We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy during this difficult time. Grand Rapids Ballet School remains responsive to the unfolding COVID-19 conditions, keeping the health and safety of our students, staff, and community as first priority.
At the direction of Michigan Governor Whitmer’s state-wide order for schools to close for the remainder of the semester, we have suspended all operations and the reopening of Grand Rapids Ballet School until it is deemed safe to do so. As such, it is with greatest regret that we announce the cancellation of our 2020 Summer Intensives and Summer Camps.
To request a refund, email us:
We look forward to our return to the studios as soon as possible to continue to bring professional ballet instruction to our community. In the event it is safe to reopen mid-summer, and we have the time and resources to prepare, we will post information about the opportunity for summer classes on this page. Thank you for your continued support of Grand Rapids Ballet School.
Attila Mosolygo, School Director
Grand Rapids Ballet has been monitoring the global outbreak of COVID-19 and planning for a variety of contingencies as the virus has spread. Our highest priority is to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of every audience member, dancer, student, parent, staff member, volunteer, and our West Michigan community. We are also reviewing guidance from government authorities at the federal, state, and local governments. Ensuring health and safety now means taking actions to limit potential exposure to the virus and create social distancing.
We encourage you to learn more about the virus, free virtual screening, symptoms, ways to prevent transmission, and more from our friends and partners at Spectrum Health.
Effective Friday, March 13, the following performances have been postponed:
- MARCH 13 | Aladdin | 7:30pm | Peter Martin Wege Theatre
- MARCH 14 | Aladdin & Jasmine’s Royal Tea | 11am | New Hotel Mertens
- MARCH 14 | Aladdin | 2pm | Peter Martin Wege Theatre
- MARCH 15 | Aladdin | 2pm | Peter Martin Wege Theatre
- MARCH 21 | Aladdin | 2pm | Peter Martin Wege Theatre
- MARCH 22 | Aladdin | 2pm | Peter Martin Wege Theatre
The following performances have been cancelled:
- APRIL 6-10 | Spring Break for Kids: Little Red Riding Hood | 11am | Peter Martin Wege Theatre
TICKET POLICY FOR POSTPONED PERFORMANCES
Aladdin and Aladdin & Jasmine’s Royal Tea have been postponed. New dates to be announced and no refunds are being issued at this time.
TICKET POLICY FOR CANCELLED PERFORMANCES
For Spring Break for Kids refunds, contact our box office via email at boxoffice@grballet.com. Please provide your name, performance date, # of tickets purchased, and contact number and we will get back to you as quickly as possible with options.
GRAND RAPIDS BALLET CLOSURE DATES
Effective Friday, March 13, Grand Rapids Ballet administrative and box office staff will be working remotely and the office will be physically closed through Sunday, April 12. However, we will have the ability to answer ticket inquiries and requests by phone on a limited basis and will get back to you as quickly as possible. In the meantime, tickets may always be purchased online at grballet.com.
GRAND RAPIDS BALLET SCHOOL CLOSURE DATES
Effective Friday, March 13, Grand Rapids Ballet School offices will be closed and no classes will be held through Sunday, April 5. You will receive updates via email should this date change.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Thank you for your continued support of Grand Rapids Ballet and Grand Rapids Ballet School.
Glenn Del Vecchio, Executive Director
James Sofranko, Artistic Director
Attila Mosolygo, School Director
Learn more about Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company’s production of Aladdin
A Q&A with Grand Rapids Ballet’s Marketing Coordinator, Julie Lesniak
Before Aladdin opens on March 13 and runs for two weekends at Peter Martin Wege Theatre, I went behind-the-scenes with choreographer, former professional dancer, and current Grand Rapids Ballet School and Junior Company Director, Attila Mosolygo. I wanted to learn more about his creative process and what audiences can expect from his production of this classic story.
Q: Attila, thanks for taking the time to answer some questions today. Is this your first time choreographing Aladdin?
A: You’re welcome. Yes, this is my first time choreographing this story myself and on the Junior Company. It’s very exciting to bring new material to the city and to our student dancers.
Q: What inspired your choice?
A: As a child, I read Aladdin and really enjoyed it. Fast forward to now and my son and daughter are big fans of the story, too. I thought it would make a great children’s ballet since it is obviously a story that is loved by many generations. My family is the perfect example.
Q: What are the similarities and differences between this production of Aladdin and the Disney movie with which so many audiences are familiar?
A: Though my interpretation of the story is based on a folktale from the book One Thousand and One Nights and not the Disney movie, there are similarities. For instance, our story will have some of the same characters, but a key difference in ours is Aladdin’s mom is part of the ballet. Also, there will be not one but two genies in our version: the Genie of the Ring and the Genie of the Lamp.
Q: Who doesn’t need more magical genies in their life, right? That’s great! I hear a giant dragon will make an appearance, too. Tell us more.
A: The dragon opens our story so he’s very important in setting the tone for the entire production which is why I’ve been working so hard to create him myself. This addition was my idea as I wanted to give a little background on the origins of the magic oil lamp. Building the dragon was a challenge, since I had never made one before. But I like a challenge as people know. There was a lot of paper, foam, and glue involved and I used vibrant colors to catch the attention of the audience right away. His character is as important as any other in the show and I know he’s going to love the applause (laughs).
