The Premiere of Contemporary Ballet, Sylph, to Feature Globally Celebrated Dancers with Intimate, In-The-Round Performance

MILWAUKEE (September 11, 2024) – Dawn Springer Dance Projects proudly announces the Milwaukee premiere of Sylph, a contemporary ballet that examines the stereotype of femininity within ballet’s traditional conventions. Set for three in-the-round performances at Jan Serr Studio, Sylph is a collaboration between five internationally recognized ballet dancers and renowned composer-percussionist Jon Mueller. Tickets are available now at: https://sylph.brownpapertickets.com/

The term Sylph traditionally refers to a fairy-like creature in folklore but can also be used to describe a slender young woman. Title and traditional expectations aside, this ballet will take on far more conceptually than the flattened representations of the societal roles women are often confined to, both on and off the stage.

“In ballet, dancers are tasked to portray this iconic lithe image, and I want to reveal the considerable rigor and struggle it takes to create it,” said choreographer Dawn Springer. “Just like the audience that watches, these dancers can do extraordinary things, but up close you can feel how they are also relatable human beings with multifaceted, personal, and contradictory internal lives navigating how they present themselves.”

In 2024, women make up only 23% of artistic directors in American ballet companies, but Sylph is a powerful reminder of how the art form shifts when women hold the reins of creative direction. A talented ensemble of world-class dancers, paired with lighting designer Ellie Rabinowitz, costume designer Leslie Vaglica, and Jon Mueller’s rhythmic compositions invite Milwaukee audiences to experience a world premiere of contemporary ballet with majestic views of Lake Michigan from the Jan Serr Studio.

Ensemble

• Sejain Bastidas (Venezuela) has danced with The National Ballet of Ecuador, The National Ballet of Peru, and has appeared in international galas and competitions including the World Ballet Competition in Orlando, Florida.
• Itzel Hernandez (Cuba) was well known for her powerful dancing during 10 seasons with Milwaukee Ballet. She trained at the Harid Conservatory before performing with Orlando Ballet. She has danced lead roles in numerous productions, including Swan Lake and Don Quixote.
• Annia Hidalgo (Cuba) was a celebrated leading artist with Milwaukee Ballet and has performed internationally as a soloist with the Cuban National Ballet under Alicia Alonso. Her repertoire includes lead roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, and Beauty and the Beast.
• Janel Hutchison (USA) began her career at Oregon Ballet Theatre and danced with Milwaukee Ballet for seven seasons before earning her master’s at UW-Madison. She has performed lead roles in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, and Swan Lake.
• Accomplished dance artist Natalie Dellutri (USA) BFA Ballet, University of Utah,  has performed work by world-renowned choreographers including Michael Pink, Alonzo King, Jules Perrot, Alejandro Cerrudo, Ohad Naharin, Nacho Duato, Mats Ek, Crystal Pite, Roderick George, and Anouk van Dijk.

Jan Serr Studio, 2155 N Prospect Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
$35 | GENERAL ADMISSION SEATING
https://sylph.brownpapertickets.com/

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.