Diving Deeper with New Works: A Conversation with Resident Choreographer Jessica Lang
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s New Works Initiative has been an important part of realizing the Company’s artistic vision since 2005. It has facilitated the creation and acquisition of nearly 150 new works. Countless choreographers, including Donald Byrd, Edwaard Liang, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Robyn Mineko Williams, Justin Peck, Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, and Twyla Tharp have created new ballets […]
Announcing Jessica Lang as PNB’s Next Resident Choreographer
PNB is excited to announce Jessica Lang will be PNB’s next Resident Choreographer. Lang’s journey with PNB began in 2015 with The Calling, and a prolific partnership quickly formed. In 2016, Lang partnered with PNB to create Her Door to the Sky, which was commissioned in part by Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and performed by the company internationally. Lang returned […]
5 Reasons Why Swan Lake is a Ballet Classic
Swan Lake is one of the most popular ballets of all time. It premiered in Moscow in 1877 and was met with a lukewarm reception. Despite its humble beginnings, this ballet continued to be performed, and in the 21st century, it’s frankly iconic! Read on to learn five reasons why this ballet is a must-see. Composer Pyotr […]
Q&A with Corps Member Ashton Edwards
My most recent easy go-to has been this simple yet beautifully delicious honey glazed salmon. I like to play with a recipe I found online by adding some of the seasonings and spices that my mother would use growing up. I toss it in the oven with whatever vegetable is in the fridge, add rice, […]
Ezra Thomson on Why New Works Matter
PNB soloist Ezra Thomson is no stranger to New Works. His resume includes originating roles in works by Alejandro Cerrudo, Edwaard Liang, Robin Mineko Williams, Donald Byrd, several current PNB dancers and more. More recently, Ezra took on the role of stager for Jessica Lang’s Let Me Mingle Tears With Thee. Keep scrolling to read more […]
10 Fast Facts About Giselle’s Costumes
Pacific Northwest Ballet is bustling with activity as our costume shop, dancers, administrative staff, and more rush to perfect every element of Giselle, our next repertoire. For the third time ever, Giselle will be performed as part of PNB’s 50th anniversary season. Peter Boal first staged Giselle for PNB in 2011. In 2014, Jérôme Kaplan (who PNB fans will recognize […]
The Story of Giselle
As the curtain rises on a picturesque scene in a small German village, vine gatherers depart for the harvest. Hilarion the gamekeeper arrives, hoping to see the lovely Giselle. He hides when his rival Albert-really a Duke disguised as a peasant named Lays-emerges from his cottage, with his squire Wilfride. Wilfride begs Albert not to […]
The Nutcracker’s Stunning Winter Star
The prominent Christmas star that appears at the end of Act I of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® is presented by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. Winter Star, a spectacular work of art from Chihuly’s popular Chandelier series, makes a stunning addition to the famed snow scene. Chihuly first showed a Chandelier […]
A Historical Look at George Balanchine’s Jewels
By Doug Fullington Jewels. The name sounds expensive and perfect for a box-office hit. But when Balanchine’s “plotless full-length ballet,” as it was touted, premiered at New York City Ballet on April 13, 1967, it had no title, only three sections called Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds. (Balanchine explained, “I thought of doing sapphire, too—I had Schoenberg in mind, […]
Answering Nutcracker FAQs
We’re glad you asked! A random sampling of ballet FAQs. Not at all! There is probably no another ballet that has been performed so many times, in so many different ways. From your neighborhood dance studio to a professional company, the skill of the dancers and scale of the production varies as much as interpretations […]