Q: Wow, we are certainly excited to see him on stage! What about costumes and lighting? How will each compliment the dragon?
A: For both costumes and lighting I wanted strong, energetic colors; I want to make a big statement on stage. Costumes are designed by our costume shop manager, Ronald Altman. Once costumes are in place, we can begin designing the lighting plot, so that’s still very much a work in progress. It will be eye-catching and full of excitement, though. I can guarantee it.
Q: Before you get back to work, how would you describe this production of Aladdin in one word?
A: The first word that comes to mind — or I would like audience members to think of when they see the ballet— is inspiring. The Junior Company dancers work very hard to bring my vision to life and they take my directions very seriously. For some, it is their first time performing with the group, so they have to give me their trust and be willing to try new things. Senior members of the company are wonderful role models for the new dancers as I am asking them to do things they have never done before. It makes for a very exciting creative process for everyone involved. This ballet is a great way to introduce children and adults to the wonderful world of costumes, lights, sets, props, choreography, storytelling, music, and the magic of dance. This is certainly a production full of adventure that you and your family don’t want to miss!
See the Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company preform Aladdin, March 13- 15 and 21-22 at Peter Martin Wege Theatre. Tickets are on sale now on Ticketmaster, our website, and our box office at 341 Ellsworth Avenue SW, or by calling 616.454.4771 x10 today.
Photo by Katie Aaberg
Grand Rapids Ballet School
Summer Intensive
Resident Assistants
Name: Keenan Kangas
Hometown: Lansing, Michigan
Dance experience: 10 years of musical theater and 5 years of ballet
Favorite food: Fettuccine alfredo
Favorite movie: Titanic
Favorite toppings on a pizza: Chicken barbecue
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Middle Earth
Favorite dance company: Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
Photo by Katie Aaberg
Grand Rapids Ballet School
Summer Intensive
Resident Assistants
Name: Rebecca Levin
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Dance Experience: 15 years with an emphasis on ballet. Currently studies at Butler University.
Favorite movie: Monsters University
Favorite food: Mangoes and avocados
Best season: Summer
Favorite toppings on a pizza: Pineapple
Favorite ballet: Giselle
Photo by Katie Aaberg
Grand Rapids Ballet School
Summer Intensive
Resident Assistants
Name: Liz
Hometown: East Lansing, Michigan
Dance experience: 29 years. Received a BFA in dance from Oakland University and a master’s in Arts Development from University of Denver. Danced for various contemporary companies. Performed as a B-girl and a backup dancer.
Favorite movie: Some Like It Hot
Favorite food: Sushi
Best season: Fall
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Maui
Favorite choreographer: José Limón
Photo by Katie Aaberg
Grand Rapids Ballet School
Summer Intensive
Resident Assistants
Name: Nigel Tau
Hometown: Savannah, Georgia
Dance experience: 13 years. Trained at Next Generation and BalletMet. Currently dances with Grand Rapids Ballet as a company member.
Favorite food: Donuts
Favorite movie: Imitation Game
Favorite toppings on a pizza: Mac and cheese
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Japan
Favorite choreographer: Penny Saunders
By Jade Butler
The countless intricate details in The Nutcracker all come together seamlessly every December to create West Michigan’s favorite family holiday tradition seen by over 50,000 people since its premiere in 2014.
- • This season, there are 14 performances including four shows at Midland Center for the Arts in Midland, Michigan and 10 at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids.
- • In each performance, there are 68 Grand Rapids Ballet School students and approximately 40 company dancers—most of whom are doing multiple roles. In fact, any company dancer can do up to five separate roles per show!
- • There are 149 original costumes with 58 of those being tutus which require over 5,000 yards of tulle.
- • There are three Sugar Plum Fairy tutus, five Marzipan Castle scene tutus, 19 snow scene tutus, 15 Waltz of the Flower tutus, two Spanish tutus, 10 harlequin tutus, and two Dream Clara tutus.
- • It takes seven full-size semi-trucks to move the entire production to DeVos Performance Hall.
- • It takes seven days to assemble the Broadway-quality sets designed by Tony Award winner Eugene Lee based on the illustrations of The Polar Express author Chris Van Allsburg.
- • There are 15 toy soldiers and seven mice in each fight scene including one infamous Mouse King.
- • There are 12 individual snowflakes in the snow scene and 12 pink flowers twirl with one Sugar Plum Fairy in the Waltz of the Flowers.
- • In each performance, 30+ crowns and tiaras are worn: 12 snow scene crowns, 1 Dream Clara tiara, two Sugar Plum Fairy tiaras, and three Marzipan Castle crowns. Talk about glamour!
- • Clara’s Nutcracker Party is attended by 400 happy children, parents, and grandparents.
- • The company and school both spend at least two months rehearsing Val Caniparoli’s gorgeous choreography including two dress rehearsals.
All of this adds up to one spectacular show that you and your family won’t want to miss. Tickets are available at 616.454.4771 x10 or on our website.
DANCE EDUCATION
