Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre, Santa Cruz County’s largest ballet company, presents a compelling combination of modern, contemporary and neoclassical performances during its 17th annual spring repertory program “In Concert” on April 2 at the Crocker Theater at Cabrillo College.

The program represents the world premiere of pieces by award-winning choreographer and Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre Artistic Director Robert Kelley and guest choreographer Nahshon Marden. Kelley’s piece, “Venteux,” is choreographed in his unique contemporary ballet style to a score by Sergei Prokofiev. “Atmos; Smokey Black” by Marden, a modern piece based on imagery of smoke, is set to a new score by young composer Max Rico.

“In Concert” also will feature the West Coast premiere of “10 in Four Movements,” choreographed by Utah Regional Ballet Artistic Director Jacqueline Colledge. The neoclassical piece features guest artist Skylar Kolby Burson, a professional dancer from Utah Regional Ballet who has a beautiful movement style suited perfectly to the piece.

New pieces choreographed by Kelley for the Junior and Petite Company dancers round out the program, featuring the wonderful Saint Saëns “Carnival of the Animals.” The program will feature 50 dancers, all of whom with the exception of Burson are from Santa Cruz County.

With the unfortunate closing of the Silicon Valley Ballet earlier this month, Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre represents the only ballet venue of this quality between here and San Francisco.

Through “In Concert,” Kelley said the dancers benefit from learning a diversity of techniques and the audience appreciates a variety of performance styles.

“There is something for everyone with this program — not just traditional ballet or modern or contemporary work,” Kelley said. “Part of the mission of Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is to foster growth among the company’s dancers to do a broad spectrum of work.”

Tickets can be purchased through the Crocker Box Office by phone (831) 479-6154 or in person one hour prior to the performance time, or online. All seats are reserved: Premium Section $24 Adult or $15 Senior/Youth; Classic Section $20 Adult or $12 Senior/Youth. Proceeds support the ballet’s operations and scholarship programs.

 

About Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is a nonprofit organization that has been presenting performances in Santa Cruz County for over 30 years. Executive Artistic Directors Robert Kelley and Diane Cypher train an impressive group of pre-professional dancers, augmented by younger Junior and Petite Companies. SCBT is a member of Regional Dance America and has earned the distinction of Honor Company the national organization for many years. Presented at the Civic Auditorium, its annual production of “The Nutcracker” features a full professional orchestra plus internationally and nationally recognized guest artists who are also alumni of the company. Backed by a motivated Board of Directors, Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is committed to being a fixture in the community for many years to come. Learn more at www.scbt.org or on Facebook.