Houston Ballet

Beginning in the 1930s, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.{{Cite web |title=Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo (Broadway, City Center, 1944) |url=https://www.playbill.com/production/ballet-russe-de-monte-carlo-city-center-vault-0000013237 |website=Playbill}} spent a week during the Christmas season performing for Houston audiences for 11 years.{{Cite web |title=Records of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, circa 1936-1978 |url=https://archives.nypl.org/dan/19695#c353581 |website=The New York Public Library Archives & Manuscripts}} This led patrons to express a growing desire for a resident dance company within Houston.{{Cite web |last=Glentzer |first=Molly |date=October 14, 2016 |title=Precision, passion build Houston Ballet |url=https://www.chron.com/local/history/culture-scene/article/Precision-passion-build-Houston-Ballet-9972703.php |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=Chron}}

The Houston Ballet has its origins in the Houston Ballet Academy, which was established in 1955 under the leadership of Tatiana Semenova, a former dancer with the Ballets Russes.{{cite web| title = Tatiana Semenova Papers

| accessdate = 2011-09-09| url = http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/uhsc/00023/hsc-00023.html}} In 1969, the foundation formed a professional ballet company under the direction of Nina Popova, also a former dancer with the Ballet Russes and the American Ballet Theatre.{{Cite journal| title = Houston Ballet: The Fledgling Years 1967–1976 |author=Cunningham, Carl |date=November 8, 2009|journal=Playbill Arts| accessdate = 2011-09-09| url = http://www.playbillarts.com/features/article/8200.html}}

From 1976–2003, Ben Stevenson, a former dancer with Britain's Royal Ballet and English National Ballet, served as artistic director of Houston Ballet.{{cite web|title=Information about Houston Ballet |publisher=The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts |accessdate=2011-09-09 |url=http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=4912&source_type=O |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126170500/http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=4912&source_type=O |archivedate=January 26, 2012 }} Under Stevenson's leadership, the ballet transformed "from regional to international prominence".{{Cite news| title = Houston Ballet names director |newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Pasles, Chris|date=June 12, 2003| access-date = 2011-09-09

| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-12-wk-quick12.4-story.html}}

In 1989, Kenneth MacMillan joined the company as artistic associate and worked with the company from 1989 until his death in 1992.{{cite web| title = PlaybillArts: Features: Houston Ballet Presents Song of the Earth

| accessdate = 2011-09-09| url = http://www.playbillarts.com/features/article/8590.html

}} Christopher Bruce was named resident choreographer. Bruce, who currently holds the title of associate choreographer, has set nine works on the company, including four pieces created especially for Houston Ballet.{{Cite book| title = Fifty contemporary choreographers |isbn=978-0-415-10363-3| author=Bremser, Martha | year=1999

|publisher=Psychology Press | accessdate = 2011-09-09 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=PMoJI880ifEC&dq=christopher+bruce+houston+ballet&pg=PA46}}

In March 1995, Trey McIntyre assumed the position of choreographic associate.{{cite web| title = Dance | Alumni| accessdate = 2011-09-09| url = http://www.uncsa.edu/dance/alumni.htm| archive-date = February 24, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120224045207/http://www.uncsa.edu/dance/alumni.htm| url-status = dead}} McIntyre has created seven world premieres for the company, including his first full-length production of Peter Pan.{{Cite journal

| title = A tall order for Trey McIntyre: choreographer sets Houston Ballet's Peter Pan | journal=Dance Magazine

| accessdate = 2011-09-09| url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1083/is_3_76/ai_83450418/}} In 2003, Australian choreographer Stanton Welch was appointed as Artistic Director and has created numerous works for Houston Ballet.{{cite web|url =http://www.houstonballet.org/Inside_Houston_Ballet/Artistic_Staff/Stanton_Welch/Stanton_Welch_Repertoire/ |title=Stanton Welch Repertoire |publisher=Houston Ballet |date= |accessdate=2012-02-17}}

For the company's 40th season in 2010, Stanton Welsh created a new production of La Bayadère.{{cite web |last=Gustin |first=Marin |date=3 March 2010 |title=Bitten by La Bayadere |work=Houston Press |url=http://www.houstonpress.com/arts/bitten-by-la-bayadere-6574799 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709113109/http://www.houstonpress.com/arts/bitten-by-la-bayadere-6574799 |archivedate=9 July 2017 |url-status=live}}

