Gambit
Choreography: Christopher Ruud
Music: Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005
IV. Allegro assai. J.S. Bach
This ballet is to mirror in an abstract way how life seems to be a bit of a chess game. As if on the game board of life, the dancers move from one “square” to another, while they switch between challenging each other, and working together.
Cast
Malerie Moore, Trinity Santoro
Hannah Arnold, Grant Gonzalez
Maya Canestaro, Keira Holland
Natalie Boese, Troy Monger-Levin
Charlotte Kelsey, Ian Anderson-Conlon
Flames of Paris
Choreography: Devon Carney and Christopher Ruud
after Vasily Vainonen
Music: Excerpt from the ballet “Flames of Paris” by B. Asafyev
The Flames of Paris is a so-called “revolutionary” ballet which takes as its subject the French Revolution, including in its scenario the storming of the Tuileries Palace by the revolutionary soldiers and their victorious march on Paris. The plot is taken from the Felix Gras’s Provençal language 1896 novel Li Rouge dou Miejour, which is translated into French as Les Rouges du Midi (Reds of the South). The main virtuoso Pas de Deux from Act 4 is a highlight of the ballet and is performed worldwide in Galas and competitions.
Cast
Gillian Yoder & Ben Zusi
too much talking
Choreography: Malerie Moore
Music: “Life in Pieces” by Howard Harper-Barnes and “Re: Better Now” by Philip Daniel & Shawn Williams
broken crayons can still color something beautiful. there can be so many negative words coming from the outside or from within, and you can feel like you’re drowning in all the noise. sometimes all you need is to find your shoreline, to pick yourself back up again. the only voice that truly matters is your own, so listen closely. sometimes it’s the quietest sound that can make the biggest noise.
Cast
Malerie Moore & Ian Anderson-Conlon
Aysia Bates, Maya Canestaro, Grant Gonzalez,
Alena Harrison, Olivia Newell
Odalisque Trio from Le Corsaire
Choreography: Devon Carney after Joseph Mazlier and Marius Petipa
Music: Le Corsaire: Act I - “8. Pas de trois des odalisques: 3 Odalisques” by C. Pugni
Le Corsaire is a 3 act ballet, with a libretto originally created by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges, loosely based on the poem “The Corsair” by Lord Byron. Originally choreographed by Joseph Mazilier to the music of Adolphe Adam and other composers, it was first presented by the ballet of the Théâtre Impérial de l’Opéra in Paris on the 23rd of January, 1856. All modern productions of Le Corsaire are derived from the revivals staged by the Ballet Master Marius Petipa for the Imperial Ballet of St. Petersburg throughout the mid to late 19th century. The Odalisque Trio appears in Act 2 in the Harem at the Palace of Seyd Pasha. The keeper of the Harem attempts to distract and placate the Sultan with dancing by the Odalisques.
Cast
Hannah Arnold, Keira Holland, Charlotte Kelsey
Checkmate
Choreography: Christopher Ruud
Music: Track: Star Field Tripping. Artist: Star Silk. Album: Orbital Beats Vol. I Composer: Ryan Edwards Carney
Set to the sonorous electronic backdrop of Ryan Carney’s “Star Silk”, This duet aims to investigate the relationship between human individuals that is, at the same time, both supportive and adversarial.
Cast
Lauryn Brown & Troy Monger-Levin
Peasant Pas de Deux from Devon Carney's Giselle
Choreography: Devon Carney after Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot
Music: Excerpt from Act 1 of “Giselle” composed by F. Burgmüller: “Peasant Pas de Deux”
This stalwart classic, performed by Kansas City Ballet just this last fall, tells the tragic, romantic story of a beautiful young peasant girl named Giselle and a disguised nobleman named Albrecht, who fall in love. When his true identity is revealed by his rival, Giselle goes mad and dies of heartbreak to end Act 1. Before her tragic demise, Giselle invites 2 friends to dance for Royalty who have visited the village. This “Peasant Pas de Deux” has delighted audiences for centuries and is a measuring stick for technical prowess in ballet.
Cast
Trinity Santoro & Ian Anderson-Conlon
Splug
Choreography: Cameron Thomas
Music: Slugbug Album: Truck Month Track: “Macintosh Tapes”
℗ Plastic Waffle Records & Tapes Released on: 2013-07-23
Hurry, before ChatGPT does it better!
Cast
Kansas City Ballet Second Company
All costuming provided by Kansas City Ballet Costume Shop:
Jennifer Carroll and Betti Jo Diem.
Lighting for all works by Amy Taylor.
Stage Manager: Laura Krus.
(L-R) Alena Harrison, Hannah Arnold, Keira Holland, Charlotte Kelsey, Grant Gonzalez, Aysia Bates, Natalie Boese, Maya Canestaro, Troy Monger-Levin, Katie Shipp, Olivia Newell
Photography: Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios.
KCB’s Second Company includes KCB II and the Trainee Program, both products of KCB School. These programs are for emerging professionals to give extraordinarily talented young dancers a professional company experience as a prelude to their joining a professional company. The Second Company performs throughout the region at public performances, lecture demonstrations, residencies, and workshops, enabling the community to experience live dance in a public setting. Those interested in learning more and/or booking them for a performance should email KCBII@kcballet.org.