Update: We have a winner! Connemara (Rock Pool) 1999-2001 is the art object Joslyn viewers have chosen to be the basis for the new ballet. The original story follows: It sounds almost like a reality-TV concept: A professional choreographer is challenged to create and present a new ballet from scratch — after a public vote tells her what it’s going to be about. That’s what’s happening now as Ballet Nebraska and Joslyn Art Museum kick off a unique collaboration. Museum visitors are being invited to [...]

Ballet Nebraska opened its premiere season in style Saturday night with its debut performance at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater. Omaha World-Herald correspondent Kim Carpenter’s review summed it this way: “The only disappointment was that the show was just a one-night run. No matter. Ballet Nebraska’s first season is off to a swinging start.” Presented with the support of the Iowa West Foundation, the Nebraska Arts Council, and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, the opener drew an enthusiastic response from the Orpheum Theater crowd. Schoolchildren from the surrounding [...]

Ballet Nebraska and its upcoming October 2 premiere performance were featured on the September 4 edition of television station WOWT’s Heartland Focus program. Artistic director Erika Overturff discussed the company and its plans with host Tim Clark, while dancers Natasha Grimm and Sasha York talked about their dance careers and performed a short segment from the upcoming October 2 production, Harrison McEldowney’s Swing, Swing, Swing! For those who missed the broadcast, WOWT has given Ballet Nebraska permission to post the segment; click below to watch…

Coming soon to a television screen near you, Ballet Nebraska’s first on-air public service announcement (PSA) aims to intrigue viewers while highlighting ballet’s glamour and elegance. Built on a theme of “Get Ready for Ballet Nebraska,” the video uses tightly-cropped visuals of an attractive couple “getting ready,” without explaining exactly for what… then gradually reveals that they’re dancers getting ready for a Ballet Nebraska performance. Featuring dancers Natasha Grimm and Matthew Carter, the 30-second video was scripted and directed by Jim Williams, and filmed and [...]

A $10,000 grant to Ballet Nebraska from the Iowa West Foundation is helping build the momentum toward the new company’s October debut. “The grant just adds excitement at what is already an exciting time for us,” said artistic director Erika Overturff. “The Iowa West Foundation is a very respected supporter of community projects, and receiving this level of commitment from them is a real stamp of approval for us. “I think it will help people realize that this really is happening — that professional ballet is [...]