Tag Archives: Cincinnati Ballet

CINCINNATI, OH. (JANUARY 27, 2025) –The Wizard of Oz makes its way back to Cincinnati Ballet for the second time ever! Broadway meets ballet in this visually stunning production with new, out of this world projections that will transport audiences deeper into the heart of Oz. Join us for 10 performances February 21 through March 2 at Music Hall.

Septime Webre’s reimagining of the beloved story of a young girl swept to the magical land of Oz, where she teams up with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion to find the Wizard and return home is one you won’t want to miss. This production has everything you’d expect from Dorothy’s iconic adventure—plus adorable puppets, flying monkeys and of course, incredible dancing!

Cincinnati Ballet first performed The Wizard of Oz in 2019, only a year after Webre’s revolutionary vision came to life at the Kansas City Ballet. The show includes puppetry by Nicholas Mahon, who worked on the 2018 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, and costumes by designer Liz Vandal, best known for her whimsical work for Cirque du Soleil, and an original score by Matthew Pierce that will be performed live by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $29 at cballet.org.

PERFORMANCE DATES AND INFORMATION

WHO: Cincinnati Ballet
Choreography: Septime Webre
Music: Matthew Pierce, performed with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

WHAT: The Wizard of Oz

WHEN:

• Friday, February 21 – 7:30 pm
• Saturday, February 22 – 2:00 pm
• Saturday, February 22 – 7:30 pm
• Sunday, February 23 – 1:00 pm
• Wednesday, February 26 – 7:30 pm
• Thursday, February 27 – 7:30 pm
• Friday, February 28 – 7:30 pm
• Saturday, March 1 – 1:00 pm
• Saturday, March 1 – 7:30 pm
• Sunday, March 2 – 1:00 pm

WHERE: Music Hall – 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Cincinnati Ballet 2024-2025 Season Sponsors:
Margaret and Michael Valentine, Julie and John Richardson | SugarCreek, ArtsWave, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Ohio Arts Council, The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation

About Cincinnati Ballet
Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Cincinnati Ballet is a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world-premiere works and exploring unique collaborations. With a mission to enrich, expand, and excel in the art of dance through performance, a high-caliber academy, and impactful education and community engagement in local to global communities, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance. To that end, Cincinnati Ballet presents exhilarating performances, provides extensive education and community engagement programs, and offers top-level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy.

Cervilio Miguel Amador. Photo by Hiromi Platt Photography.

Amador, former principal dancer, served as Interim Artistic Director since Sept. 2023

Cincinnati, OH (December 16, 2024) – Cincinnati Ballet’s Board of Trustees announced today that Cervilio Miguel Amador has been named permanent Artistic Director of Cincinnati Ballet. “The Board of Trustees is thrilled to announce Cervilio Miguel Amador will assume the permanent role of Artistic Director, effective immediately,” said Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees Chair Emerson Moser. In September 2023, the Board appointed Mr. Amador Interim Artistic Director. “After a robust and thorough external search process, it became clear that Cervi has a unique passion for and understanding of Cincinnati Ballet that combine to make him well positioned to lead the artistic future of the Company. The Board has been impressed with his performance and stable presence as Interim Artistic Director over the last year, and today’s announcement is affirmation of his leadership capability.” Since his arrival from Cuba 20 years ago, Mr. Amador has been a beloved member of Cincinnati Ballet and the Queen City. While he began as a soloist, he quickly rose through the ranks to principal dancer and established himself as a creative leader in the Company. He retired from the stage following the 2019-2020 Season, after 16 years as a dancer, and made a successful transition to Company rehearsal director before assuming the Interim Artistic Director position. (See above link for extended BIO)

“Cervi immediately took on complex leadership responsibilities as he transitioned from rehearsal director to Interim Artistic Director. He brings to this critical leadership role a deep understanding of Cincinnati Ballet and the community,” said Deborah S. Brant, Cincinnati Ballet President and CEO. “I have enjoyed working with Cervi and look forward to future opportunities for this incredible Company.” “It is an honor to serve as Artistic Director of this Company that I cherish with all my heart. I am passionate about creating new opportunities for our dancers, deepening the Company’s relationship with the community, and elevating Cincinnati Ballet and art form through challenging classical and innovative contemporary repertoire,” Mr. Amador said. “Cincinnati is truly my home. I am proud to have moved my extended family here from Cuba and am raising my three children with my wife, Jackie Damico Amador, in our beautiful Queen City. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have been given and am energized to take the Company to the next level.”

About Cincinnati Ballet Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Cincinnati Ballet is a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world-premiere works and exploring unique collaborations. With a mission to enrich, expand, and excel in the art of dance through performance, a high-caliber academy, and impactful education and community engagement in local to global communities, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance. To that end, Cincinnati Ballet presents exhilarating performances, provides extensive education and community engagement programs, and offers top-level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy. Cincinnati Ballet is housed at the world-class Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in Cincinnati’s thriving Walnut Hills arts community.

