. I just try not to psych myself out or get in my head too much about anything. After so much rehearsal I have to trust it’s in my body so the mind must be calm. You’ll probably also find me fussing over my pointe shoes until the show starts because they have to be just right.
Walk us through what it is like to embody both Odette and Odile.
I think we all have different sides to us as people, so drawing that out in yourself to the maximum in each direction is what it feels like to go from rehearsing Odette to Odile and back to Odette in the same rehearsal day. They are completely different. In order to make that switch, you have to know your character really well, which is what I’ve been working on. I’ve really just thrown myself into the experience and rehearsal process. I have to put myself there mentally to really dive deeper into these two roles.
Odile is a temptress — she’s seductive and finds joy in playing this game with Rothbart of Siegfried’s heart. Odette is a princess that has been taken by Rothbart and she’s essentially a hostage, a victim of a horrible curse. She’s kind, still has pride as queen of the swans and she knows what she must do at the end of this story, which takes a strong person to make that choice. She’s the kind of person who forgives the prince for his mistake of falling for Odile’s tricks, but knows she must sacrifice herself so the curse can be lifted. I really enjoy playing both types of characters. I’ve always loved roles with deep acting involved, so this is honestly a challenge I’m extremely excited about.
What part of the ballet holds a special place in your heart?
The music. The story. The emotional depth of this ballet — it’s a masterpiece. I bring myself to tears listening to the music and watching the story unfold in my mind, specifically in Act IV where Odette has been betrayed by Siegfried. Even though she forgives him, the damage has been done. She says goodbye to her love and fights to break free from Rothbart to kill herself and break the spell. The music there is so overwhelming to me I’ll probably cry on stage. Another amazing moment in the music and story is in Act lll where it’s Odile’s first entrance with Rothbart. Arriving fashionably late of course, turning every head in the ballroom and immediately seducing Siegfried. I mean, what an entrance!!
Jessica will perform as Odette-Odile on Sunday, May 8 at 2 p.m. and Saturday, May 14 at 2 p.m. See the full casting list here and don’t miss your chance to see Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra May 6 – 15 at the Benedum Center!
A Conversation with Music Director and Principal Conductor Charles Barker About “Swan Lake”
Though Music Director and Principal Conductor Charles Barker has conducted productions of Swan Lake hundreds of times, he says that Artistic Director Susan Jaffe’s upcoming production is completely different than what came before. Read on to learn why Charles is looking forward to this new production, and don’t miss your chance to experience Tchaikovsky’s evocative score played by a live orchestra May 6 – 15 at the Benedum Center!
What makes the score of Swan Lake different from other ballet scores?
For me, the interplay of B major and B minor is very interesting. Tchaikovsky single-handedly raised the level of music for ballet to a new plane. Music was no longer accompaniment but a major force in the production. Using harmony as a structural basis for the ballet along with very dramatic orchestration makes Swan Lake stand out from other ballets written by Minkus or Pugni in the 1880s.
| “Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra” by the Numbers | |
| First Violin | 9 |
| Second Violin | 8 |
| Viola | 4 |
| Cello | 4 |
| Bass | 3 |
| Flute | 3 |
| Oboe | 2 |
| Clarinet | 2 |
| Bassoon | 2 |
| Horn | 4 |
| Trumpet | 4 |
| Trombone | 3 |
| Tuba | 1 |
| Percussion | 2 |
| Harp | 1 |
What are some moments in the score that stand out to you as highlights and why?
Many are unaware that Ricardo Drigo, the music director of the Imperial Theatre, and Marius Petipa, a choreographer and pedagogue, rearranged the order of Swan Lake when they restaged the work in the late 1890s. Tchaikovsky had been dead for several years and Drigo, one of his close friends and fellow composers, took it upon himself to “rewrite” and reorder some of the score to make it more like other romantic ballets of the time.