In 2011 the company was the first company to win the Rudolf Nureyev Prize for New Dance, allowing the company to purchase a new piece by Jorma Elo.{{cite news

| last =

| first =

| title =A New Dance Center for Houston

| newspaper =New York Times

| location = New York, United States

| pages =

| publisher =

| date = 8 April 2011

| url =http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/a-new-dance-center-for-houston/?scp=4&sq=Rudolf%20Nureyev%20Prize%20for%20New%20Dance&st=cse

| accessdate = 5 April 2012}}

In 2012, James Nelson was promoted from General Manager of Houston Ballet to the role of Executive Director. Julie Kent joined Welch as co-artistic director in July 2023.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/21/arts/dance/julie-kent-houston-ballet.html|title=Julie Kent, Renowned Former Ballerina, Will Lead Houston Ballet|work=New York Times|last=Hernández|first=Javier C.|date=October 21, 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/theater-dance/2022/10/21/washington-ballet-julie-kent/|title=Washington Ballet artistic director Julie Kent is stepping down

|newspaper=Washington Post|last=Kaufman|first=Sarah L.|date=October 21, 2022}}

In 1982, Sandra Organ, a Nebraska native, joined the Houston Ballet and became its first African American ballerina at the age of 19. She was promoted to soloist, and remained with the Houston Ballet until her retirement, fifteen years later.

In 1990 Lauren Anderson became the Houston Ballet's first African-American principal dancer. Anderson continued to dance with the Houston Ballet until her retirement in 2006 at the age of 41.{{cite news | url = http://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/Houston-Ballet-s-Lauren-Anderson-readies-her-1850449.php | title = Houston Ballet's Lauren Anderson readies her final bow | work =Houston Chronicle | first= Gabrielle | last= Cosgriff | date= November 26, 2006 | accessdate= 2013-10-31}}

In July 1995, the Houston Ballet became the first full American ballet company invited by the Chinese government to tour the country. An estimated 500 million people witnessed Houston Ballet's production of Romeo and Juliet when the company's opening night performance was telecast live on Chinese television.{{Cite journal| title = Houston Ballet Co. continues to grow by leaps and bounds |journal=Houston Business Journal| accessdate = 2011-09-09 | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/12/28/story17.html |author=Chapman, Betty T. |date=December 27, 2009}}

Houston Ballet's first performance with a live orchestra was with the Houston Symphony. Together, they performed Nutcracker in December 1972.

In 1983, Stevenson hired Glenn Langdon as music director. Langdon implemented the concept of a fully auditioned orchestra and increased the size of the string section. Langdon left Houston Ballet in 1989. After his departure, a series of guest conductors led the next season, including John Lanchbery and Jack Everly.{{cn|date=February 2024}}

Ermanno Florio, who had been a guest conductor during the 1991–92 season, was appointed music director in 1992. The Houston Ballet Orchestra currently{{when?|date=February 2024}} sits at 61 part-time professional musicians with 56 core members. Additionally, there are eight full-time professional pianists and several part-time pianists and percussionists who play for classes and rehearsals.

File:HoustonBalletApril92011.jpg

With 115,00 square feet spread over six floors and containing nine studios, Houston Ballet Center for Dance is the largest building dedicated to a professional dance company in the United States. The first floor of the Center for Dance houses the Margaret Alkek Williams Dance Lab, a facility that is regularly used for educational performances, lecture series, design meetings, and rehearsals. In addition to administrative offices, the Center has a costume shop, shoe room, music library, the Houston Ballet Academy Studios, the Professional Company's Studios and Dressing Rooms.

