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Los Angeles Ballet presents a company of outstanding dancers from local communities and around the world. LAB dance artists master classical as well as contemporary techniques. Chloe Oronoz Hometown Seasons with LAB 2024/2025 Bio Available Shortly

Like adventurous pioneers, Los Angeles Ballet stepped into uncharted territory Saturday for its season opener, “Modern Moves,” which introduced Aszure Barton’s “Les Chambres des Jacques” and Alejandro Cerrudo’s “Lickety-Split” into the company’s repertory at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. Review: LA Ballet season opens with adventurous and flirtatious ‘Modern Moves’ October 7, 2018 LA Times by Christina Compodonico Like adventurous pioneers, Los Angeles Ballet stepped into uncharted territory Saturday for its season opener, “Modern Moves,” which introduced Aszure Barton’s “Les Chambres des Jacques” and Alejandro Cerrudo’s “Lickety-Split” into the company’s repertory at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. George Balanchine’s 1954 classic “Western Symphony” capped off an evening devoted to contemporary and neoclassical works that were flecked with folksy charm. Throughout, Los Angeles Ballet proved not only fluent in the three choreographers’ styles but also in the wide-ranging love language of their dances. Longing and desire emanated from almost every move in Barton’s lusty “Les Chambres,” set to a fusion of Quebecois folk music, klezmer and Vivaldi. Men approached women clad in corsets with sensual sniffs; others attempted to hug the empty air around them. Agape mouths in the shape of silent screams looked like lips yearning to be kissed. And principal dancer Tigran Sargsyan’s desperate crawl after the woman he pines for sends a stab straight to the heart. If “Les Chambres” is an intimate study of unrequited love, then “Lickety-Split” gives us a look into love unbound. In one vignette, principal Bianca Bulle and Sargsyan initially play hard to get. He then offers his hand, and she squeezes out some invisible elixir — an aphrodisiac perhaps — that sends them into a joyous jaunt across the stage. As Devendra Barhart’s raspy voice creaks over the speakers like a well-worn rocker, you can’t help but feel as if you’re on a front porch, watching lovers dance by the light of fireflies. The duet culminates with Bulle ecstatically shaking her hand between her partner’s legs and Sargsyan playfully banging his head upon her rear. While an odd image, it’s immensely satisfying — reminiscent of the comfort that comes from knowing another intimately — and avant-garde like a piece of absurdist theater. Against such an edgy program, Balanchine’s “Western Symphony” felt a tad dated — its corps of clean-cut cowboys gallantly strumming air guitars and feather-hatted saloon gals do-si-do-ing primly a far cry from Cerrudo and Barton’s sensuous styles. Even Hershy Kay’s classic orchestrations of American folk songs felt a touch Disney-fied. But there were plenty of enchanting moments. The versatile Sargsyan pulled off a delightful adagio with principal Petra Conti, and the dance’s iconic finale — endless pirouettes as the curtain falls — was a strong reminder of how modern this piece once was. Like the depths of a boundless love, it insisted on having no end. READ ARTICLE AT SOURCE Home / News / New Item