For instance, the very familiar Black Swan Pas de Deux was originally in Act I. Drigo and Petipa moved it to Act III and inserted other music into the Pas as variations for the dancers. Drigo also rewrote the ending of both the Act II and Act III Pas de Deuxs. Reorchestrating or rearranging Tchaikovsky is a difficult and complicated task — not one to be taken on casually. Tchaikovsky was a wonderful orchestrator. Since Drigo was his friend and a very good composer in his own right, his reorchestrations are still used today and generally accepted as standard.
Do you have a personal connection to this score?
The violinist who Tchaikovsky wrote all of his solos for was Leopold Auer. He was a great violinist and leader of the Imperial Theatre Orchestra. Both Tchaikovsky and Drigo wrote specifically with Auer in mind. During the 1917 Russian Revolution, it became impossible to perform, so Auer emigrated to America bringing with him his very young and talented assistant, Raphael Bronstein. Bronstein was my violin teacher when I arrived in New York in the mid 70s. Carrying on this tradition is something I think about all the time.
How do you feel live music impacts the audience experience of seeing a ballet?
Live music equals spectacle to me. Recorded music in no way infringes upon the quality of the dancing but it limits the amount of expressiveness of any given step or phrase within the piece. With live music, the interaction between the dancer and conductor makes for spontaneous creativity right before the eyes of the audience. It is as if the audience is watching an artistic creation come to life with movement and music. I can think of nothing more relevant to ballet than that.
You can help Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre continue to bring the full power of the PBT Orchestra to even more season productions and ensure live music at over 500 individual performances over the next 50 years when you contribute to the live music fund. Learn more here.
Don’t miss your chance to see Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra May 6 – 15 at the Benedum Center!
Photo © Ye Lihong
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Welcomes Two New Apprentices
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) is pleased to welcome two promising young dancers as company apprentices for the 2022 – 2023 season. Ariana Chernyshev and Maria Eduarda Pinto will gain exceptional professional experience and enjoy exciting performance opportunities with the PBT company under the leadership of Artistic Director Susan Jaffe.
“After the success of the inaugural year of the apprenticeship program, I am excited at the possibilities inherent in these dancers’ futures,” Ms. Jaffe says. “I look forward to nurturing them throughout the course of the 2022 – 2023 season and helping them take their artistry to new heights.”
In addition to the invaluable experience of rehearsing and performing alongside PBT company dancers, the apprentices will have the option to pursue certificate or college degree programs through partnerships with Point Park University, Seton Hill University, Community College of Allegheny County and Chatham University. PBT is grateful to Leslie Fleischner and her late husband Hans for their thoughtful support of young dancers pursuing careers in the arts.
About the Apprentices
Ariana Chernyshev
Ariana Chernyshev was born in Pittsburgh and trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School (PBT School) from Pre-Ballet all the way through to the Graduate program. Additionally, she attended summer programs at Pacific Northwest Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Cincinnati Ballet and The Washington School of Ballet. In 2019, Ariana accepted a trainee position at The Washington School of Ballet, where she performed with the company and danced lead roles in classical and contemporary works with the school. As a Graduate student at PBT School, she has had the honor of performing with the company in George Balanchine’s Rubies, Terrence S. Orr’s The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. In 2022, Ariana performed as a guest artist of Tulsa Ballet’s Swan Lake. Ariana enjoys teaching yoga to the high school students at PBT School and is thrilled to perform Susan Jaffe’s Swan Lake in May!
“Pittsburgh is home, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to perform for my beautiful city and its vibrant community,” Ariana says. “We are so lucky to have Susan Jaffe as artistic director and I’m beyond excited to be a part of this new chapter for PBT!”
Maria Eduarda Pinto
Maria Eduarda Pinto was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she started taking ballet class at the age of two. She joined the Maria Olenewa Dance School and finished her studies at the Lyceu Dance School supervised by Lorena Boaventura. In 2020, she trained at Miami City Ballet with Aranxta Ochoa and Alexander Iziliaev. She won several awards in competitions in Brazil and was a finalist in the Latin America Selections of the Prix de Lausanne and the Youth America Grand Prix, in addition to participating in several international competitions such as Tanzolymp, ADCIBC, WBC and VKIBC.
“I am very happy and excited to join Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre as an apprentice because it has always been my dream as a dancer to start a professional career in a company with several renowned masters and excellent dancers,” Maria says. “It makes me very excited to give my best this season.”
Principal Dancer Alexandra Kochis Prepares to Take Her Final Bow
After 27 years as a professional dancer and 16 years at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Principal Dancer Alexandra Kochis has announced that she will be retiring at the end of the 2021-2022 season. Her performance as Odette-Odile in Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. will be her last with the company. Alexa has been a principal dancer with PBT since 2009.
“It has been a pleasure to have the chance to work with Alexa over these last two years,” says Artistic Director Susan Jaffe. “The exquisite artistry of her performances will truly be missed by all of us. We wish her well on her next chapter.”
Originally from North Andover, Massachusetts, Alexa began her ballet training at the age of 5, and studied six days a week throughout her childhood. After graduating high school, she planned to attend college at Georgetown University, but changed her mind when Boston Ballet’s Artistic Director of the time Anna Marie Holmes offered her a position with Boston Ballet II in the corps de ballet. Alexa joined Boston Ballet II in 1995 and the company in 1998, where she met her husband Christopher Budzynski.
In 2006, Alexa and Chris relocated to Pittsburgh and both joined Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre — Alexa as a member of the corps de ballet and Chris as a soloist. Alexa became a principal dancer in 2009.
“I felt very supported and valued by Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre for the dancer that I was,” she says. “That allowed me to put myself out there more. Because the repertoire was so diverse, it was really food for growth. I certainly have danced roles and worked with choreographers that I never dreamed I would.”
Favorite productions for Alexa from her career include Don Quixote, Giselle, Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Romeo et Juliette, George Balanchine’s Diamonds, Jerome Robbins’ The Concert, William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort and John Neumeier’s A Streetcar Named Desire, a production that she calls “a seminal moment for PBT.”
“What a wonderful experience it has been to watch Alexa’s journey through this art form,” says Alexa’s husband and PBT School Faculty member Chris. “She has touched many lives and souls as she transcended the boundaries of the technique.”
Of her final performance in Swan Lake this May, Alexa says she is thankful for the technically difficult, physically demanding nature of the role of Odette-Odile. “The technique takes my mind off the emotional aspect of retiring because I focus on the work,” Alexa says. “I’m a big dramatic enthusiast, so it’s always nice when I get to die at the end of a ballet,” she adds.
After retiring, Alexa says there are many new possibilities on the horizon that she looks forward to, including teaching dance, writing fiction — an endeavor she began investigating during the pandemic — and lots of travel and camping trips in the mix.
“Throughout my career, I feel like PBT has preserved a familial ethos. I’m really glad to have been a part of it,” Alexa says.
Audiences can see Alexa’s final performances with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre at Swan Lake with the PBT Orchestra, running May 6 – 15 at the Benedum Center. Her retirement will be recognized at her final performance on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Swan Queen Spotlight: Alexandra Kochis
Since she began her professional dance career in 1995, Principal Dancer Alexandra Kochis has danced six full length productions of Swan Lake, including two productions with Boston Ballet and four with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She has danced a variety of roles, from a guest in the First Act and Swan Corps to the Pas de Trois, Cygnets, Neopolitan and Odette-Odile. As she prepares to play the Swan Queen for her fourth and final time, Alexa shares with us why this production is special to her and why you should go see it!
What has it been like to learn Swan Lake under the direction of Susan Jaffe, who was such an iconic Swan Queen?
The experience of being coached by Susan has been very inspiring. I love that she comes at the role of the Swan Queen from such a human perspective. She very much wants us to convey the underlying emotions — of uneasiness, trepidation, elation and, ultimately, betrayal and heartbreak — that make up Odette’s character arc throughout the story. Because, underneath it all, Odette is a woman who has been transformed into a swan, but she still thinks and feels and loves like you and I. Susan also has such a lush and full style that really encourages us to bend and move and use our entire bodies to fully depict the emotions we are trying to convey.
What part of the ballet holds a special place in your heart?
