UPDATE: Ohad Naharin’s “Minus 16” Announced for Atlanta Ballet’s March 2013 Program 

ATLANTA (Updated – Oct. 2, 2012) – After a landmark 2011-12 season, with premieres from world-renowned choreographers such as Twyla Tharp, Christopher Wheeldon and Wayne McGregor, Atlanta Ballet matches last season’s excitement with an equally imaginative and bold cast of choreographers and premieres.

The 2012-13 season will be highlighted by the long-awaited return of Michael Pink’s Dracula and the North American premiere of the critically acclaimed reinterpretation of Carmina Burana by British choreographer David Bintley.

“Our goal is to have Atlanta Ballet be the destination for what’s new, vibrant, and exciting,” said John McFall, artistic director of Atlanta Ballet. “Each season we venture to raise the bar artistically, and a major part of that is bringing the world’s most dynamic choreographers to our Company. This upcoming season reflects our bold ambitions with works that are edgy, stimulating and poetic, while reflective of our own time and our different cultures. They are special works that will challenge our dancers and hopefully challenge the audience too.”

Of particular note is the Atlanta Ballet debut of Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin, known for his innovative “Gaga” movement language that focuses on establishing mind-body connection.

Naharin, who is also artistic director of the Batsheva Dance Company in Tel Aviv, Israel, has been hailed as one of the world's preeminent contemporary choreographers and his choreography has been performed on stages all over the world. The Company will perform his provocative Minus 16, which has been lauded by critics and audiences all over since its 1999 world premiere.

“We’ve been looking forward to the opportunity to bring an Ohad Naharin work into the repertoire, and we hope it’s the beginning of a long-standing relationship,” said McFall. “He is one of the most remarkable choreographers in the industry and his contributions have made a huge impact on the world of dance.”

For the first time ever, Atlanta Ballet will begin its season in December with Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker at The Fabulous Fox Theatre. The Company has also added a one-hour family performance of Cinderella at the Gwinnett Preforming Arts Center (a first for the company) and the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

Atlanta Ballet’s 2012-13 Season – “Bold. Innovative. Exquisite.”

BELK PRESENTS ATLANTA BALLET’S NUTCRACKER (Full-evening Ballet)
December 7-26, 2012 | The Fabulous Fox Theatre
Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra

The season begins with the return of Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker to the Fabulous Fox Theatre, sponsored by Belk, Inc. The whimsical holiday tale takes 20 pounds of snow, eight tons of scenery, lighting, and props, and a 38-foot-tall Christmas tree to make the magic of Marya’s unbelievable story come to life. More than 250 of Atlanta’s young dancers will join the Atlanta Ballet professional company for this extravagant production live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and the Georgia Youth Choir for all performances. After 53 years, Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker continues to be a treasured holiday tradition shared by multiple generations.

CINDERELLA (One-hour Family Performance)
January 4-6, 2013 | NEW VENUE:Gwinnett Performing Arts Center
AND February 16-17, 2013 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Atlanta Ballet is delighted to present the classic rags-to-riches tale of Cinderella as a magical one-hour ballet experience for the entire family. Featuring the professional company and fellowship dancers from Atlanta Ballet’s Centre for Dance Education, this timeless masterpiece is sure to be a family treat.

Michael Pink's DRACULA (Full-evening Ballet)
February 8–16, 2013 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra

Back by popular demand, and just in time for Valentine’s Day, is Atlanta Ballet’s take on this tale of seduction and surrender. Based on Bram Stoker’s classic gothic horror story, Michael Pink’s Dracula is a lush cinematic work complete with sensuous costumes, theatrical sets and a gripping original score that has become one of the biggest hits in Atlanta Ballet history. 

NEW CHOREOGRAPHIC VOICES (Mixed Repertory)
Featuring the Atlanta Ballet Premiere of Israeli Choreographer Ohad Naharin’s “Minus 16”
World Premiere of “I AM” by Choreographer Gina Patterson
March 22-24, 2013 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Atlanta Ballet’s edgy mixed rep program New Choreographic Voices will return this season with a slate of premieres that promises a look at the bold, new directions in the world of contemporary dance.

Atlanta Ballet will go “Gaga” with the debut of renowned Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin’s critically acclaimed Minus 16. “Gaga” is Naharin’s signature, free-flowing movement style that embraces the unconventional and thrives on the unexpected. Minus 16 was most recently performed by New York’s Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and has been described as a choreographic masterpiece with a musical score that ranges from Dean Martin and mambo to traditional Israeli songs. The unique experience calls for the audience to get in on the action as well as they are invited to be a part of the dance, breaking the barrier between performer and spectator.

Joining Naharin on the program will be choreographer Gina Patterson who’s back creating a second world premiere for Atlanta Ballet titled I AM. Patterson created her first work for the Company in 2011 on its first New Choreographic Voices program. The world premiere, Quietly Walking, was called a “polished balletic masterpiece” by Dance Informa Magazine.   

DAVID BINTLEY'S CARMINA BURANA (Full-evening Ballet)
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
April 12–14, 2013 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and the Georgia State University Singers

Carl Orff’s dramatic, emotionally-charged score is the backdrop for British choreographer David Bintley’s dazzling and inventive modern interpretation of Carmina Burana. The theatrical, large-scale production follows three seminarians as they reject their faith and explore the pleasures of the flesh. 

LOVE STORIES (Mixed Repertory)
May 10–12, 2013 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Atlanta Ballet explores the theme of love through both classic and innovative choreography. Highlighting the athleticism and passion of Atlanta Ballet’s dancers, these performances find new meaning in the world’s greatest love stories.

Single tickets and season ticket packages are on sale now. For more information on Atlanta Ballet’s 12-13 season, including ticket information, call 404-873-5811 or visit Atlanta Ballet at www.atlantaballet.com.

Delta Air Lines is the official airline for Atlanta Ballet. Additional season sponsors include Gas South, the official sponsor for Michael Pink’s Dracula; Publix Super Markets Charities, the official supporting sponsor of Cinderella; and Belk, Inc., the presenting sponsor for Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker.

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Atlanta Ballet 2012-13 Season Special Events:
2012 Corps de Ballet Luncheon
Monday, September 24, 2012 at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead

2013 Atlanta Ballet Ball
Saturday, February 23, 2013 at the St. Regis Hotel Buckhead
 

About Atlanta Ballet
Founded in 1929, Atlanta Ballet is one of the premier dance companies in the country and the official state Ballet of Georgia. Atlanta Ballet's eclectic repertoire spans ballet history, highlighted by beloved classics and inventive originals. After 82 years, Atlanta Ballet continues its commitment to share and educate audiences on the empowering joy of dance. In 1996, Atlanta Ballet opened the Centre for Dance Education and is dedicated to nurturing young dancers while providing an outlet for adults to express their creativity. The Centre serves over 150,000 people in metro Atlanta each year. Atlanta Ballet's roots remain firmly grounded in the Atlanta community and continue to play a vital role in the city's cultural growth and revitalization. For more information, follow us on Twitter @atlantaballet, and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atlantaballet.

Contact:
Sigele Winbush - (404) 862-2081
publicrelations@atlantaballet.com