Smuin Ballet

Smuin Ballet is a renowned ballet company based in San Francisco, California, founded by Michael Smuin in 1994. The company is known for its eclectic and innovative productions, which often blend classical ballet with modern dance and contemporary ballet techniques, inspired by choreographers such as George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. Smuin Ballet has performed at various venues, including the War Memorial Opera House and the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, and has collaborated with artists from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and American Ballet Theatre. The company's productions often feature music by Leonard Bernstein, Duke Ellington, and George Gershwin.

History

The company was founded by Michael Smuin, a former dancer with American Ballet Theatre and San Francisco Ballet, who sought to create a ballet company that would showcase his unique choreographic style, which was influenced by Bob Fosse and Twyla Tharp. Smuin Ballet's early productions included Michael Smuin's own choreography, as well as works by Lar Lubovitch and Tudor Davies. The company quickly gained recognition for its innovative and entertaining productions, which often featured jazz music and pop music by artists such as Frank Sinatra and The Beatles. Smuin Ballet has also performed at festivals such as the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and the Vail International Dance Festival, and has toured to cities such as New York City and Los Angeles.

Artistic Directors

After Michael Smuin's death in 2007, the company was led by Celia Fushille, who had been a dancer with the company and had worked closely with Michael Smuin. Under Celia Fushille's direction, the company continued to produce innovative and eclectic productions, including works by Amy Seiwert and Val Caniparoli. The company has also collaborated with artists from The Joffrey Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet, and has performed at venues such as the Kennedy Center and the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to Celia Fushille, the company has also been influenced by other artistic directors, including Helgi Tomasson of San Francisco Ballet and Kevin McKenzie of American Ballet Theatre.

Repertoire

Smuin Ballet's repertoire includes a wide range of productions, from classical ballets such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake to more contemporary works such as Michael Smuin's Dances with Songs and Bluegrass/Slyde. The company has also performed works by other choreographers, including Jiri Kylian and Ohad Naharin, and has collaborated with artists from Nederlands Dans Theater and Batsheva Dance Company. Smuin Ballet's productions often feature music by Igor Stravinsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and have been praised by critics from The New York Times and The San Francisco Chronicle.

Company

Smuin Ballet is a non-profit organization that is supported by donations from individuals and organizations, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council. The company has a diverse group of dancers, who come from a variety of backgrounds and have trained at schools such as the School of American Ballet and the San Francisco Ballet School. Smuin Ballet has also been recognized for its outreach and education programs, which include classes and workshops for students from San Francisco State University and University of California, Berkeley. The company has performed at venues such as the Zellerbach Hall and the Davies Symphony Hall, and has collaborated with artists from Alonzo King LINES Ballet and ODC/Dance.

Education and Community

Smuin Ballet offers a range of education and community programs, including classes and workshops for students of all ages and skill levels, taught by instructors from Stanford University and University of California, Los Angeles. The company also offers outreach programs for underserved communities, including partnerships with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the YMCA. Smuin Ballet has also collaborated with other arts organizations, including the San Francisco Symphony and the California Shakespeare Theater, to provide arts education and outreach programs to the community. The company's education and community programs have been recognized by organizations such as the National Dance Education Organization and the California Department of Education. Category:Ballet companies in the United States