ORLANDO BALLET Announces 20/21 Season
Orlando Ballet recently announced its 2020-21 season that includes an exciting lineup and new performance venues including Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and its new $12.5 million facility, Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre. The repertoire features a world premiere by Orlando Ballet’s artistic director Robert Hill and two full-length productions by Orlando Ballet’s newest artist in residence Jorden Morris.
2020 will be a transformative year for the performing arts in Orlando. Steinmetz Hall—one of the world’s most acoustically perfect concert venues—will debut this fall at Dr. Phillips Center, and the Green Room will open soon thereafter, joining Walt Disney Theater and Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, and completing the art center’s original vision. In the 2020-21 season, Orlando Ballet will host a mainstage production for the first time at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, making use of the state-of-the-art theatrical and lighting equipment generously provided through grants from Dr. Phillips Charities and Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs.
“Orlando Ballet has curated another exciting season and we look forward to showcasing their performances at the Dr. Phillips Center,” said Dr. Phillips Center CEO Kathy Ramsberger.
“Moving into Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre was a major highpoint of the 2019-20 season and one of the brightest moments in the history of Orlando Ballet,” said Orlando Ballet executive director Shane Jewell.“ Our upcoming season brings more milestones as we present our mainstage productions in two new performance venues, each well suited to our needs as a ballet company.”
Orlando Ballet’s diverse repertoire includes a world premiere of “The Sleeping Beauty,” choreographed by Robert Hill, the adored holiday tradition, “The Nutcracker,” two full-length ballets by celebrated choreographer and director, Jorden Morris—“Moulin Rouge® The Ballet” and “Peter Pan,”—and a mixed-rep production filled with ballet classics titled “Icons & Idols.”
Orlando Ballet’s new artist in residence, Jorden Morris, is a former principal dancer with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and choreographs, teaches, and directs for prestigious dance companies across the country. In addition to premiering two full-length productions with Orlando Ballet this season, Morris will be a guest teacher at Orlando Ballet School’s summer intensives for the next two years and continue working with the company through the 2021-22 season.
“I am so thrilled to be working with Orlando Ballet over the next two seasons,” said Jorden Morris. ”There is a unique energy and passion that emanates from this company of talented dancers and leadership. I look forward to the creative process and bringing these works to the Orlando stage.”
“Orlando Ballet continues to bring large-scale productions to Central Florida, but next season also brings new venues to see our talented dancers perform and works by our extraordinary new artist in residence Jorden Morris,” said Orlando Ballet artistic director Robert Hill. “We recently began rehearsing in an amazing facility that’s setting up our dancers for success and now we’re getting ready to perform in two brand new, state-of-the-art venues. These new resources have made an impact on us all, and the energy from the entire artistic team is absolutely electric.”
Orlando Ballet’s Upcoming 2020-21 Season
“The Sleeping Beauty”
October 23-25, 2020
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Kicking off the 2020-21 season is the world premiere of artistic director Robert Hill’s “The Sleeping Beauty” at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The charming fairytale will feature some of classical ballet’s most challenging yet enchanting choreography. Follow the story of Princess Aurora, the evil Carabosse, and charming Prince Désiré, who awakens Sleeping Beauty from her 100-year slumber. Featuring luxurious sets and costumes, Tchaikovsky’s glorious score and a cast of fanciful characters, “The Sleeping Beauty” will awaken the senses.
“The Nutcracker”
December 4-13, 2020
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Orlando Ballet presents the beloved holiday tradition, “The Nutcracker” over two weekends December 4 through 13, 2020. Join Clara as she’s taken on a magical journey through the Land of Sweets, complete with the Mouse King, Sugar Plum Fairy, dancing snowflakes, Mother Ginger and more. From the moment the curtain goes up, to the final bow, a trip to Orlando Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” is an unforgettable holiday treat. Join the thousands of Central Floridians who make this production their holiday tradition; early booking is recommended.
“Moulin Rouge® The Ballet”
February 12-14, 2021
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Get up close and personal with the bohemian world of Paris in its heyday and the spiritual birthplace of the Cancan as “Moulin Rouge® The Ballet” transports audiences to the most famous cabaret in history. Choreographed by acclaimed director and choreographer, Jorden Morris, experience the explosive story of young love and rising stardom set against a sizzling Parisian backdrop. “Moulin Rouge® The Ballet” will be performed at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts February 12 through 14, 2021.
“Icons & Idols A Mixed Rep”
March 26-28, 2021
Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre
Celebrate the most iconic ballet pieces of all time in one beautiful production. “Icons & Idols A Mixed Rep” features excerpts of famous ballets including “Swan Lake,” “Don Quixote,” “Carmen Suite,” “Firebird” and more. From classical to contemporary, there will be something for audiences of all ages. “Icons & Idols A Mixed Rep” marks the very first mainstage production in Orlando Ballet’s new home, Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, March 26 through 28, 2021.
“Peter Pan”
April 30-May 2, 2021
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Fly through a starlit London night and dive headfirst into a magical adventure in Neverland in Jorden Morris’ “Peter Pan.” First the movie, then the musical and now the ballet, this full-length production choreographed by Jorden Morris will be filled with pixie dust and all your favorite characters, from Tinkerbell to the Lost Boys, to Captain Hook and his swashbuckling pirates. With all of its energy, humor and poignant movement, “Peter Pan” will delight the child in us all.
Subscriptions for the 2020-21 season will be available for purchase beginning February 7, 2020.