Texas Ballet Theater Announces 2011-12 Season

The Texas Ballet Theater is adding a new wrinkle to its 2011-12 season – a mini ballet festival. The company will close the season in late April with the Portraits Ballet Festival, and event dedicated to shorter works. The festival will span two weekends, which each weekend featuring three ballets each.

The season will open Oct. 21 at Bass Performance Hall with Artistic Director Ben Stevenson’s take on the classic Giselle. After that, it’s on to (you guessed it) The Nutcracker, plus one performance of the Nutcracker sendup The Nutty Nutcracker on Dec. 23.

The final full show of the season is Stevenson’s Dracula in February, followed by the Portraits festival.

Keep reading for the news release, including the dates of each show:

North Texas – Texas Ballet Theater Artistic Director Ben Stevenson, today announced the 2011-2012 season titled “Works of Artistry.” The new season will open with Stevenson’s production of the ballet classic Giselle, never before seen by audiences in North Texas, with sets and costumes from American Ballet Theater. Giselle will be followed by the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, and the 3^rd annual The Nutty Nutcracker, a slightly naughty spoof using current events and pop culture icons in an adult take on this holiday classic. Ben Stevenson’s Dracula will follow in February, along with the TBT gala event, “An Evening to Die For”, which will carry on the haunting Dracula theme at Fort Worth’s Renaissance Worthington Hotel on February 11, 2012.

TBT is also very pleased to announce a new concept in its “Works of Artistry” season, with the introduction of its Portraits Ballet Festival, which will close the season with two weekends in Spring 2012, featuring six shorter works over the two weekends.

This exciting new season features TBT’s much-loved story ballets, new works by two young Company choreographers, a new venue and two new ballet festival weekends. Truly something for everyone.

2011-2012 Season

“Works of Artistry”

World Premiere: Ben Stevenson’s Giselle

October 21 @ 8 PM

October 22 @ 2 PM and 8 PM

October 23 @ 2 PM

Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth

Giselle is a young peasant girl driven to madness and an untimely death upon discovering that her true love, Albrecht, has deceived her. Giselle, who now resides in an otherworldly forest of beguiled female spirits, protects her remorseful lover from the Wilis evil vengeance.

Ben Stevenson’s The Nutcracker

November 25 – December 4, 2011 (numerous dates and times/check the web site for details)

AT&T Performing Arts Center Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House

December 9 – 24, 2011 (numerous dates and times/check web site for details)

Bass Performance Hall

Loved by young and old alike, don’t miss this holiday classic, featuring a little girl named Clara, the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets, the frightful Rat King, a Christmas tree that grows to 40 feet, and snow that falls on the audience. A family treat!

The Nutty Nutcracker

December 23, 2011 @ 7 PM (please note performance time/one performance only)

Bass Performance Hall

Tired of Sugar Plums and everything nice? Don’t miss our 3^rd Annual The Nutty Nutcracker, a slightly naughty spoof using current events and pop culture icons in an adult take on this holiday classic. Get your tickets early. This show is sure to be a sell-out.

Ben Stevenson’s Dracula

February 24 @ 8 PM

February 25 @ 2 PM and 8 PM

February 26 @ 2 PM

Bass Performance Hall

Take a haunting trip to Transylvania where the evil Count seduces his victims. Featuring vampire brides flying through the air, a ghastly coach that winds on and off stage, and the haunting music of Franz Liszt.

Portraits Ballet Festival – Weekend I (three ballets in each performance)

April 20 @ 8 PM

April 21 @ 8 PM

April 22 @ 2 PM

AT&T Performing Arts Center Wyly Theatre

George Balanchine’s Apollo

Inspired by the Greek God Apollo, the patron god of music and poetry

Ben Stevenson’s Bartok

A showcase of neoclassical dance

World Premiere

Choreographed by Company member Carl Coomer

Portraits Ballet Festival – Weekend II (three ballets in each performance)