As the natural world comes alive with colorful hues, Boulder Ballet is set to enchant audiences with a season that blends the elegance of tradition with the excitement of innovation. Recognized for stunning choreography and fresh perspectives on classical ballet, this new season promises a captivating journey for those who appreciate the finer nuances of art and culture.
“We are now on the threshold of a whole new chapter for ballet in Boulder. We are bringing in coveted works by world-renowned choreographers, and our dancers are gaining national recognition for the power of their performances,” shares the company’s Artistic Director Ben Needham-Wood.
What’s On Deck
The March program, “REVIVED,” features three dynamic works that explore unique approaches to the revival process.
One of these is the Boulder premiere of Nicolo Fonte’s The Heart(S)pace, a celebrated work originally created for Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. During its original creation nearly a decade ago, Nicolo experienced a profound personal loss, giving the piece its vibrant emotional depth. Now, Boulder Ballet will be the first company to bring it back to life.
“One of our rehearsal directors, Sadie Brown, was an original cast member of The Heart(S)pace, and thanks to her, we have been given permission to revive this ballet,” Ben says. “It's amazing to take a work celebrated on the international stage and bring it to our local community in Boulder.”
The second work, Within Without by Andrea Schermoly, offers dancers a rare chance to revisit a piece within the same season, having performed it in the fall. Ben explains that it’s “a rare gift” for a performer to revisit something while it's still fresh in their body, allowing them to dive even deeper into the process.
“It’s amazing to return to it and reflect on how much we’ve all grown since the start of the season,” dancer Gianna Forte says.
“Returning to Within Without feels like rediscovering a conversation with a past self—each performance unlocks something new, deepening my connection to the work and my own artistry,” dancer Philip Perez adds.
Finally, Cooties, choreographed by Ben about a decade ago, rounds out the program. This whimsical piece uses music by René Aubry and explores themes of relationships and interactions.
“What I recognize is that 10 years ago, I was a very different choreographer than who I am today,” he says. “With this revival, we can actually change the choreography to better showcase our Boulder Ballet dancers. It’s going to allow the interactions between the dancers on stage to be more genuine and personalized to them.”
“REVIVED” runs March 21-23 at the Dairy Arts Center.
“I hope our ‘REVIVED’ program unlocks different layers of emotions for our audience members,” dancer Morgan Rust says. “Each piece has a unique sentiment that will personally touch each audience member.”
The season culminates with a new production, Queen of Hearts, a spinoff of Alice in Wonderland, May 16-18. This original ballet offers a fresh narrative exploring the Queen of Hearts’ backstory, featuring modern, minimalist set and costume designs and a new score developed with music director Jean Hatmaker.
A gala fundraiser on April 3rd at Corrida will aim to help bolster the company’s growth and financially fuel its ongoing success. An evening of celebration and community support will propel its mission to new heights, reaffirming its place as a cornerstone of the city’s vibrant arts scene.
Join Boulder Ballet this spring to experience the artistry, passion, and creativity that define this exceptional company. The 2025 season promises to inspire and remind us of the arts’ profound impact on our lives.
“We are a small but mighty company here in Boulder, and we've built a lot of momentum these past couple of years. I know that with additional support we're going to keep growing, and it's so exciting to imagine what more this company could become,” Ben says.
BoulderBallet.org
“We are now on the threshold of a whole new chapter for ballet in Boulder. We are bringing in coveted works by world-renowned choreographers, and our dancers are gaining national recognition for the power of their performances,” shares the company’s Artistic Director Ben Needham-Wood.
“We are a small but mighty company here in Boulder, and we've built a lot of momentum these past couple of years. I know that with additional support we're going to keep growing, and it's so exciting to imagine what more this company could become,” Ben says.