Los Angeles – April 18, 2024 - (LAB) hosted its annual Gala on April 18th at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel with dynamic performances by LAB dancers honoring Jennifer Bellah Maguire, accomplished Attorney & LAB Board Chair, and Academy Award®  Winner & LAB Collaborator Kris Bowers, with Angel Awards for the extraordinary contributions they have made to the arts, LAB and the city of Los Angeles. Home / xGala 2025 / Kris Bowers, Academy Award® Winner & Los Angeles Ballet Collaborator, and Jennifer Bellah Maguire, Accomplished Attorney & Los Angeles Ballet Chair were Honored at the 2024 LAB Gala. Gala Raised over $1.246 Million Los Angeles – April 18, 2024 - (LAB) hosted its annual Gala on April 18th at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel with dynamic performances by LAB dancers honoring Jennifer Bellah Maguire, accomplished Attorney & LAB Board Chair, and Academy Award® Winner & LAB Collaborator Kris Bowers, with Angel Awards for the extraordinary contributions they have made to the arts, LAB and the city of Los Angeles. Kris Bowers, Jennifer Bellah Maguire, Melissa Barak; Photo by Shutterstock Koni Rich, Sharon Davis, Melissa Barak, Donna Mills, Erica Min; Photo by Shutterstock Over the last decade, LAB’s Gala has grown into a beloved event to celebrate ballet as part of the cultural landscape of Los Angeles while raising critical funds for LAB’s artistic programming and mission-driven community offerings. This year, the Gala raised $1.246 Million supporting artistic initiatives that include pioneering bold new works and staging beloved classical story ballets, as well as bringing free dance classes to individuals of all ages and skill levels and the joy of live, professional ballet to under-resourced communities across Los Angeles County, including foster youth, veterans, seniors in assisted living and cancer survivors. Sharon Davis, Erica Min, and Koni Rich were the Gala co-chairs, and the evening was hosted by Emmy® Award-winning actress Donna Mills, with Andrew Firestone, of The Bachelor fame, overseeing the Live Appeal. Jeri Gaile, actress and the current Fred Roberts Director of The Music Center Spotlight, presented the Angel Award to Kris Bowers, and Jon Sokoloff, managing partner of Leonard Green & Partners, presented the Angel Award to Jennifer Bellah Maguire. Michael Milken gave a touching tribute to longtime LAB supporter Robert A. Day. The evening was sponsored by Gov. Gray (Ret.) & Sharon Davis, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Dr Ray & Ghana Irani, Debbie & James Lustig, Dr. Richard Merkin, Michael & Lori Milken Foundation, Erica & Sung Min, Julie Opperman, and Koni & Geoff Rich. Lori & Michael Milken: Photo by Shutterstock Governor Gray Davis (Ret.), Monica Duggal & Aaron Duggal; Photo by Shutterstock Guests included Stephanie Blackmore, Glorya Kaufman, Jerry & Terri Kohl, Michael & Lori Milken, Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred Bernstein, Dr. Ray & Ghada Irani, Debbie & Jimmy Lustig, Joan Van Ark, Alia Tutor and Anita Mann Kohl, and arts leaders including Robert van Leer (The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts) and Rachel Moore (The Music Center). Past honorees include Paula Abdul, Lawrence Bender, Sofia Carson, Governor Gray Davis & Sharon Davis, Robert Day, Jenna Dewan, Linda Duttenhaver, Derek Hough, Ghada Irani, Bari Milken, Lori Milken, Jeff Polak, Gelila Assefa Puck, Kenny Ortega, Jane Seymour, Adam Shankman, Anastasia Soare, Johnese Spisso, Alia Tutor and Ben Vereen. LAB Dancers Bryce Broedell, Marco Biella, Paige Wilkey, Hannah Keene; Photo by Shutterstock LAB is the largest professional dance company in Los Angeles and is on an exciting trajectory toward national recognition. Melissa Barak’s world premiere of Memoryhouse this past June gained local and national acclaim. The Los Angeles Times wrote, “It is an exciting moment for ballet in Los Angeles” and Forbes wrote, “Memoryhouse signals a dazzling creative accomplishment.” (Left to Right) LAB Dancers Jacob Soltero, Cesar Ramirez, Simon Costello in Reclamations; Photo by Shutterstock About Los Angeles Ballet - Los Angeles Ballet (LAB) is the leading ballet company in Los Angeles known for staging classical, contemporary, romantic, and neoclassical ballets, pioneering new works, and presenting relevant works by many of today’s most innovative dance-makers. LAB’s original production of The Nutcracker is an annual holiday favorite for Los Angeles residents and regional, national, and international visitors. Led by Artistic Director Melissa Barak, LAB performs in multiple theater venues across LA County including The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, Royce Hall at UCLA, Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, Pasadena Civic Auditorium, and Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. As part of its mission to expand people’s knowledge of and nurture a love for ballet, LAB gives access to performances to the widest audiences possible by providing free tickets for thousands of residents in underserved communities in Los Angeles County through its arts education program, Power of Performance (POP!). In 2012, LAB launched a hands-on outreach program called A Chance to Dance (ACTD) that provides free ballet and movement instruction for all ages. For information on LAB’s Gala, please contact Julia Rivera, Interim Executive Director, at jrivera@losangelesballet.org