I feel like there are too many favorite moments to pick just one! I love the moment, in the second act adagio when Odette chooses to submit to falling in love with Seigfried. She clasps Seigfried’s hand to her cheek and turns to face him. It’s an intimate and still moment I get to share with my partner — in this case William Moore — in the midst of all this difficult technique. I love when we can speak to each other with our eyes and convey how full our hearts are across the vast expanses of the theater.
I love that the music builds to a frenzied crescendo during the coda of the second act. It is intensely empowering to stand in the wings as the corps de ballet charges across the stage in their final arabesque chugs and then, as I run out for my coda, the music hushes and the conductor seems to hover on my very breath.
I love dancing as Odile in the end of the third act pas de deux when Siegfried kneels before me and I know that I have succeeded in my seduction. I throw my head back in a movement full of wicked, maniacal triumph and I am soaring on this wave of physical endorphins and music-induced euphoria. It’s pretty incredible.
And, I always love dying on stage, so getting to hurl myself into the lake at the end of this marathon of a ballet that I have just run — that’s pretty great, too.
How do you prepare for this role?
Ballet class everyday. Many hours of rehearsals and coaching with Susan and our rehearsal directors Steven Annegarn and Marianna Tcherkassy for the pas de deuxs and variations. Then, as we get closer to the shows, we start putting the acts together with the corps and other dancers. Finally, we run through the whole ballet to get a feeling of the stamina and pacing required. I also try to work in cross training with pilates, gyrotonics and cardio.
We are also fortunate to be working with a dramaturg, Byam Stevens, for this production. Byam is focusing on the acting, mime and character development for each individual partnership.
Walk us through what it is like to embody both Odette and Odile.
Swan Lake is special because I get to work on two very different flavors of movement — the slow, soft lyricism of Odette as well as the crisp, sharp dynamism of Odile. It allows a dancer to tap into two different sides of themself because, really, everyone has a little of both characters within.
How many pairs of pointe shoes have you used during the rehearsal process?
It’s hard to calculate exactly how many pairs of pointe shoes I’ve used to rehearse Swan Lake because we have been working on it off and on for a while (since about January, I believe). I try to keep a rotation of shoes going so that each individual pair will have time to dry out and be re-glued between wearings so they last a bit longer. Plus, the different acts of the ballet require shoes to be slightly harder or softer depending on the types of steps I’ll be doing. All told, I will probably go through 20 pairs or so by the time May 14th rolls around.
Can you talk about your pre-show ritual?
My pre-show ritual is pretty straightforward. I like to allow myself lots of time. I don’t like to rush. I’ll take company warmup onstage with the rest of the company. I love taking class onstage. There is a hallowed-ness about it — the darkened theater, the space. Then I’ll wrap myself up in a warm blanket, put on some chill, feel-good music and do my makeup. Then, about a half hour before showtime, I’ll start putting my shoes and costume on to warm them up and get settled in them. It takes a bit of body heat to soften everything up and get them feeling like a part of my own body. At about 15 minutes out, I’ll head to the stage, check any props, pre-set water and tissues, feel the floor a bit and maybe practice any tricky moments with my partner. Then, I just take a few deep breaths and try to savor every moment.
What does it mean to you for Swan Lake to be your final performance before you retire?
I love that I am able to dance a full-length story ballet for my final performance because portraying a character and the dramatic side of ballet has always been one of my favorite things about this art form.
Being able to dance full-length Swan Lake — a big, beautiful ballet — on the Benedum Center stage — a big, beautiful theater — to music played by a live orchestra is truly one of the pinnacles of any dancer’s career. It will be somewhat of a “full circle moment” for me as I can still VISCERALLY feel what it was like to stand on the side of the stage in my pose as a member of corps de ballet in my second year as a professional dancer. I remember how it felt to hear that gorgeous Tchaikovsky score soaring out of the pit during the second act adagio. It gave me absolute goosebumps back then, and now that I am the one dancing that adagio as Swan Queen — well, it feels that much richer, I suppose.
Alexa will perform as Odette-Odile on Saturday, May 7 at 2 p.m. and her final performance will be Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. Don’t miss your chance to see her final bow with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre!
