Orlando Sentinel 2023-24 Arts Season Preview: Dance
⇒ IN THE SPOTLIGHT
ORLANDO BALLET TURNS 50
This season Orlando Ballet marks 50 years of entertaining through dance, since its inception back in 1974 as Performing Arts Company of Florida. In 1978 that name was changed to Southern Ballet Theatre before the 2002 rebrand as Orlando Ballet.
Under the leadership of artistic director Jorden Morris, Orlando Ballet will open its golden-anniversary season with “Reflections,” a program that will include two beloved works.
Paul Taylor’s “Company B,” tells a story of old-fashioned American optimism and love alongside war and loss, all set to the “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”-era music of The Andrews Sisters. George Balanchine’s “Serenade” presents a study in elegance, precision and grace set to the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky, performed by the Bach Festival Society orchestra.
An extra treat will be the world premiere of a film detailing the company’s history. It’s described as “a story about love for the art form and the risk-taking that helped build the organization, including missteps and victories that occurred along the way.”
Performances of “Reflections: 50th Anniversary Celebration” are Sept. 21-24 in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. More information: orlandoballet.org.
⇒ YOUR SEASON PLANNER
Schedules are subject to change, so always double-check before heading to an event.
CENTRAL FLORIDA BALLET
The organization, which hosts the annual World Ballet Competition, performs at the Linda Chapin Theater at the Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive in Orlando. More information: centralfloridaballet.com
THE NUTCRACKER: Dec. 16-17. Pyrotechnics, fiber-optic technology and twirling aerialists add to the pizazz of the classic holiday story of a little girl who visits a magical land.
WORLD BALLET COMPETITION: June 11-14, 2024. Watch more than 200 competitors from 25 countries in their daily performances, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., as they vie for scholarships and cash prizes. An Olympics-style system reveals their scores from the five judges. It’s free to attend, though a $10 donation is suggested.
WORLD BALLET COMPETITION ALL-STARS PERFORMANCE FINALE: June 15, 2024. This one-night-only evening of dance stars competition winners and international guest performers.
CORSETS & CUTIES
The burlesque troupe performs at Theater West End, 115 W. First St. in Sanford. More information: corsetsandcuties.com
8TH AMATEUR CONTEST: Sept. 24. Cheer for contestants as they compete for audience votes.
TRICK OR TEASE: Oct. 13. Seasonal show; audience members encouraged to come in costume.
HOLIDAY SHOW: Nov. 26. The holiday hotties will “jingle your bells”; audience members are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy as a charitable donation.
DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Dr. Phillips Center is at 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. More information: drphillipscenter.org
VOLVER (THE COMEBACK): Oct. 14. The Tango Lovers company presents this touring production exploring the art of the tango with a live orchestra, singers and dancers from Argentina and Uruguay.
DEREK HOUGH: SYMPHONY OF DANCE: Dec. 12. The “Dancing With the Stars” performer leads a dance program with a troupe of fellow dancers, guest Hayley Erbert and a live band.
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS: Jan. 6, 2024. Classical Arts Entertainment presents the fairy-tale ballet.
EMOTIONS DANCE
The professional contemporary-dance company, led by artistic director Larissa Humiston, performs at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, 600 N. Lake Formosa Drive in Orlando. More information: 407-788-1659 or EmotionsDance.org
THE SHIFT: Sept. 21-22. “The Shift” showcases multiple companies, including Crawford Jazz Project, Emergence Dance and Drapinski Dance Company performing alongside Emotions Dance.
ART IN MOTION: Oct. 14-15. Audiences will see their favorite works of art come to life in a performance inspired by works such as the “Mona Lisa,” “The Scream” and more.
UNTOLD STORIES: Feb. 17-18, 2024. Inspired by artistic director Larissa Humiston’s work as a therapist, the program looks at the human emotions behind grief, addiction and loss, as well as hope and perseverance.
ELEMENT EARTH: April 2024 (exact dates TBA). Showcasing the elements of fire, earth, water and air, the company explores topics such as climate change and oil dependency, while also highlighting the beauty of our planet and the need to save it.
FLAMENCO DEL SOL
The dance company celebrates the Spanish dance form. More information: flamencodelsol.com
ESCENCIA: Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at the Seminole State College Sanford-Lake Mary campus. An immersive journey to the caves of Sacromonte in Spain, where flamenco music, dance and poetry mingle in an intimate venue.
FLAMENCO DEL SOL: April 14, 2024. Performance at Ritz Theater, 201 Magnolia Ave. in Sanford.
ORLANDO BALLET
Mainstage performances are at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. More information: Orlandoballet.org
MAINSTAGE
REFLECTIONS: A 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Sept. 21-24. With Paul Taylor’s “Company B” and George Balanchine’s “Serenade.”
THE NUTCRACKER: Dec. 8-25. A little girl visits an enchanted land in this Christmas classic, given an all-new production this year.
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY: Feb. 15-18, 2024. Princess Aurora gets a romantic wake-up call, set to a Tchaikovsky score.
DIRECTOR’S CHOICE: March 28-31, 2024. A new work from Orlando Ballet rehearsal director Heath Gill; Stephanie Martinez’s “Dos Lados (Two Sides),” performed to Spanish guitar; Jordan Morris’s “Deverell,” an ode to his Celtic roots.
CASANOVA: May 16-19, 2024. Venetian masquerades and period costumes help tell how Casanova’s plans for a career in the church are derailed by his own decadence.
OTHER EVENTS
UNCORKED: Sept. 20, Nov. 8 and Jan. 10, 2023, at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, 600. N. Lake Formosa Drive in Orlando. “Uncorked” evenings provide a relaxed, behind-the-scenes look at ballet and the creative process.
ORLANDO COMMUNITY ARTS
The organization presents its holiday show at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. More information: clareandthechocolatenutcracker.com
CLARE AND THE CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER: Nov. 25. The traditional nutcracker gets an African American twist from Beverly Page in this bold and multicultural reimagining that incorporates jazz, soul and contemporary music and dance.
VALENCIA COLLEGE
Performances occur at the Valencia College East Campus Performing Arts Center, 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando. More information: 407-582-2900 or valenciacollege.edu/arts
CHOREOGRAPHERS’ SHOWCASE: Nov. 3-4. A student choreography showcase.
3 IN MOTION: Jan. 26, 2024. The event includes dance performances by the Dr. Phillips High School Magnet Program, Yow Dance and Valencia College’s Valencia Dance Theatre.
VALENCIA SPRING DANCE CONCERT: March 15-16, 2024.
VALENCIA DANCE SUMMER REPERTORY CONCERT: July 12-13, 2024.
— Listings compiled by Matthew J. Palm