Los Angeles Ballet Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary are pleased to present the company’s fifth full-length production, Swan Lake, to an expanded line-up of venues. Los Angeles Ballet to Debut Swan Lake February 1, 2012 LAB Public Relations (Los Angeles, CA) – Los Angeles Ballet [LAB] Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary are pleased to present the company’s fifth full-length production, Swan Lake, to an expanded line-up of venues. New venues include Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach and Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge in addition to Royce Hall at UCLA, Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center and Alex Theatre in Glendale. Choreographed by Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary after the traditional revival credited to Petipa and Ivanov, LAB’s Swan Lake will feature Principal dancers Allynne Noelle and Allyssa Bross in the dual role of Odette/Odile at alternate performances. LAB Principal dancers Christopher Revels and Kenta Shimizu will dance the role of Prince Siegfried, also at alternate performances. Guest dancer Akimitsu Yahata, principal dancer with the New National Ballet of Japan, will dance the role of the Jester at select performances. Additionally, the ballet will feature the full company, as well as students from Los Angeles Ballet School. “With its magnificent Tchaikovsky score, Swan Lake enjoys a rich history and is considered one of the quintessential full length ballets.” says Christensen. “Swan Lake provides a wonderful showcase for our entire company, particularly our Principal Dancers Allynne Noelle and Allyssa Bross,” adds Neary. We are bringing this masterpiece a poetic quality that will tell this love story with tenderness and passion, through the music and our choreography,” says Neary, adding, “[Thordal and I] have a deep relationship with this ballet, from our experience of dancing the leading roles together, which was an important part in our performing careers.” The story of Odette, a princess transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse, Swan Lake was not well received when it originally premiered. It was not until the Petipa/Ivanov revival which has served as the basis for most subsequent interpretations that it became so popular, most recently serving as the basis for the film Black Swan. LAB is currently in its sixth season. This May, LAB will be back with its much-anticipated and innovative Next WaveLA, featuring four World Premieres by distinguished California based choreographers Kitty McNamee, Sonya Tayeh, Stacey Tookey and Josie Walsh. LAB continues to build a repertoire that underscores the creative leadership of its artistic directors, presenting timeless classics as well as innovative choreography from today’s contemporary artists. DOWNLOAD PDF Home / News / New Item

