By SARAH TINCHER JULY 2, 2018 12:00 PM AFTER THOUGHTS WITH JAMES SOFRANKO From the Grand Rapids Magazine July 2018 issue. Available on newsstands now or via subscription. The Grand Rapids Ballet welcomed accomplished dancer, choreographer and artistic entrepreneur James Sofranko as its new artistic director on July 1. In this capacity, Sofranko is responsible for all artistic direction and planning for […]
A Closer Look at Wild Sweet Love by Jade Butler For his inaugural Grand Rapids Ballet rep (short for repertory: a production in which a company presents several different works in one show), new artistic director James Sofranko thoughtfully selected vastly different masterpieces. Three will be Grand Rapids premieres: Allegro Brilliante by modern master George Balanchine; Ghost Light by our choreographer-in-residence and Princess Grace Award winner, Penny […]
written by Connie Flachs “It is through art, and through art only, that we can realize our perfection; through art and art only that we can shield ourselves from the sordid perils of actual existence.” —Oscar Wilde ACT I The Happy Prince Oscar Wilde, already an established and beloved poet and playwright, works at […]
written by Connie Flachs; costume and character illustrations by Sadie Rothenberg Oscar Wilde – The Happy Prince A talented playwright, poet, and author with a penchant for flowery language, gaudy fashion, and witty humor. At the height of his career he is a beloved figure in London society. He values beauty in art above utility […]
2018-19 Grand Rapids Ballet Season Announcement We hope you’re as excited as we are about our amazing new season! Without further ado, here we go… WILD SWEET LOVE Enjoy four passion-filled works in one spectacular performance featuring Allegro Brilliante by the father of American ballet, George Balanchine, and music by Tchaikovsky; Trey McIntyre’s fun-filled epic […]
We’re happy to announce Elizabeth McCarthy Musil as been appointed our new Director of Development. Elizabeth will join us February 19, 2018 to lead fundraising efforts and mission advancement of the 47-year-old institution. Elizabeth comes to us from Disability Advocates of Kent County where she served as Development Director since 2015. There she provided leadership […]
MOVEMEDIA: Diversity I February 9-11, 2018 | Peter Martin Wege Theatre Diversity is a hot topic right now—and for very good reasons. As the world becomes more inclusive, it’s important that these changes are reflected and celebrated by the arts and culture around us. That’s why the next two installments of our contemporary dance series, […]
Search Committee Co-Chairs Dana Baldwin and Leah Voigt announced today the appointment of James Sofranko as the new Artistic Director of Michigan’s only professional ballet company. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, and dancers of Grand Rapids Ballet, we are excited to welcome James Sofranko to Grand Rapids. He is a true star […]
The Benefits of Youth Ballet for Children Originally published by Child Development Institute When it comes to their kids, parents want them to have the best. Exposure to things like sports and the arts help them to become more well rounded young men and women. Have you thought about ballet? Kids are into all sorts […]
Farewell, Dawnell Dawnell Dryja—long-time company member and audience favorite—announced her retirement from the stage will occur during the Grand Rapids Ballet’s 16th season. She will dance in the first show of the 2017-18 season only (From Russia with Love) and continue to be involved at GRB in her new role as artistic coordinator. “Dawnell will […]
