Grand Rapids Ballet Announces Virtual Season for its 2021-22 Season Extending Access to Audiences Across Michigan

September 9, 2021 — Now offering world-class dance and artistic excellence to households across the state, Grand Rapids Ballet (GRB), Michigan’s only professional ballet company, announces a Virtual Season for audience members who live beyond the Grand Rapids area.

The Virtual Season offers an option for guests to enjoy Grand Rapids Ballet from afar for those who are unable to attend performances in person. The programs included are part of the company’s 2021-22 Moving Forward season and offer something for everyone, including classical ballet favorites and contemporary creations.

“After presenting a full season virtually during the 2020-21 season, we realized that we were able to spread the joy of dance to audiences that we don’t typically reach in-person,” said James Sofranko, artistic director at Grand Rapids Ballet. “Grand Rapids Ballet is Michigan’s only professional ballet company, and we hope that by continuing to offer virtual programming we can touch the hearts of thousands of people statewide, nationally, and even globally. These programs can serve as a worthwhile and economical introduction to the art of ballet for someone who may have never attended a performance in the past.”

The Virtual Season, in partnership with SALT Creative Production Studio, offers a unique perspective to in-person performances, streaming digitally from anywhere. Enjoy an up-close-and-personal experience, watching GRB’s 19 company dancers perform contemporary creations and timeless classics, including “Off the Canvas,” “Jumpstart 2022,” “The Nutcracker,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The virtual performances will be available to stream digitally while available.

“Off the Canvas,” explores art in motion, taking inspiration from the world of visual arts. “Jumpstart 2022,” allows GRB’s dancers to refocus their creative energies by moving into the role of choreographer, building works for other company dancers. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” shares a story of magical spells cast by Oberon and Titania, king and queen of the fairies, and the infamous mischief-making Puck.

The favorite holiday seasonal tradition, “The Nutcracker,” showcases dancers performing before beautiful sets imagined by Chris Van Allsburg, designed by Eugene Lee. Dancers will be captured adorning the stage to Val Caniparoli’s choreography for the beloved annual tradition with live accompaniment from the Grand Rapids Symphony to Tchaikovsky’s magical score.

2022 also marks an important milestone as Grand Rapids Ballet celebrates 50 years of lifting the human spirit through the art of dance. The 50th Anniversary spans two seasons, kicking off in 2022 with family-favorite “Cinderella” in February, at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids, accompanied by the Grand Rapids Symphony.

The Virtual Season Subscription is now available for $68. Each of the performances included in the subscription also will be available for individual purchase for $18. Season subscriptions, both in-person and virtual, are now available for the 2021-22 season. Additional program details and performance dates and times can be found at grballet.com/2122season.

Author: Jessica Meldrum

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