Excavation of the building site began in July 2009. On March 10, 2010, Houston Ballet hosted a party with dancers, staff members, donors, and friends to sign the last construction beam. In the end, the new building cost $46.6 million. Staff moved into the building in February 2011, and then-Mayor Annise Parker presided over the ribbon-cutting on April 9.{{Cite press release |last=Ballet |first=Gensler; Houston |title=Houston Ballet Conducts First Rehearsals at Nation's Largest Professional Dance Facility |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/houston-ballet-conducts-first-rehearsals-at-nations-largest-professional-dance-facility-118814849.html |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}

On August 26, 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit the city of Houston. Both the Houston Ballet Center for Dance and the Wortham Theater Center took on water, leaving the company and Academy without rehearsal and performance space just as the 2017–18 season was set to open. Nevertheless, the Houston premiere of Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling took place on schedule at the nearby Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.{{Cite news |last=Cooper |first=Michael |date=2017-09-19 |title=Hurricane Harvey Closes Houston's Opera and Ballet Home for a Season |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/19/arts/music/hurricane-harvey-closes-houstons-opera-and-ballet-home-for-a-season.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |date=2017-09-07 |title=Hurricane Harvey pummeled the Houston arts district, but like a fighter, its resilience remains |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/architecture/2017/09/07/hurricane-harvey-pummeled-the-houston-arts-district-but-like-a-fighter-its-resilience-remains/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}

While Hurricane Harvey affected operations at Houston Ballet temporarily, the damage incurred within the Wortham Theater Center, was extensive. The Wortham received 12 feet of water and remained closed for the rest of the season. Damage included destruction of costumes from around 50 ballets, which accounts for 60 percent of the repertoire. Houston Ballet Executive Director Jim Nelson said the company would suffer about a $12 million economic impact over three years recovering from Hurricane Harvey.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2017/12/08/houston-ballet-executive-director-the-arts-are.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.bizjournals.com}} In order to preserve the 2017–18 season, Houston Ballet launched its Hometown Tour and presented its planned season at alternate venues, including The Hobby Center for Performing Arts, Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, Houston Grand Opera's Resilience Theater at the George R. Brown Convention Center, the General Assembly Hall at the George R. Brown Convention Center, and Jones Hall.{{Cite web |title=2016 Present |url=https://www.houstonballet.org/explore/history/2016-present/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Houston Ballet |language=en}}

{{unreferenced section|date=February 2024}}

In 2009, the autobiography of former Houston Ballet Principal dancer Li Cunxin, Mao’s Last Dancer, was made into a film by Australian director Bruce Beresford.{{Cite news |last=Bloom |first=Julie |date=2010-08-20 |title=Heading West: A Ballet Dancer From China Looks Back |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/21/arts/dance/21mao.html |access-date=2025-04-18 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} It premiered on September 13, 2009, at the Toronto International Film Festival, was nominated for several Australian film awards, and won the AACTA Award for Best Original Music Score.{{Cite web |date=2009-10-03 |title=TIFF - Toronto International Film Festival - Mao's Last Dancer |url=http://www.tiff.net/filmsandschedules/films/maoslastdancer |access-date=2025-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003182938/http://www.tiff.net/filmsandschedules/films/maoslastdancer |archive-date=October 3, 2009 }}{{Cite web |title=Mao's Last Dancer (2009) Awards & Festivals |url=https://mubi.com/en/films/maos-last-dancer/awards |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=mubi.com}}

The documentary dance performance film Sons de L'âme (“Sounds of the Soul”) was choreographed by Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch and featured 16 Houston Ballet dancers. It premiered at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris in October 2013 and debuted in the US on November 16, 2014 at the 2014 Houston Cinema Arts Festival. It is set to piano pieces by Frédéric Chopin, performed by Lang Lang.{{Cite news |date=November 12, 2014 |title=Houston Ballet, Houston Cinema Arts Festival present the American premiere of 'Sons De L'ame'" |url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/article/Houston-Ballet-Houston-Cinema-Arts-Festival-9887091.php |access-date=April 18, 2025 |work=Chron.com}}

Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market was conceived by trustee Preston John Frazier Jr. in 1981 as a European style bazaar (Christmas market) to support dance scholarships, and is now a four-day event in November.{{cite web | url=https://www.chron.com/life/article/nutcracker-market-founder-preston-j-frazier-dies-3577857.php | title=Nutcracker Market founder Preston J. Frazier dies | date=May 23, 2012 }}

{{cite web | url=https://www.houstonballet.org/about/nutcracker-market/explore/nutcracker-market1/ | title=Nutcracker Market }}

{{Reflist}}

{{Dance Companies in the United States}}

{{Ballet companies}}

{{Portal bar|Texas}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Ballet companies in the United States

Category:Culture of Houston

Category:Texas classical music

Category:1969 establishments in Texas

Category:Performing groups established in 1969

Category:Tourist attractions in Houston