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In Memory of
Thalia Carlos
August 1, 1927 –
May 22, 2011
On May 22, 2011 Atlanta Ballet lost a beloved friend, Mrs. Thalia N. Carlos. The staff and Board of the Atlanta Ballet offer their condolences to the family and friends of Thalia, wife of the late Atlanta philanthropist Michael C. Carlos. Thalia was an Atlanta native and active community volunteer who was passionate about the arts community and Atlanta Ballet. Mr. and Mrs. Carlos were avid patrons of the Ballet, a tradition now carried on by their son, Chris M. Carlos, and daughter-in-law, Merry Carlos. Merry is a member of Atlanta Ballet’s Board of Trustees and both Merry and Chris are devoted parents to two girls in the Centre for Dance Education. Thalia was a frequent ballet attendee and greatly enjoyed watching her granddaughters perform annually in Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker.
The Carlos family has been instrumental in Atlanta Ballet’s transformation. Their leadership and dedication resulted in the naming of Atlanta Ballet’s new home in honor of Mr. Carlos. The Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre opened in August 2010 with Thalia, Merry, and Chris cutting the ribbon together. Atlanta Ballet would not be able to provide innovative performances, transformational outreach programming, or dance education to Atlanta without the visionary leadership of Thalia and her family.
The Carlos family has a rich legacy of philanthropy that began over five decades ago with Thalia and Michael C. Carlos. Thalia had a personal passion for the arts and making things beautiful and she strived to share this love with the Atlanta community. She was confident that Merry and Chris would continue the family’s legacy of philanthropy that has transformed the cultural landscape of the state of Georgia. Thalia’s spirit and generosity made an indelible mark on the Atlanta Ballet family, and all that had the pleasure to witness her passion for the arts and her family will truly miss her.
Twyla Tharp Brings World Premiere Full-Evening Work to Atlanta Ballet and Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet
It was history in the making as Atlanta Ballet announced one of the most monumental collaborations of its 82-year history - a world premiere full-evening ballet by choreographic giant Twyla Tharp.
Tharp, who turns 70 this summer, is regarded as one of the world's greatest living choreographers, with a prolific catalog of over 135 works that span genres and generations, including ballets, books, blockbuster productions on Broadway and in Vegas, and Hollywood screen credits in movies like Hair and Ragtime. Tharp is the recipient of many awards and grants, counting a Tony Award, two Emmys, 19 honorary doctorates, the 2004 National Medal of the Arts and a 2008 Kennedy Center Honor.
Now she, Atlanta Ballet and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) have set their sights on a new work that will incorporate a cast of professional dancers and children performing to the work of Franz Schubert. Tharp joined Atlanta Ballet artistic director John McFall and RWB artistic director Andre Lewis on Tuesday, March 15th for the announcement of the project, which will be a co-production between the two companies. Atlanta will host the world premiere of the new ballet in February 2012 as the headline production of its 2011-2012 season, followed by RWB's Canadian premiere in fall 2012.
For the full press release on the Twyla Tharp Project, click here.
Press on the Twyla Tharp Project:
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Creative Loafing
ArtsCriticATL
The New York Times
Associated Press
Georgia Public Broadcasting
World's Greatest Choreographers Assemble for Atlanta Ballet's Breakout 2011-12 Season
On March 15th, Atlanta Ballet unveiled its most dynamic season yet: an inventive repertoire featuring works from five of the world's greatest living choreographers, including a pop icon, Commander of the British Empire and a Radiohead collaborator.
The singular cast of choreographers can easily be considered modern-day legends whose dances have been performed by the most prominent ballet companies in the world, and whose talents have awarded them fame outside of the ballet world. Now they each bring their genius to Atlanta Ballet.
The 2011-12 season, aptly titled "Here. Now. In Atlanta." ventures to expose Atlantans to the pinnacle of art and dance today, while reflecting a renewed artistic vision of the distinguished 82-year-old company. "We're really excited about the direction Atlanta Ballet is heading," said executive director Arthur Jacobus. "We're venturing outwards, creating a distinct artistic profile that celebrates athleticism and thrives on the frontier of new choreography today. We're moving towards a repertoire that will highlight the incredible talent and power of our company and our dancers."
