On February 21 at the Covey Center for the Arts, Central Utah Ballet will present “Signatures,” an annual spring performance featuring beautiful dancers and choreography from Central Utah Ballet in Lehi, Utah. For one night only, “Signatures” brings to life beautiful classical showpieces, ornate costumes, and brand-new choreography for a stunning performance for families and arts lovers alike.

“’Signatures’ encompasses the most beautiful aspects of ballet,” says Central Utah Ballet director, Jennie Creer-King. The first half of the performance includes a reimagining of Marius Petipa’s original choreography in ‘The Sleeping Beauty.’ Central Utah Ballet upper divisions students will present popular pieces from this enchanting ballet, including Aurora’s Wedding Pas de Deux, Bluebird, and—of course—Puss ‘n Boots.

“The Sleeping Beauty” is traditionally a luxuriously elegant ballet, and excerpts with Central Utah Ballet will be no different. Creer-King describes the performance as, “Visually breathtaking with ornate costumes and beautifully choreographed scenes that will delight our audiences.”

The second half of the show premiere’s a new work entitled “Ballet Cirque: The Journey,” by award-winning instructor and choreographer, Lindsay Folkman. “Ballet Cirque: The Journey” is inspired by Cirque de Soleil and follows a dancer’s artistic and symbolic journey through years of training. From the first moments of creativity and play to finding strength through challenging and discovering the beauty of her individuality as she takes her final bow.

“[‘Ballet Cirque: The Journey’] mirrors the journey of life in all of us,” says Folkman. “I guess it’s true what they say: ‘Ballet IS life.’”

“Signatures” is one of the most popular performances of the year and sells out quickly. Availability and tickets may be purchased by clicking the button below.

About Central Utah Ballet

Central Utah Ballet is a fully comprehensive classically based ballet program for youth seeking to learn classical ballet and contemporary dance. Central Utah Ballet was founded by award-winning director, choreographer, and instructor Jennie Creer-King. The ballet studio offers classes for students as young as 3 and through adulthood. Explore our class schedule here or stop by our studio in Lehi, Utah to learn more.

About Jennie Creer-King

Jennie is an award-winning dancer, instructor, and choreographer. Among her awards include “Best School Award” by the Youth American Grand Prix, “Best of State” in Choreography and Youth Performing Group, and the Presidential Scholar’s Teacher Recognition Award. She has taught in both university and professional settings, serving as Assistant Professor of Dance at Brigham Young University and Artistic Director of BYU Theater Ballet, Artistic Director of Provo Civic Ballet, and principal of Barbara Barrington Jones Ballet West Academy at Thanksgiving Point, and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah School of Dance.

About Lindsay Folkman

Lindsay Folkman is an extremely talented dance instructor and choreographer, with several awards including 6 Best of State Awards for Best Choreographer, an award for Excellence in Teaching from Brigham Young University, and multiple top 3 ensemble awards for Youth America Grand Prix. Her extensive choreographic career includes ten original contemporary ballet production on both a studio and professional level.

This summer, Chrysalis ballet had the opportunity to perform in the 33rd Florence Dance Festival. Since 1989, the Florence Dance Festival has promoted dance by representing international shows, producing avente-garde choreography, organizing professional training, and creating events for dance lovers of all ages.

Their performance, choreographed by Shani Robison, was titled “Obscured,” and was danced to “Clouds, the Mind on the (Re)Wind” by Ezio Bosso. The piece was also performed in the Palm Desert Choreographic Festival. Enjoy this performance in the video below.

Obscured

Choreographed by Shani Robison

Dancers

Morgan Morley (soloist), Brenna Bartholomew, Hannah Argyle, Natalie Schott, Brooklynn Burbidge Smith, Emma Kruitbosch, Ally Taylor, Sicily Redd, Devin Larsen, Elise Wood.

Central Utah Ballet to Perform Ballet to Broadway on May 12-13

Central Utah Ballet is excited to present Ballet to Broadway on May 12-13, choreographed by the talented Lindsay Folkman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEHI, UTAH, May 2020—Central Utah Ballet will perform Ballet to Broadway, choreographed by award-winning choreographer, Lindsay Folkman and directed by Jennie Creer-King, at the Mid Valley Performing Arts Center in Taylorsville, Utah on May 12 and 13, 2022. This two-night performance almost sold out weeks before the performance in anticipation of the event.

Ballet to Broadway is a unique performance with a re-imagination of Broadway classics through the ages. From Singin’ in the Rain, Cabaret, andChicago, to Annie, Mama Mia, and Finding Neverland, each dance celebrates the original style and choreography with a contemporary dance reimagination by Folkman.

This is a new style of performance for the dancers at Central Utah Ballet, whose typical performances focus on classical, contemporary, and modern dance. The show, explained Folkman, includes “Some lip-syncing, some yelling, some singing—90% of these dancers have never had this type of experience before.” This challenge was intentional, according to Folkman, who sought to draw out a more facial and emotional performance from each dancer, pushing them to engage in greater expression on stage and to connect with the audience. “Being comfortable with being uncomfortable has been the biggest challenge for them,” said Folkman.

While the style of performance is new for Central Utah Ballet’s dancers, Broadway-style choreography is not new to Folkman, who has choreographed three musicals with Scera Center for the Arts in Provo and has choreographed retellings of The Wizard of Oz, Pinocchio, Les Miserables, and an original story titled Unspoken.

“I’ve always told stories in my dance,” says Folkman. “People often ask me which choreographers inspire me the most, but I don’t find my inspiration from other choreographers—I’m most inspired by Steven Spielberg and Walt Disney…I’m inspired by taking the audience on a journey.”

Folkman says her goal with the show is to engage every single audience member throughout the performance. “I want to make it so they’re not just looking through the program for when their child, sibling, etcetera is in the show. I want to engage the entire audience and get them to feel something.”

Tickets to the May 12 performance have sold out with limited tickets remaining available for purchase online for the May 13 performance. More details can be found at https://my.arttix.org/overview/28735

About Central Utah Ballet

Central Utah Ballet is a fully comprehensive, classically based ballet program for youth seeking to learn classical ballet and contemporary dance. The ballet studio provides preschool and toddler ballet, children’s ballet technique classes, pre-professional ballet training programs, junior and senior ballet companies, adult dance classes, and live stage performance opportunities.

Central Utah Ballet focuses on training students with a proper syllabus appropriate to the emotional and physical development of each student. Parents find that the young children’s creative ballet programs are fun and engaging while introducing techniques, children’s ballet classes teach a progression of classical technique and discipline, and the pre-professional/company ballet programs prepare young adults for college or professional auditions.

About Lindsay Folkman

Lindsay has designed, choreographed, and directed full-length contemporary productions and countless repertoire pieces, boasting over twenty years of experience teaching and mentoring aspiring dancers and choreographers nationwide. Her extensive choreographic career includes ten original contemporary ballet productions on both studio and professional levels. She is a eight-time recipient of Utah’s “Best of State” Award in Choreography, including winning this year’s Best Choreographer award.

Outside of her artistic production work, Lindsay is a freelance choreographer and master instructor for various dance studios, musical theater companies, and competition dance soloists. Lindsay’s work has achieved multiple accolades at the internationally prestigious Youth America Grand Prix semi-final competition and has twice been awarded as YAGP “Outstanding Choreographer.” Her work has also won local awards and acknowledgment at the annual Utah Dance Festival, Shakespeare Festival, and the Utah High School Activities Association.