Vitacca Ballet Ranked Amongst The Most Prestigious Companies In The Country

Vitacca Ballet’s Hypnotic Forces by Resident Choreographer Garrett Smith is one of Pointe Magazine’s “12 standout performances of 2023”

Over 4,000 arts patrons so far this season with sell out performances of season opener, SOWN, and The Nutcracker Gala

Company roster growing as international artists bring approachable contemporary ballet to the stage

HOUSTON, TEXAS [February 6, 2024]: Vitacca Ballet is ranked amongst the most prestigious companies in the country. Pointe Magazine’s Nancy Wozny called out Vitacca Ballet and in specific company artists, Jordan Hooks and Joshua Ponton’s performance in Hypnotic Forces from brilliant Resident Choreographer Garrett Smith as one of the “12 Standout Performances of 2023.” Wozny states,

“Jordan Hooks and Joshua Ponton delivered a powerful concluding duet that oscillated between tenderness and anxious watchfulness, with a tension that never let up even during its most intimate moments.”

Artistic Director and Founder Kelly Ann Vitacca comments, “We are thrilled to Vitacca Ballet and our Resident Choreographer Garrett Smith featured in Pointe Magazine’s “12 Standout Performances of 2023.” This contemporary ballet by Smith incapsulates the type of fresh and quality artistry Vitacca Ballet brings to the greater Houston area and beyond.”

Vitacca Ballet’s performances so far, this 2023/24 have entertained over 4,000 arts patrons in Houston and The Woodlands, Texas. The season opener titled SOWN had two sell out performances. The holiday favorite, The Nutcracker Gala, which features gala-style seating at The Woodlands Resort had five sell out performances.

Artists work with internationally renowned choreographers each season. This seasons choreographers include Tina Kay Bohnstedt, Sean Aaron Carmon, Ethan Colangelo, Alana Jones, Hélène Simoneau, Garrett Smith, and Robyn Mineko Williams. Previous season choreographers include Autumn Eckman, Madison Hicks, Shizu Yasuda, Robbie Moore, Roderick George, and Andrea Dawn Shelley. “The choreographic talent Vitacca Ballet brings to Houston is unique and exploratory,” comments Ms. Vitacca. “From returning audience favorites to new choreographers bringing their distinctive perspective to the stage, each season is transformational for the contemporary ballet scene in Houston. We pride ourselves on offering a space of incubation for choreographers to collaborate with our dancers as the creation takes form. This allows for an enriching process and unencumbered dance on stage.”

Vitacca Ballet’s company roster grows steadily each season and currently has 14 company members and 35 artistic and administrative staff members. The company offers a 34-week contract on par with the nation’s largest dance organizations. Vitacca Ballet prides itself on supporting the development of the Texas arts scene by offering a home and supporting income to artists from across the globe. Founded in 2020 Vitacca Ballet is a creation-based repertoire company in the Houston area. As the pandemic brought artists home to Houston, Ms.Vitacca strived to keep artists employed, and the Houston arts scene alive with project-based work. This experience laid the framework for the launch of Vitacca Ballet in 2021.

“I am motivated by the support Vitacca Ballet has received in the three seasons since its inception. Houston’s passionate arts community has allowed for Vitacca Ballet to grow as a leading organization adding the new rank of Apprentice to its company roster ensuring the future of professional contemporary ballet with seasoned dancers in the greater Houston area,” comments Ms. Vitacca. “We have also broadened our reach to different cities in Texas and the United States.”

This season Vitacca Ballet will be presented again in Humble at The Charles Bender Performing Arts Center in February and continues its up/CLOSE Series which invites patrons into the studio space to encounter rehearsals and artist Q&A’s. Vitacca Ballet has been selected for tours to RAD Fest in Kalamazoo, MI this March, a return to connec(tx)ions with Ventana Ballet in Austin, TX in April and San Antonio Dance Festival in San Antonio, TX in April, plus the Austin Dance Festival. Past tours included Contemporary Dance Choreography Festival in Florida, Versatility Dance Festival in Utah, Bailindo Dance Festival, and Red Rock Dance Festival in Utah. In addition to touring Vitacca Ballet supports philanthropic organizations through dance such as Trees of Hope Gala 2022 Entertainment Sponsor, which raises awareness and funding for Houston’s homeless women and children.

Vitacca Ballet brings five world premieres, plus two unique Houston premieres and a film for dance to stage throughout the 2023-2024 Season. Continue to follow our movement at VitaccaBallet.org.

This season strives to meld patron and artist with a mutual experience on and off the stage to further explore the symbiotic relationship of life and art.  Ms. Vitacca comments, “Vitacca Ballet focuses on creating world premiere contemporary ballets that are thought provoking and allow patron and artist to share in a relatable experience. This provides a rebirth of dance awareness and the progression of ballet for all. Our goal is to root our company into the Houston dance community while we grow and mature along with our patron base.”

This season brings diverse, artistic minds together with the exciting growth of our company including the return of our beloved company artists, Maddie Medina, Coltin Snyder, Fiona Dorr, Jordan Hooks, Joshua Ponton, , Elissa Fonesca, International Guest Khen Kurulkar and new company artists Megumi Nishimori, Aidan Wolf, Nikolas Darrough, Elena Damiani, Ava Dempster, Zephaniah Casey, and Carrington Moser.

About Vitacca Ballet

Founded in 2020 Vitacca Ballet (VB) is a creation-based repertoire company in the Houston area. As the pandemic brought artists home to Houston, Ms. Vitacca strived to keep artists employed, and the Houston arts scene alive with project-based work. This experience laid the framework for the launch of VB in 2021, which now works diligently to operate a 34-week season and employ local, national, and international artists.

Vitacca Ballet has had the honor to work with regional and international choreographers including Tina Kay Bohnstedt, Sean Aaron Carmon, Andrea Dawn Shelley, Garrett Smith, Autumn Eckman and Madison Hicks. Vitacca Ballet has been seen on stage within performance and outreach community events such as Night at the Ballet, San Antonio Dance Gala, Contemporary Dance Choreography Festival in Florida, Versatility Dance Festival in Utah, Bailindo Dance Festival, ANDIOMO presented by Charles Bender Performing Arts Center, Trees of Hope Gala as 2022 Entertainment Sponsor, LAUNCH at Match Houston, Connec(TX)ions Austin collaboration, and Red Rock Dance Festival in Utah.

Vitacca Ballet is a proud to be a fiscally sponsored project through Fractured Atlas. This allows tax-deductible donations to be made toward VB’s vision and artistic growth.

For more information about Vitacca Ballet, visit www.VitaccaBallet.org.  

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