Still anchored by classics like Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker and The Four Seasons, the upcoming season offers a harmonious mix of classical and modern. "It's emotional, inspiring, kinetic and intellectually stirring - here, now, and most importantly, in Atlanta," said John McFall, Atlanta Ballet's artistic director.
THE FOUR SEASONS by James Kudelka
EDEN/EDEN by Wayne McGregor
October 21-23, 2011 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
BELK PRESENTS ATLANTA BALLET'S NUTCRACKER
December 8-24, 2011 at The Fabulous Fox Theatre
ATLANTA BALLET PRESENTS:
CANADA'S ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET'S WONDERLAND
January 12-14, 2012 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
THE TWYLA THARP PROJECT: A WORLD PREMIERE
A Full-Evening Ballet by Twyla Tharp
Co-Production with Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra
February 10-19, 2012 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
SNOW WHITE, a One-Hour Family Performance
February 18, 2012 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
MAN IN BLACK by James Kudelka
RUSH by Christopher Wheeldon
FIRST FLASH by Jorma Elo
March 23-25, 2012 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
NEW CHOREOGRAPHIC VOICES
May 18-20, 2012 on The Alliance Stage at The Woodruff Arts Center
Season ticket packages range from $44 to $364 and are on sale now. To purchase season tickets, click here.
For the full 2011-12 Season press release, click here, or for the 2011-12 Season one-sheet, click here.
Atlanta Ballet Leaps into Sustainable Movement
The Atlanta Business Chronicle details Atlanta Ballet's move to the state-of-the-art Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre:
"Atlanta Ballet leaps off the side of the massive building on Marietta Boulevard in giant letters that are impossible to ignore. The sight trumpets what has become a major advance for this 80-year-old arts organization.
The large, technologically advanced structure is a home for both the company and its Centre for Dance Education that is sure to make Atlanta's arts community sit up and take notice. It's also something of a record setter. Atlanta Ballet officials say the facility is one of the first LEED Gold certified headquarters for an arts organization in the country.
The Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre is a big step up by any measure, but for longtime ballet members such as Artistic Director John McFall, who remembers when the ballet practiced in quarters that offered neither showers nor hot water, it's more like the realization of a dream." Read the entire story on Atlanta Business Chronicle's website.
The Campaign for Atlanta Ballet – Choreographing Our Future
Atlanta Ballet is kicking off a capital campaign to raise $14.8 million, the largest fundraising effort in the organization’s 79 year history. As of the public announcement, $10 million has been secured towards the campaign, representing more than 67 percent of the goal. The Campaign for Atlanta Ballet now moves into the public phase engaging the community to aid in securing a new home and a solid future for Atlanta Ballet.
The largest donation for the campaign has come from the Michael C. and Thalia N. Carlos Foundation with a $3 million gift to name Atlanta Ballet’s new headquarters. Chris and Merry Carlos have been long time Atlanta Ballet supporters, and Merry sits on the Board of Trustees. The building will be named in the memory of Chris’ father and Atlanta philanthropist Michael C. Carlos. The new building, which the organization plans to move to in summer 2010, is to be named the “Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre.”
“We are proud to be able to carry on my father’s commitment to the arts and his home community,” said Chris Carlos. “Contributing to an organization that represents both grace and strength is the perfect tribute to his name.”
The campaign is being chaired by arts patron and former Atlanta Ballet dancer, Lynda Courts and Holder Construction CEO, Thomas M. Holder.
In the spring of 2008, Atlanta Ballet engaged Coxe Curry & Associates to conduct a feasibility study to assess the current market for purchasing and building our new home and strengthening the organization’s financial position. The overwhelming response was supportive and encouraged immediate action.
“We are taking our cues from the donor community and focusing on what really matters for our Ballet and for the community,” says Courts. “We will continue to set our artistic sights high as a part of a vibrant cultural community, while striving to work smarter to ensure our stable financial future, particularly in these challenging economic times.”
The $14.8 million campaign for Atlanta Ballet will support the following priorities:
- Purchasing property for the new headquarters,
- Renovation of that property,
- Product and audience development, expanded marketing, and
- Long-term sustainability of the organization.