Los Angeles Ballet is the latest company to attempt success against long odds. We wish it well. Get the 'pointe' November 26, 2006 Los Angeles Times from the Staff of the LA Times Los Angeles Ballet is the latest company to attempt success against long odds. We wish it well. Of course we're rooting for the new Los Angeles Ballet, which will debut December 2, at the Wilshire Theatre with a production of (what else?) "The Nutcracker. " Still, it's hard to ignore the historical odds against ballet in the L.A. area. The company may begin with the graceful aarabesque of Clara, but we have to brace ourselves for the thud of "Swan Lake's" Odette dumped to the floor during the pas de deux by a feckless Siefried we call "the public." Locally based ballet has been tutu scarce in Southern California. This remains the only U.S. megopolis without a top-tier classical company, despite well-ranked ballet schools that churn out world-class dancers. There have been at least five attempts to launch a premier company in the last decade, and all of them flopped – in one case, owning large sums of money to its dancers. L.A. Ballet – it even rhymes! – seems like a natural for a dynamic metropolitan area with such a love for arts new and old (including an otherwise lively dance scene). It's always been puzzling that we haven't support a world-raned company. But the survival of an elite adn expensive art form is tricky anywhere. Chicago's renowned 50-year old Joffrey Ballet, whose part-time residence in L.A. during the 1980's didn't work out either. Even superstar Ethan Stiefel couldn't bring in the big bucks when he spent a tour as artistic director of Ballet Pacifica, a small Irvine-based company he had hoped to take regional. Now two notable ballet dancers, Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, are putting their best slippers forward as artistic directors. Their L.A. Ballet will be affiliated with the respected Westside School of Ballet and make its premanent home at th Malibu Performing Arts Center. In a canny move, its version of "The Nutcracker " will be performed at three venues around the county, hoping to draw views by chopping their commutes. None of the locations are with L.A.'s city limits, but there's time to build toward that. The main issue is whether Southern California will provide enough cash and audience to sustain this latest effort. Perhaps some of the major centers of money in town, such as Hollywood, will see the value in supporting the performing arts. It would help L.A. Ballet delivers the goods, and if ballet fans buy tickets. Then, perhaps, L.A. will be ready for a major jeté forwards in the arts. DOWNLOAD PDF Home / News / New Item

Los Angeles Ballet presents a company of outstanding dancers from local communities and around the world. LAB dance artists master classical as well as contemporary techniques. Isabel Bugacov Hometown Seasons with LAB 2024/2025 Bio Available Shortly

The Nutcracker 2019 LAB Ensemble Hannah Keene & Clay Murray Petra Conti, Tigran Sargsyan & LAB Ensemble Mackenzie Moser & LAB Ensemble Joshua Schwartz & Magnus Christoffersen LAB Ensemble Brittany Rand & Mackenzie Moser Laura Chachich & Magnus Christoffersen LAB Ensemble Mackenzie Moser Petra Conti & Eris Nezha LAB Ensemble Hannah Keene & Clay Murray Petra Conti, Tigran Sargsyan & LAB Ensemble Mackenzie Moser & LAB Ensemble Joshua Schwartz & Magnus Christoffersen LAB Ensemble Brittany Rand & Mackenzie Moser Laura Chachich & Magnus Christoffersen LAB Ensemble Mackenzie Moser Petra Conti & Eris Nezha LAB Ensemble Hannah Keene & Clay Murray Petra Conti, Tigran Sargsyan & LAB Ensemble Mackenzie Moser & LAB Ensemble Joshua Schwartz & Magnus Christoffersen LAB Ensemble Brittany Rand & Mackenzie Moser Laura Chachich & Magnus Christoffersen LAB Ensemble Mackenzie Moser Petra Conti & Eris Nezha Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Previous Gallery Next Gallery All photos by Reed Hutchinson Click on image for a fullscreen presentation.

Los Angeles Ballet presents a company of outstanding dancers from local communities and around the world. LAB dance artists master classical as well as contemporary techniques. Julianna Hatton Hometown Seasons with LAB 2024/2025 Bio Available Shortly

Los Angeles Ballet [LAB] Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary are pleased to present three stunning works by George Balanchine this spring. Dancing into Spring with Three Glorious Balanchine Pieces January 12, 2010 LAB Public Relations See the Music, Hear the Dance January 12, 2010 -- Los Angeles Ballet [LAB] Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary are pleased to present three stunning works by George Balanchine this spring. LAB’s spring program See the Music, Hear the Dance from George Balanchine includes the Los Angeles Ballet premieres of Kammermusik No. 2 and Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 , and the return of Serenade . Kammermusik No. 2 is a conceptual work of vast liveliness, momentum and accuracy. The complex eight-man ensemble dances to the composition of the orchestra, while two couples move to the passages of the piano in the counterpart. Balanchine created a role for LAB’s Artistic Director, Colleen Neary in the original cast of Kammermusik No. 2. Principal casting includes Melissa Barak, Grace McLoughlin, Andrew Brader and Drew Grant. Another poignant and dramatic Balanchine piece Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 is an existing tribute to Petipa, 'the father of classical ballet,” as well as to Tchaikovsky, Balanchine’s “greatest composer." This piece transmits the strength and splendor of majestic St. Petersburg, and exhibits the classical style and romanticism of Balanchine's early Russian training. Monica Pelfrey and Zheng Hua Li are the principal cast. Serenade is Balanchine’s first original ballet created in America. Originally intended as a stage technique lesson, Balanchine incorporated unanticipated rehearsal events into the work. This beloved ballet articulates the abundant and mystifying score of Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings in C. Principal casting for Serenade will be varied. DOWNLOAD PDF Home / News / New Item