Susan Jaffe: Swan Queen
When Susan Jaffe was 19 years old, she danced the lead role in Swan Lake for the first time with American Ballet Theatre. Forty years later, Susan’s journey with Swan Lake has come full circle as she finishes out her first full season as artistic director of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre with her own choreography of this iconic show. Read on to learn more about how Susan’s extensive experience informed her choreography for this new production, running May 6 – 15 at the Benedum Center!
It all started when Susan’s coach at American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Elena Tchernichova taught her Swan Lake behind closed doors. As a very young member of the corps de ballet, Susan had to learn the role in secret for fear that the company members would be upset that someone so young was learning the role. At the age of 19, she danced the first of what would be many performances of Swan Lake as Odette-Odile while on tour with ABT in Miami, with Mikhail Baryshnikov playing Prince Siegfried.
When she danced Swan Lake for the first time in New York City on April 28, 1982, The New York Times published a glowing review of her performance. “Susan Jaffe is the American Ballet Theatre’s wonderful new discovery, the star of the future who radiates a star quality so vibrantly now at the age of 19 that one is dazzled at the prospect of her development,” wrote New York Times Dance Critic Anna Kisselgoff. The review continues, “[Susan’s performance] was a beautiful triumph, a performance of amazing depth for a novice, but also thrilling in itself, in a young dancer’s understanding of this great Tchaikovsky ballet.” Read the full review here.
Susan danced Swan Lake every year after that, and was coached by some amazing people, including the legendary ballerina Natalia Makarova. In 1989, Susan was introduced to Irina Kolpakova, who had been Baryshnikov’s mentor and was the last student of the great Russian pedagogue Agrippina Vaganova.
“I wanted to learn from Kolpakova so much, I would’ve done anything,” Susan says. “So I basically stood in front of her with my arms at my side and said, ‘I don’t know anything. Teach me from scratch.’ I learned so much more than technique from her. She was one of the most brilliant, heartfelt performers that the world has ever seen.”
Susan went on to dance Swan Lake all around the world, guesting with companies in Sweden, England, Vienna and more. “I got to work with a lot of brilliant partners and experience other companies dancing Swan Lake as well,” Susan says.
Watch Susan performing the role of the Black Swan for American Ballet Theatre here:
Having danced the role of Odette-Odile so many times, Susan developed a keen understanding of the characters’ motivation, the symbolism in the music and dancing, and the themes of the ballet.
“It’s a great story of love and betrayal, and it really reflects our humanity,” Susan says. “When I sit in the audience and watch it, there are so many moments that I am moved to the depth of my soul.”
Susan says that one of the reasons why she loves Swan Lake is because of the wide range of emotions that the dancer portraying Odette-Odile has to convey. “It is the ultimate test of a ballerina’s powers, not only in character, but in physicality,” Susan says. “The dancer must show the softness and vulnerability of Odette, and the attack of Odile, a femme fatale. You have to develop all of those things in order to be a real interpreter of this role.
Susan is bringing her expertise to this new production with her own choreography created after the original choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. “It feels incredibly scary, but also incredibly exhilarating to be choreographing my own Swan Lake,” Susan says. While the storyline in Susan’s production will remain traditional, the new production coming to the Benedum this May will be her own rendition.
For example, Susan’s critical eye has adjusted Odile’s choreography. “When I was growing up, I saw a lot of Odiles that were just plain mean, and I thought, ‘The prince isn’t that stupid,’” Susan says. “If you’re going to be deceptive, you’re going to be alluring, kind, everything that the prince wants. So, I think that honors that the prince is truly deceived, not just by magic but by intention. I think, in that way, it’s almost more evil.”
Of course, when the prince isn’t looking, Susan says Odile will be glancing an eye at Rothbart, letting the audience in on the trickery happening onstage. “That’s how I interpreted the Black Swan — not as being mean spirited, but as being a siren,” Susan says. “I certainly had a lot of fun with that.”
The ending is another place where Susan has added her personal touch. “There are many endings to Swan Lake,” she says. “Mine is one of tragedy and redemption all at the same time. Because life is a dichotomy.”
