‘The Sleeping Beauty’ runs at the Dr. Phillips Center from October 15 to 18.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
The Orlando Ballet is bringing a classic fairy tale to life on stage as the company kicks off its new season with “The Sleeping Beauty,” running Oct. 15 through Oct. 18 in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center.
The production comes as the company builds on its most successful season yet, with a growing audience and expanded community outreach programs designed to make ballet more accessible throughout Central Florida.
Artistic Director Jorden Morris said the production is an introduction to a season filled with adventure, romance and fairy tales.
“It’s just a really good doorway to what is a season of adventure, romance, love stories and fairy tales,” Morris said.
The company’s growth extends beyond its performances. Morris said Orlando Ballet is developing dancers who can perform on stages locally and around the world.
“We are showing, as an organization, we are growing dancers in Orlando that are fit for the stages here as well as stages around the country and the world,” Morris said.
Bringing The Sleeping Beauty to life also requires extensive preparation behind the scenes. The production features more than 500 costumes that must be ready for opening night.
The production will feature live orchestral music from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing an added layer of magic to the classic fairy tale.
For the dancers, performing professionally is also an opportunity to inspire the next generation of artists.
Orlando Ballet dancer, Ellie Iannotti, said the connection between performers and audiences is especially important in an increasingly digital world.
“With where we are going with technology I think people really crave art and human connection,” Iannotti said. “And I think when you have young kids that feel inspired by ballet, we feel more motivated to be like, yes, come in the studio, learn to express yourself through movement.”
The company works to foster that connection through community enrichment initiatives, including its RISE program.
RISE gives middle and high school students enrolled in dance programs the opportunity to learn about ballet and explore potential careers in the arts at no cost to them.
Shane Bland, head of community enrichment at Orlando Ballet, said the program helps students recognize their abilities and learn how to pursue opportunities in the performing arts.
“Bringing these kids into these programs, really identifying their abilities and then helping to support them in any way that we can,” Bland said. “Whether it’s through understanding how to audition or audition for one of our local talent companies, whether it be Disney or Universal.”
Orlando Ballet is also partnering with the Victim Service Center of Central Florida throughout October to help survivors of domestic violence heal through movement and dance.
The program is called Emotions In Motion and is structured like a dance class. Each session focuses on a featured emotion and includes warm-ups, center work, creative combinations and small-group discussion to help victims heal through dance.
The initiatives are part of the company’s broader effort to connect people of all ages with the arts and extend the impact of ballet beyond the stage.
To purchase tickets to go see “The Sleeping Beauty” and for more information about Orlando Ballet’s community enrichment programs, visit the company’s website here.