“It is imperative that Atlanta Ballet create a model that assures our long-term financial stability and sustainability. We must continue to present and market exceptional art, as well as provide deep and meaningful arts education opportunities in the community. At the same time, we need to build a solid financial base through the execution of sound long-term business strategies and a comprehensive business plan including the creation of the Atlanta Ballet Endowment,” said Barry Hughson Executive Director of Atlanta Ballet. “Thanks to a generous $1 million challenge grant from local business woman, philanthropist and long-time Atlanta Ballet patron Audrey B. Morgan, we expect to raise an additional $3 million which, combined with existing endowment assets, will bring Atlanta Ballet’s endowment total to $5.6 million.”
Other key leadership donors include the Kendeda Fund, the R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation, Patti E. Wallace and Holder Construction Company. Atlanta Ballet’s Board of Trustees has committed 100 percent participation, with a goal to raise a minimum combined contribution of $5 million.
Atlanta Ballet and Kennesaw State University Announce Educational Partnership
The Atlanta Ballet-Kennesaw State University partnership was featured in the March issue of Dance Magazine! Click here to read the article.
Atlanta Ballet is proud to announce the launch of a new partnership with the Program in Dance at Kennesaw State University. The partnership is aimed at providing a venue for collaborative dance education between the two institutions. Company members from Atlanta Ballet and students at the Centre for Dance Education will have the opportunity of pursuing Bachelor of Art degrees in dance at Kennesaw State University. Professional company and Fellowship dancers will be able to apply for advanced professional credit towards their degrees, and pursue both a professional and academic career through their association with both institutions.
Undergraduate dance students enrolled in the Program in Dance at Kennesaw State University will receive special discounts and concessions to Atlanta Ballet performances, classes and events. Advanced level students will also have opportunities to audition for supernumerary roles with Atlanta Ballet and gain professional performance experience. Atlanta Ballet will provide internship opportunities for KSU dance majors at the Centre for Dance education, giving KSU students professional administrative experience in the field of dance.
The Kennesaw State University Program in Dance is housed in the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies within the College of The Arts. The program was started in fall 2005, and has quickly grown into one of the leading undergraduate dance programs in the Southeast, offering a B.A. degree in Dance as well as an undergraduate dance minor. The Kennesaw State University Dance Company has received several regional and national recognitions, including the honor of being selected in June 2008 to represent the southeast at the National American College Dance Festival in New York City.
Founded in 1996, the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education is nationally accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. The Centre has become one of the top ten dance education facilities in the country and continues to set a high standard for excellence in dance education. The Centre prides itself on its community partnerships, and is proud to add a new dimension of collegiate education through its partnership with Kennesaw State University.
Learn more about the Kennesaw State University Program in Dance.
Reviews
Atlanta Ballet's revamped 'Nutcracker,' fewer children on stage, a more polished production; What makes 'Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker' worth seeing again is simply that it's not the same production every year. Small changes make the sheer beauty and endless variety of classical ballet - plus the dancers' technical skill and emotional generosity - increasingly clear. Read the entire review by Cynthia Bond Perry, ArtsCriticATL.com
Atlanta Ballet's 'Moulin Rouge' captures Paris with brilliance and can-can; Visually stunning and impeccably costumed, Jorden Morris' 'Moulin Rouge - The Ballet' merges French can-can dancing and sultry tango with a tidy, classical ballet style. Read the entire review by Cynthia Bond Perry, ArtsCriticATL.com
'Moulin Rouge' at Atlanta Ballet; This is a stunningly beautiful ballet, filled with turn-of-the-century Parisian ambience. Read the entire review by Manning Harris, Atlanta INtown
'Nutcracker' still charms after 50 years; The ballerinas prove as pretty and delicate as the countless snowflakes that drift down from the Fox's starry ceiling. Read the entire review by Curt Holman, Creative Loafing
Atlanta Ballet presents 'Magic Flute'; 'Magic Flute' shone as Atlanta Ballet's full-length season opener fraught with whimsical and amorous interludes coupled with a mixture of stellar solo performances. Read the entire review by Pamela Gaye, Ballet.co
Ballet's 'Swan Lake' remains delightful; Physically arduous gestures and extreme body contortions are made to look sublimely effortless. Such beauty never fails to give a shiver. Read the entire review by Pierre Ruhe, AJC
When ballet plays footsie with hip-hop; "big" is big, and the hip, cheering and wildly diverse audience on Thursday night is undoubtedly what the Atlanta Ballet's director, John McFall, had in mind when he suggested the collaboration to Mr. Patton. Read the entire review by Roslyn Sulcas, The New York Times
