Full Season Packages Now Available
January 31, 2025
While traditional ballets such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker typically follow a single narrative arc, mixed repertoire productions offer audiences something different with a carefully curated collection of shorter ballets, each with its own unique theme, imagery, and sentiment.
This season’s mixed repertoire production, International Woman, is a first for Texas Ballet Theater, with a line-up that exclusively features female choreographers. International Woman celebrates the legacy of Martha Graham and the women she continues to inspire.
“It’s important to show support for female choreographers in a comprehensive way, and featuring their work allows TBT to highlight what is happening around the world choreographically,” said Tim O’Keefe, TBT’s Artistic Director. “Martha Graham was the first person I thought of when planning an evening to spotlight the work of female choreographers. Why not go with one of the first female choreographers? And this will be the first time that TBT dancers perform one of her brilliant works.”
With choreographers drawing inspiration from international travels, historical events, and personal experiences in the dance industry, International Woman will take audiences on a journey through four distinct works:
Colombian-Belgian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa has been recognized by Pointe Magazine as “the most in-demand female choreographer of our times.” First performed in 2017 at Tulsa Ballet’s Studio K, her abstract ballet Shibuya Blues portrays one of the busiest districts in Tokyo and explores the human desire for connection in a fast-paced world. Ranging in mood from exhilarating to pensive, Shibuya Blues powerfully examines both modern life and modern dance.
Choreographed and performed by the legendary Martha Graham, Lamentation is an iconic, solo ballet that premiered in January 1930 at Maxine Elliott’s Theater in New York City. In the original program notes, it was subtitled the “Dance of Sorrow.”
Lamentation Variations commemorates the tragedy of 9/11 and challenges choreographers to create their own interpretations of Graham’s original four-minute production. TBT is participating in the Lamentation Variations Project as part of GRAHAM100, the 100th anniversary of the Martha Graham Dance Company.
Maple Leaf Rag, the last complete ballet to be choreographed by Graham, premiered in 1990 at the City Center Theater in New York City. Set to the music of Scott Joplin with an exuberance and whimsy that will thrill audiences of all ages, Maple Leaf Rag is a satirical self-reflection that pays tribute to the choreographic muse and gently mocks the plight of the artist in the throes of creation.
Internationally recognized for her highly physical partner work, organic movement style, and touching insight into humanity, Australian choreographer Natalie Weir celebrates motion and dance in her work Jabula. The ballet is set to music by Hans Zimmer, from his original score Power of One. With a vibrant combination of choral, percussion and traditional African music, Jabula communicates strength, drama, and joy.
“With International Woman, audiences will have an opportunity to experience a wide range of choreographic styles and interpretations,” O’Keefe said. “There are pieces en pointe, pieces where the dancers are barefoot, and the scope and range of the choreographic movement will make for a very exciting evening.
“As we look ahead to future seasons, what’s wonderful about bringing in new choreographers is that they have the opportunity to work with our dancers, build relationships, and hopefully create new works for our company in the future.”
International Woman will run Feb. 21-23 at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth and Feb. 28 – March 1 at Wylie Theater in Dallas. Tickets may be purchased online at https://texasballettheater.org/performance/international-woman/#buytickets or by calling the box office at 877.828.9200 Option 1.