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Audiences will experience new costumes and choreography that celebrate diversity,
Dec. 19-29 at Music Hall

CINCINNATI, OH (November 20, 2024) – Cincinnati Ballet’s The Nutcracker presented by Sheakley Family returns to Music Hall. The Company is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of The Nutcracker in Cincinnati. The Company first performed the holiday classic in 1974 under Artistic Director David McLain and for the first time in many years, will feature shows after Christmas. The production remains in high demand, with few seats remaining for several shows. This grand production features elaborate sets and costumes and live musical accompaniment of Tchaikovsky’s beloved score by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, with choreography from Victoria Morgan.

This year’s production also features changes to reflect the diversity of our community thanks to a gift from Bank of America. Cincinnati Ballet created new heads for the Nutcracker character that represent diverse skin tones. Victoria Morgan has also reimagined choreography for the divertissement Coffee (the dance traditionally known as Arabian) to be more mindful of cultural sensitivities. In addition, the wigs worn by dancers now will include wigs that represent different hair types. This project was also funded in part by Cincinnati Parks Foundation, which also partnered by the Ballet on a special Nutcracker-themed nature hike in Smale Riverfront Park, November 30 through December 31.

This year’s production also features changes to reflect the diversity of our community thanks to a gift from Bank of America. Cincinnati Ballet created new heads for the Nutcracker character that represent diverse skin tones. Victoria Morgan has also reimagined choreography for the divertissement Coffee (the dance traditionally known as Arabian) to be more mindful of cultural sensitivities. In addition, the wigs worn by dancers now will include wigs that represent different hair types. This project was also funded in part by Cincinnati Parks Foundation, which also partnered by the Ballet on a special Nutcracker-themed nature hike in Smale Riverfront Park, November 30 through December 31.

This holiday season Cincinnati Ballet is also thrilled to be collaborating with Washington Park, the City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), DANCEFIX and the Art Academy of Cincinnati to bring a Nutcracker-inspired Winter Wonderland installation to Washington Park this December. The installation presented by Cincinnati Ballet will be a story walk with six scenes created by students from the Art Academy of Cincinnati, in addition to dazzling holiday lights on park trees, along paths, and surrounding the bandstand. The story walk will be viewable from December 1-31, with a special event at the opening of the story walk on December 1 with ballet dancers, Santa Claus, a performance by DANCEFIX, family-friendly activities and more.  

Victoria Morgan’s The Nutcracker premiered in 2011 with new sets by scenic designer John Ezell, bright and beautiful costumes by Carrie Robbins, lighting by Trad A Burns and athletic, engaging choreography by Victoria Morgan. Morgan’s rendition of the classical ballet is filled with unique, contemporary twists on longstanding traditions: from the bright, whimsical sets, stage effects and acrobatics to the appearance of new, playful characters such as Clara’s companion, a pet poodle named Minnie, dancing Cupcakes, tumbling Snowballs, an ensemble of poodles performing the Dance of the Mirlitons (or “Lollipups”). Morgan’s whimsical choreographic take on the classic story is like nothing you have ever seen before.

PERFORMANCE DATES AND INFORMATION    

WHO: Cincinnati Ballet Choreography: Victoria Morgan Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

WHAT: The Nutcracker

WHEN:

• Thursday, December 19 – 7:30 pm
• Friday, December 20 – 7:30 pm
• Saturday, December 21 – 2:00 pm
• Saturday, December 21 – 7:30 pm
• Sunday, December 22 – 1:00 pm
• Sunday, December 22 – 6:30 pm
• Monday, December 23 – 2:00 pm
• Monday, December 23 – 7:30 pm
• Tuesday, December 24 – 1:00 pm
• Thursday, December 26 – 2:00 pm
• Thursday, December 26– 7:30 pm
• Friday, December 27 – 2:00 pm
• Friday, December 27 – 7:30 pm
• Saturday, December 28 –2:00 pm
• Saturday, December 28 –7:30 pm
• Sunday, December 29 –1:00 pm

WHERE: Music Hall 1241 Elm St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Cincinnati Ballet 2024-2025 Season Sponsors: Margaret and Michael Valentine, Julie and John Richardson | SugarCreek, ArtsWave, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Ohio  Arts Council, The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation

About Cincinnati Ballet

Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Cincinnati Ballet is a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world-premiere works and exploring unique collaborations. With a mission to enrich, expand, and excel in the art of dance through performance, a high-caliber academy, and impactful education and community engagement in local to global communities, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance. To that end, Cincinnati Ballet presents exhilarating performances, provides extensive education and community engagement programs, and offers top-level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy.