Houston Ballet Updates Fans On Changes To Its 2020 – 2021 Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jacalyn Lawton
Public Relations Manager
HOUSTON BALLET UPDATES FANS ON CHANGES TO ITS 2020-2021 SEASON
HOUSTON, TEXAS [Nov. 18, 2020] — Audiences will still enjoy Houston Ballet’s world-class talent, but it will remain virtual through the end the reimagined 2020-2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization cancels the rest of its intended in-person performances at the Wortham Theater Center through June 2021 and prepares for an array of digital experiences.
“Safety remains our top priority during this unprecedented time,” says Jim Nelson, Houston Ballet Executive Director. “We continue to work closely with infectious disease experts at Houston Methodist Hospital to ensure the safety of our dancers, students, staff and audience.”
With the cancellation of the season as planned, 2020-2021 full season subscribers’ subscriptions will automatically move to the 2021-2022 season. Houston Ballet will continue creating new digital works during this time away from the theater. Current subscribers will receive complimentary access to these programs with sincere thanks for their ongoing support.
“Art is like the flower that grows through the cracks of the concrete – it blooms through its surroundings,” says Stanton Welch, Houston Ballet Artistic Director. “We continue to create and reflect this time frame. You’ll continue to see that in both what we deliver and how we deliver it to the audience.”
Houston Ballet moves forward with its paid digital offerings, kicking off the virtual ticket sales of Nutcracker Sweets presented by Houston Methodist Hospital. Referenced as “the holiday show” until its recent name unveiling, Nutcracker Sweets is a digital holiday spectacular that includes new works to beloved holiday songs and an abbreviated version of Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker. The program is on-demand December 15 – January 8. Tickets can be purchased for $35 through the last performance date at houstonballet.org.
Houston Ballet’s special events will also continue virtually during the 2020-2021 season. After a successful Raising the Barre in September, the annual Onstage Dinner plans to deliver an evening of dining and digital dance. Honoring Gary and Marian Beauchamp, the Onstage Dinner will take place an hour prior to the streaming of the Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance on December 4. Guests will enjoy exclusive pre-performance programming and a three-course dinner from Jackson and Company, all from the comfort of their homes. In the new year, Houston Ballet continues to celebrate remotely with the Houston Ballet Ball Home Edition: Having a Ball on February 20. Keep up to date with Houston Ballet’s latest programming at houstonballet.org.
Houston Ballet remains grateful for its community’s support. The revenue losses attributed to the impact of the pandemic present the greatest financial challenge Houston Ballet has ever faced. Its current campaign to keep the company dancing has raised more than $4.5 million toward the $5 million goal, which partially offsets these challenges. Supporters can contribute to the nonprofit reaching its goal by donating to the campaign at give.houstonballet.org/donate.
ABOUT HOUSTON BALLET
With more than 50 years of rich history, Houston Ballet has evolved into a 61-dancer Company with a budget of $33.9 million and an endowment of $79.2 million (as of June 2019), making it the country’s fifth largest ballet company. Its Center for Dance is a $46.6 million state-of-the-art performance space that opened in April 2011 and remains the largest professional dance facility in America. Houston Ballet’s reach is global, touring in renowned theaters in Dubai, London, Paris, Moscow, Spain, Montréal, Ottawa, Melbourne, New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and more.
Houston Ballet attracts prestigious leaders in dance. Australian choreographer Stanton Welch AM has served as Artistic Director of Houston Ballet since 2003, raising the level of the Company’s classical technique and commissioning works from dance legends such as Julia Adam, George Balanchine, Aszure Barton, Christopher Bruce, Alexander Ekman, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Edwaard Liang, Trey McIntyre and Justin Peck. Executive Director James Nelson serves as the administrative leader of the organization, a position he assumed in February 2012 after serving as the Company’s General Manager for more than a decade.
Beyond its stage presence, Houston Ballet maintains a strong foothold in continuing to foster a love for dance in future generations. Its Education and Community Engagement program reaches more than 70,000 individuals in the Houston area annually. Houston Ballet Academy trains more than 1,000 students every year, producing more than 50 percent of the elite athletes that comprise Houston Ballet’s current Company.
For more information on Houston Ballet, visit houstonballet.org.
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