Hear Susan discuss the inspiration behind her new choreography and get a peek into rehearsals:
You won’t want to miss your chance to see this new production of Swan Lake, running May 6 – 15, 2022 at the Benedum Center. If you would like to hear Susan speak about her new choreography in a conversation with acclaimed dance historian Elizabeth Kaye, join us for Director’s Cut at 6:30 p.m. on opening night.
Announcing Casting For Here + Now!
Casting has been announced for Here + Now featuring five incredible pieces from an impressive lineup of internationally acclaimed — and all female — choreographers.
Get your tickets today and be sure to join us for this showcase of excellence in contemporary ballet!
Casting for Here + Now
Learn about our company dancers and read their bios here.
SKIN + saltwater
Choreography: Staycee Pearl
Music: Original music by Soy Sos
Thursday, March 24 | 7:30 p.m.
Grace Rookstool and Josiah Kauffman
Jonathan Breight
Erin Casale
Sam DerGregorian
Danielle Downey
Christian Garcia Campos
Marisa Grywalski
Joseph Parr
Cooper Verona
Friday, March 25 | 7:30 p.m.
Gabrielle Thurlow and Corey Bourbonniere
Jonathan Breight
Sujanya Dhillon
Madeline Gradle
Jack Hawn
Caitlyn Mendicino
Jacob Miller
Luke Mosher
JoAnna Schmidt
Saturday, March 26 | 2 p.m.
Grace Rookstool and Josiah Kauffman
Jonathan Breight
Erin Casale
Sujanya Dhillon
Sam DerGregorian
Christian Garcia Campos
Danielle Downey
Joseph Parr
Cooper Verona
Saturday, March 26 | 7:30 p.m.
Gabrielle Thurlow and Corey Bourbonniere
Jonathan Breight
Sujanya Dhillon
Madeline Gradle
Jack Hawn
Caitlyn Mendicino
Jacob Miller
Luke Mosher
JoAnna Schmidt
Sunday, March 27 | 2 p.m.
Grace Rookstool and Josiah Kauffman
Jonathan Breight
Erin Casale
Sam DerGregorian
Danielle Downey
Christian Garcia Campos
Marisa Grywalski
Luke Mosher
Cooper Verona
Depuis le Jour
Choreography: Gemma Bond
Music: “Depuis le Jour” from Act III of the French opera Louise by Gustave Charpentier
Thursday, March 24 | 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 26 | 7:30 p.m.
Hannah Carter
Colin McCaslin
Friday, March 25 | 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 27 | 2 p.m.
Alexandra Kochis
Joseph Parr
Saturday, March 26 | 2 p.m.
JoAnna Schmidt
Jonathan Breight
La Pluie
Choreography: Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Music: Aria from The Goldberg Variation by J.S. Bach BWV 988
Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 27 at 2 p.m.
Jessica McCann
Yoshiaki Nakano
Friday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 26 at 2 p.m.
Marisa Grywalski
Colin McCaslin
Three — 4, 6, 8
Choreography: Helen Pickett
Music: Knee Play No. 1 by Philip Glass
Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 26 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, March 27 at 2 p.m.
Corey Bourbonniere
Kurtis Sprowls
Josiah Kauffman
Friday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Sam DerGregorian
Jonathan Breight
Masahiro Haneji
Bright progressions
Choreography: Aszure Barton
Music: The Hour of Judgement, Mo’ Wiser, My Queen is Anna Julia Cooper, and To Never Forget the Source by The Sons of Kemet
All Performances
Corey Bourbonniere
Masahiro Haneji
Tommie Kesten
William Moore
Amanda Morgan
Yoshiaki Nakano
Grace Rookstool
Kurtis Sprowls
Victoria Watford
Diana Yohe
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Announces Its 2022 – 2023 Season
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director Susan Jaffe announced an exciting lineup of shows in store for the 2022 – 2023 season at a press conference this morning. From the works of internationally acclaimed choreographers and modern masters to the spine-chilling Dracula, wonderfully romantic The Sleeping Beauty and more, Jaffe carefully selected shows to excite everyone in her second full season.
