In memory and dedication of Barbara Weisberger, the company’s late founder who passed away at the end of 2020, the Pennsylvania Ballet Digital Spring Season focuses on the themes of strength, resilience, and beauty.
Weisberger was a key influence on the contemporary American ballet movement and notably brought Pennsylvania Ballet to national prominence and acclaim under her direction.
She was a protégé of choreographer and New York City ballet co-founder George Balanchine, whose work is embedded in the core identity of Pennsylvania Ballet and is thoughtfully featured throughout the digital spring season to honor the company’s Balanchine roots.
All of the classical and contemporary ballets, including three world premieres, have been newly captured for the upcoming digital programming which runs from March 25 through June 2.
Pennsylvania Ballet Digital Spring Season
Program 1: Strength (March 25 – 31, 2021)
⊙ Concerto Barocco by George Balanchine
⊙ Clear by Stanton Welch
⊙ Suspended in Time by Angel Corella, Russell Ducker and Kirill Radev
⊙ excerpt from Penumbra by Matthew Neenan
Program 2: Resilience (April 29 – May 5, 2021)
⊙ Allegro Brillante by George Balanchine
⊙ Polyphonia by Christopher Wheeldon
⊙ Raymonda Suite by Angel Corella
⊙ excerpt from And So It Is… by Dwight Rhoden’s
Program 3: Beauty (May 27 – June 2, 2021)
⊙ World Premiered by Juliano Nunes, Meredith Rainey, and Russell Ducker, all featuring music from Philadelphia-based composer, Jennifer Higdon.
Pennsylvania Ballet dancers took class, rehearsed and filmed performances for the digital spring season at the Performance Garage, a space dedicated to dance in Philadelphia’s Spring Garden neighborhood, while adhering to appropriate safety guidelines. The studios and newly renovated theater are outfitted with professionally sprung floors and a custom stage to resemble a larger proscenium theater space to better showcase ballets on film.
Featured Photo for Pennsylvania Ballet Digital Spring Season of the company in George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco © Alexander Iziliaev
