Dear Friends,
Welcome to our 2024.25 season and when WE take flight, a performance that embodies the essence of growth, exploration, and boundless creativity. Tonight’s program is a celebration of our journey as a company—one that embraces the collective spirit of transformation and renewal. I am honored to be here with you at my first triple bill of my first season as your Artistic Director.
In every movement and every story, we reflect the courage to soar, to take risks, and to push beyond the familiar. This performance is not just about flight but about the connections we forge as we rise together. Each work you'll see tonight has been carefully curated to inspire thought, evoke emotion, and challenge the conventional boundaries of ballet. It is my hope that you will find a sense of connection and wonder in the beauty, innovation, and energy that our dancers bring to the stage.
As we continue to evolve as a company, I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support, which allows us to experiment, to disrupt, and to embrace what makes us unique as DC’s ballet company. Your presence here enables us to take creative leaps and pursue our vision for the future of dance.
Please consider deepening your connection with The Washington Ballet by making a tax-deductible donation today. We are so glad you're here and this additional financial support ensures that we can continue to present bold, transformative works and be the future of ballet. Every contribution makes a difference in helping us soar to new heights. Please click the link below to give. And if you’re already a TWB donor, thank you.
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Thank you for joining us tonight. Let us take flight together.
Edwaard Liang
Artistic Director
Presents
October 24-27 | Warner Theatre
CHOREOGRAPHY
George Balanchine, Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, and Edwaard Liang
PROGRAM ORDER
Stravinsky Violin Concerto
- Intermission -
18+1
- Intermission -
Murmuration
PERFORMANCE CAST
See Tonight's Cast
CREATIVE TEAM
Andres Estevez & Tamás Krizsa, Rehearsal Directors
Elizabeth A Coco, Lighting Director
Suzi Kilbourne, Production Stage Manager
Rachel Scherer, Stage Manager
The performance of Stravinsky Violin Concerto, a Balanchine® Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style® and Balanchine Technique® Service standards established and provided by the Trust.
Nicholas Cowden as The Rat King and Rafael Bejarano as The Nutcracker.
Photo by Spencer Bentley.
Experience the magic of The Washington Ballet's charmingly-DC
THE NUTCRACKER
November 30– December 30, 2024
Warner Theatre
Choreography by Septime Webre
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Buy Your Tickets Today
SIGNATURE EVENTS
THE NUTCRACKER TEA PARTY
Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 3:00PM
The Waldorf Astoria
This year’s Nutcracker Tea Party will highlight one of the joys of Washington, DC; our beautiful cherry blossoms. Inspired by The Nutcracker’s Waltz of the Cherry Blossoms, join us for a magical event, with delicious food, family fun activities, and the chance to meet some of your favorite Nutcracker characters.
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MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT
Thursday, December 11
The Washington Ballet brings the magic of The Nutcracker to service men and women and their families for Military Appreciation Night.
97.1 WASH-FM HOLIDAY CHOIR COMPETITION
Saturday, December 9
The Washington Ballet is a proud presenting partner for iHeartMedia’s 97.1 Wash-FM’s annual Holiday Choir Competition! Every winter, the search is on for the D.C. area’s best school choirs. The winners of the contest win up to $5,000 for their school programs and the opportunity to perform live on stage at TWB’s The Nutcracker.
FAMILY DAY
Sunday, December 15
The Nutcracker Family Day is an interactive experience where children of all ages can participate in activities and festivities prior to the matinee performance. Visit stations for coloring and search-a-word, photo ops with dancers, and more. Family Day activities are included in the ticket price. Family Day events begin at 11:30 am before the 1:00 pm matinee performance.
CHILDREN’S NATIONAL HOSPITAL NIGHT
Sunday, December 15
The Washington Ballet is delighted to partner with the Children’s National Hospital to provide a night out at The Nutcracker for hospital workers and patient’s families and caregivers. A special holiday treat for our community!
COMING IN 2025
February 20-23, 2025 | The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Experience the diverse and innovative styles of The Washington Ballet's TranscenDANCE. Ulysses Dove's Vespers explores themes of loss and the power of the human spirit. Jennifer Archibald's World Premiere piece fuses house music with contemporary ballet in a fast-paced, mesmerizing whirl of motion and sound. Edwaard Liang's Seasons, set to Max Richter's recomposed Vivaldi, is a lush and visually stunning work that explores time while captivating you with its beautiful, organic shapes. Don't miss this unique and inspiring evening of dance!
