Milwaukee Ballet launches video series celebrating its hometown

MILWAUKEE – Oct 8, 2020 – Milwaukee Ballet today released the first in a series of video vignettes, named “We Miss You MKE,” created to feature well-known and beloved Milwaukee locations that have been shuttered due to the pandemic.

Milwaukee Ballet filmed its dancers at five venues: Miller Park, Summerfest, the Oriental Theater, the Central Milwaukee Public Library, and its home stage at the Marcus Performing Arts Center.

“We are filling these empty spaces with life, hope and dance,” said Artistic Director Michael Pink. “It’s disheartening for our fans, patrons and community partners to be without live ballet, and we recognize the people of Milwaukee are missing many other wonderful activities, events and pastimes that our great city has to offer.”

The inspiration behind the project, Pink noted, was to share a simple sentiment: “We miss you,” “We’re all in this together” and “We’ll see you soon.”

The dancers and film crew adhered to Milwaukee Ballet’s new health and safety protocols, including maintaining at least six feet between the dancers and the film crew. The dancers partnering in the film are in ‘quarantine’ pods together. The film crew, which was minimal to maximize safety, wore masks on set.

Milwaukee Ballet is planning to bring its dancers back to the studios for rehearsal and training in early November, following formal shutdown in March.

Milwaukee Ballet’s annual fundraising efforts are now focused on supporting the Company’s recovery as it faces dramatically reduced earned revenue due to lost ticket revenue and decreased capacity at its School & Academy.

Details about how to support Milwaukee Ballet’s recovery, including shopping its new online store, can be found at milwaukeeballet.org.

About Milwaukee Ballet

Led by Artistic Director Michael Pink, Milwaukee Ballet transforms lives and connects communities through inspiring performance, community engagement, education and training. Milwaukee Ballet hosts an international company of dancers and is one of the few companies in the nation to maintain its own orchestra. Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy is the only professional dance school in the Midwest accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, teaching beginner through pre-professional levels in three locations: Third Ward, Fox Point and Brookfield. Milwaukee Ballet’s award-winning Community Engagement department serves nearly 30,000 people in Southeastern Wisconsin each year through original, interactive programs. Milwaukee Ballet is a proud cornerstone member of United Performing Arts Fund and holds a four-star from Charity Navigator.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.