Milwaukee Ballet Returns to Marcus Performing Arts Center for 2021/22 Season of Inspiration

MILWAUKEE – June 28, 2021 – Milwaukee Ballet today announced its 2021/22 Season of Inspiration, presented by Donald and Donna Baumgartner, which will mark its triumphant return to Marcus Performing Arts Center following the premature conclusion of its 50^th anniversary season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization makes its way back to the big stage following a year and a half of smaller performances at its headquarters, Baumgartner Center for Dance, along with digital programming.

“The generosity of our donors, ticket buyers, and the community at large kept us on our feet through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, and we couldn’t be more grateful,” said Artistic Director Michael Pink. “It is my hope to thank them with the inspiring world-class performances of the upcoming season.”

Milwaukee Ballet’s last production on a mainstage was Ballet Russe Reimagined in February 2020. The organization staged small-scale, in-person productions at Baumgartner Center for Dance, which were also streamed On Demand in late 2020 and early 2021 in response to the pandemic.

The 2021/22 Season of Inspiration features Michael Pink’s Beauty and the Beast alongside three mixed repertory programs of contemporary dance from award-winning choreographers: Connect, Genesis, and PUSH. The Nutcracker will return to the Marcus Performing Arts Center in December.

“As people begin to resume their new normal, they are searching for experiences to reawaken their senses and make them feel connected and inspired again. As artists, this is when we leap into action with performances that will elevate them from the everyday and leave them feeling energized,” explained Pink.

Pink adds to his legacy of presenting new works with seven world premieres, as he shares the stage with a blend of revered and emerging dance makers from around the world.

“I’m delighted to share the spotlight with prestigious guest choreographers with distinctive voices who will share their unique gifts and visions,” he noted.

Milwaukee Ballet will open its 2021/22 Season in October with Connect, a mixed repertory program of contemporary works from Mauro de Candia, Darrell Grand Moultrie, and Danielle Rowe.

In December, Milwaukee Ballet will stage the traditional presentation of its holiday classic, The Nutcracker. This will be the first time Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra and Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy will join the professional Company on stage since December 2019.

Milwaukee Ballet will host the ninth installment of its choreographic competition, Genesis, in February 2022. For the first time, this competition will take place in the We Energies Foundation Performance Studio at Milwaukee Ballet’s Baumgartner Center for Dance, following the positive responses to last season’s in-house performances. This competition was originally planned for February 2021 and was unable to take place given health and safety restrictions.

In Spring 2022, Milwaukee Ballet will present PUSH at Marcus Performing Arts Center. This production was originally scheduled in March 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic. Two out of the three originally scheduled choreographers, Aleix Mañé and Alejandro Cerrudo, return.

The season will conclude with Michael Pink’s celebrated Beauty and the Beast in May 2022. This fairy-tale sold out performances of its world premiere in 2018.

Pink noted, “Beauty and the Beast is the perfect piece to bring everyone back together in the theater to experience a little magic.”

Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra will be led by Associate Conductor Pasquale Laurino for The Nutcracker and Beauty and the Beast.

Michael Pink Contract Extension

Milwaukee Ballet also announced a contract extension for Artistic Director Michael Pink securing him in his role for five more seasons. Pink, already the longest serving artistic director in Milwaukee Ballet history, will continue at the helm through 2026. Pink’s commitment to new work has been a hallmark of his tenure, resulting in more than 50 world premieres since he began his role in December 2002, including his full-length presentations of Peter Pan, La Bohème, Mirror Mirror, Dorian Gray, and Beauty and the Beast.

“I came to Milwaukee because I felt it had everything a large city offers but with a tightly knit community that was passionate about the arts. I knew they would support not only my vision but ensure the performing arts as a whole would remain world-class,” explained Pink. “I’m grateful for everything this community has given to me and my family, and I can’t wait to begin planning the next five years.”

Details on the 2021/22 Season

Connect
Oct 28-31, 2021 | Marcus Performing Arts Center

Celebrate Milwaukee Ballet’s triumphant return to the Marcus Performing Arts Center stage. This contemporary program brings together internationally acclaimed choreographers from around the world for a showcase of creativity. New York City’s Darrell Grand Moultrie and Australia’s Danielle Rowe each present a new work alongside Purple Fools from Genesis 2011 Choreographic Competition winner Mauro de Candia.

The Nutcracker

Dec 4–26, 2021 | Marcus Performing Arts Center

Choreography: Michael Pink
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Milwaukee’s Magical Holiday Tradition returns to further brighten the most wonderful time of the year. Featuring Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra and Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy.

Genesis
Feb 3-13, 2022 | Baumgartner Center for Dance

Three exciting emerging choreographers seize their opportunity to make their mark on the dance world by presenting a new work. Experience the electricity of this highly anticipated competition up close at Baumgartner Center for Dance. Attendees vote for the Audience Choice Award.

PUSH
March 31-April 3, 2022 | Marcus Performing Arts Center

Experience the powerful combination of music and movement in this captivating program of contemporary work from award-winning choreographers who push the boundaries of dance. Genesis 2019 winner Aleix Mañé returns with an emotional world premiere that will appear next to Extremely Close from Pacific Northwest Ballet Resident Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo. Stephanie Martinez makes her choreographic debut in Milwaukee to round out to the trio.

Beauty and the Beast
May 19-22, 2022 | Marcus Performing Arts Center

Choreography: Michael Pink
Music: Philip Feeney
Belle feels disenchanted by the real world and finds inspiration in the fantasy worlds of her books. Her love of reading unknowingly prepares her to for an adventure in the Beast’s castle. Featuring Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra and Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy.

Tickets
Renewing subscribers can reserve their seats now at milwaukeeballet.org or through Milwaukee Ballet’s box office at 414-902-2103.

Season Packages go on to the public sale Aug 2, 2021.

Tickets to individual performances go on sale Sept 1, 2021.

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 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. Milwaukee Ballet’s award-winning Community Engagement department serves nearly 30,000 people in Southeastern Wisconsin each year through original, interactive programs.

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.