Photos by Jonathan Thorpe
April 24-27, 2025 | Capital One Hall
Fall down the rabbit hole with Edwaard Liang’s ALICE (in wonderland). This fantastical adventure will come to life with familiar characters from Lewis Carroll’s stories. Journey alongside Alice as she tumbles into the whimsical wonderland, encountering curious creatures, magical transformations, and the elusive White Rabbit. With vibrant costumes, playful puppetry, and zany choreography, this production will entertain the whole family with an unforgettable escape into a world where imagination knows no bounds. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary adventure!
MEET OUR 2024.25 TRAINEE STUDENTS
The TWSB Trainee Program is designed for dancers with a demonstrated passion for ballet. This pre-professional program trains professional hopefuls in a rigorous 6-day schedule.
Did you know: TWSB has 50 enrolled trainees from 12 states and 5 countries ranging in age from 14-21. Meet our Trainee Program Dancers and follow our ongoing blog series to learn more about each student:
INSIDE NUTCRACKER REHEARSALS
The Washington Ballet's The Nutcracker is more than just a performance; it's a tradition that weaves its magic through generations of families. From young dancers gracing the stage for their first time to seasoned veterans sharing their passion with their siblings, the production is a testament to the enduring power of community and the arts. Year after year, it's a joy to watch students grow as artists, taking on increasingly challenging and important roles. Join us this year as we celebrate the love, dedication, and holiday spirit that makes The Nutcracker a truly unforgettable experience. Don't miss your chance to witness the magic
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ADULT STUDENTS AT DUPONT UNDERGROUND
TWSB Adult Students at Dupont Underground photographed by Miya Hisaka
My name is Patrick von Suskil, and I am proud to serve as president of The Washington Ballet’s Jeté Society. Nearly a decade ago, I began on my own personal ballet journey after moving to D.C., following my time living and working in Dresden, Germany. While in Germany, I had the privilege of befriending ballet dancers from the Semperoper Ballet, sparking a deep and lasting curiosity about the art of ballet. That curiosity led me to the Washington School of Ballet, where I found myself in Beginner 1 classes with my first ballet instructors, Linda Baranovics and Bahareh Sardari.
What I didn’t expect was that these classes would open the door to a vibrant community of passionate adult dancers and artists. Ballet became more than a source of personal growth, mental retreat and physical well-being – it became a “stage” for my own artistic expression, a part of me I never knew existed
Throughout these years (and many sweaty classes later), my admiration for ballet and The Washington Ballet’s remarkably talented dancers has only deepened. Under the community-centered visionary leadership of Artistic Director Edwaard Liang, adult students like myself are continuing to deepen their appreciation through opportunities to go beyond the studio. One of my most rewarding experiences was participating in Dance For All @ DuPont Underground, where I joined twenty fellow students to create an immersive environment for the audience through a choreographed “flash mob”, which opened the stage for the TWB Studio Company’s season. Additionally, the adult student showcase, now entering its third year, is another example of how I and many others have made dance a larger part of our lives – thanks to the teamwork of Miya Hisaka, Tamás Krizsa, and the Washington School of Ballet.
Looking back, it’s incredible to think that ten years ago, I never imagined myself performing ballet, let alone becoming an advocate for others to explore this art form. It’s a testament to the endless possibilities we have as a community here in D.C., supported by The Washington Ballet – our nation’s ballet.
Patrick Von Suskil, TWSB Adult Student
Dance For All @ The National Building Museum
November 9
Join The Washington Ballet at the National Building Museum for a delightful collaboration for a specially crafted Building Readers Club activity! This enchanting event combines the joy of literature with the beauty of dance, creating a memorable experience for young readers. Embark on a whimsical journey with Clara and the Nutcracker as we dive into a captivating read-aloud session. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Children will also participate in an interactive movement class, exploring dance movements that bring the story to life. Perfect for children aged 3-8 and their caregivers, this program promises an engaging and magical adventure.
DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT THE NUTCRACKER
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Each year, The Washington Ballet invites students and teachers around the DMV to a special matinee performance of The Nutcracker. A highlight of the holidays, the program is designed to provide access to world-class professional classical ballet.
We look forward to welcoming students from all across DC to The Warner Theatre this December!
"At Washington Latin, we believe access to and involvement in The Arts are both crucial pieces of every student's education. The opportunity to have the youngest members of our community experience The Nutcracker each December at TWB since we opened in 2022, has been an incredible one; broadening the horizons of many of our fifth grade scholars, and allowing them a foray into the performing arts. The ability, further, to interact with the cast after the show is priceless, as it can really give students a glimpse into the world behind the curtain --a chance they might not ever have outside of this one. We are so appreciative of the connection and relationship we've built over the years with TWB and look forward to strengthening that as the seasons go by!"
Khashiffa Roberts
Washington Latin Public Charter School, Anna Julia Cooper Campus