“As I considered this season, I chose fresh, bold and challenging works to excite audiences with the art of ballet,” says Jaffe. “Having a mixture of the master works, the classics, dramatic work and innovation is how we keep the art form moving forward.”
“I believe that offering our audiences extraordinary choreography and good dancing will bring them back to the theater time and again, and this season’s shows offer an exceptional mixture of classical, provocative and innovative performances,” says Jaffe.
Tickets to each performance are available now for PBT subscribers, who enjoy first-choice access to prime seats, 20% savings over single tickets and an array of subscriber exclusives, including free ticket exchanges. Learn more at pbt.org/subscribe. Single tickets go on sale August 31, 2022 and start at $29. Groups of 10+ save up to 50% over regularly priced tickets. For The Nutcracker, discounts start for groups of 8+. Learn more at pbt.org/groups.
PBT’s 2022 – 2023 Season
Storytelling in Motion
October 6 – 9, 2022 | August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Choreography: Nacho Duato, Helen Pickett and Goyo Montero | Music: Mixed repertory
The 22 – 23 season kicks off with a taste of the world in Pittsburgh, highlighting internationally acclaimed choreographers whose work will excite audiences with innovative, thought-provoking and athletic performances. Nacho Duato’s Duende, which means “elf” in Spanish, lives up to its name with sculptural and otherworldly choreography keenly adapted to Debussy’s ethereal score. Helen Pickett’s The Exiled takes a departure from the ballet norms with a dramatic story that examines the complexity of human morality through a combination of ballet and narration. Finally, Goyo Montero’s Alrededor No Hay Nada pushes the boundaries of human physicality with this stirring and poetic piece that showcases the dancers’ athleticism.
The Nutcracker
December 9 – 28, 2022 | Benedum Center
Choreography and Concept: Terrence S. Orr | Music: Pyotr Tchaikovsky
In this distinctly Pittsburgh production of a holiday classic, PBT’s The Nutcracker follows Marie, her Nutcracker prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy on a journey into the Land of Enchantment. Five fanciful scenes, more than 150 unique costumes and Tchaikovsky’s enduring score make The Nutcracker a can’t-miss holiday tradition.
Dracula
February 10 – 12, 2023 | Benedum Center
Choreography: Michael Pink | Music: Philip Feeney
Fall under the spell of one of literature’s most entrancing characters in this theatrical production of Dracula. Michael Pink’s masterful storytelling shines in the choreography as each movement progresses the plot forward in this spine-chilling dance drama. Exquisite costumes, resplendent scenery and a dramatic score will immerse audiences in this edge-of-your-seat gothic tale of bloodlust and suspense that exhilarates novice ballet-goers and aficionados alike. Be sure to reserve your seats quickly — this production is an international success that sells out wherever it goes! Recommended for audiences ages 14 and older.
The Masters Program with the PBT Orchestra
April 14 – 16, 2023 | Benedum Center
Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon, Jorma Elo and George Balanchine | Music: Mixed repertory
Marvel at three works from award-winning choreographers who are considered masters of ballet, featuring pure classical dancing at its best with contemporary twists that go where no choreographer has gone before. Polyphonia, which is widely regarded as Tony-award-winning Christopher Wheeldon’s breakthrough contemporary work, showcases modern choreography with an understanding of the past. Dancers move at the speed of light while articulating the body in perfect harmony with music by Jean Sibelius in Jorma Elo’s 1st Flash. Plus, see why George Balanchine is hailed as the father of 20th century dance in Theme and Variations, which features a classic Tchaikovsky score, theme and 12 variations, culminating in a polonaise.
The Sleeping Beauty with the PBT Orchestra
May 19 – 21, 2023 | Benedum Center
Choreography: Ronald Hynd | Music: Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Drama and romance are palpable in this modernized production of the most classical of all full-length ballets. The Sleeping Beauty tells the story of a beautiful princess cursed into an eternal slumber until she is awoken by true love’s kiss. Filled with magnificent sets and costumes, an iconic Tchaikovsky score and incredible ballet technique, this wonderful fairytale is fun for the whole family.