Read the full article. Los Angeles Times Includes LAB in it’s Best of 2007 Listings December 1, 2007 Los Angeles Times The corps, including the children, danced strongly. Melissa Barak, the First Sylph, gave notice of incipient major Sylph duties. The ballet, staged by co-artistic director Thordal Christensen, a former principal with the Royal Danish Ballet, was danced to pre-recorded music. READ ARTICLE AT SOURCE Home / News / New Item

The Sleeping Beauty 2015 Allyssa Bross as Aurora Allynne Noelle as The Lilac Fairy Fairy Ensemble Colleen Neary as Carabosse Allyssa Bross with LAB Ensemble Allynne Noelle Kenta Shimizu as Prince Desire & Allynne Noelle as The Lilac Fairy Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu Bianca Bulle as The Diamond Julia Cinquemani as Princess Florine Julia Cinquemani as Princess Florine & Luke Schaufuss as The Bluebird Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu LAB Ensemble Allyssa Bross as Aurora Allynne Noelle as The Lilac Fairy Fairy Ensemble Colleen Neary as Carabosse Allyssa Bross with LAB Ensemble Allynne Noelle Kenta Shimizu as Prince Desire & Allynne Noelle as The Lilac Fairy Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu Bianca Bulle as The Diamond Julia Cinquemani as Princess Florine Julia Cinquemani as Princess Florine & Luke Schaufuss as The Bluebird Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu LAB Ensemble Christensen and Neary after Petipa / Tchaikovsky Previous Gallery Next Gallery All photos by Reed Hutchinson Click on image for a fullscreen presentation.

Season 2012-2013 Christensen/Neary Mia Katz & Nicolas de la Vega in 'The Nutcracker' by Christensen/Neary Bianca Bulle in 'The Nutcracker' by Christensen/Neary Zheng Hua Li in 'The Nutcracker' by Christensen/Neary Snowflakes Ensemble in 'The Nutcracker' by Christensen/Neary Helena Thordal-Christensen, David Block & Nicholas de la Vega in 'The Nutcracker' by Christensen/Neary Julia Cinquemani & Alexander Castillo in 'The Nutcracker' by Christensen/Neary Allynne Noelle & Ulrik Birkkjaer in 'The Nutcracker' by Christensen/Neary Allynne Noelle & Zheng Hua Li and Ensemble in George Balanchine's 'La Sonnambula' Allynne Noelle & Zheng Hua Li in George Balanchine's 'La Sonnambula' Chelsea Paige Johnstin & Zheng Hua Li in George Balanchine's 'La Sonnambula' Chelsea Paige Johnstin & Zheng Hua Li in George Balanchine's 'La Sonnambula' Julia Cinquemani & Alyssa Bross and Ensemble in George Balanchine's 'Concerto Barocco' Julia Cinquemani & Alexander Castillo and Ensemble in George Balanchine's 'Concerto Barocco' Allynne Noelle & Kenta Shimizu in George Balanchine's 'Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux' Allyssa Bross & Ulrik Birkkjaer in George Balanchine's 'Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux' Ulrik Birkkjaer in George Balanchine's 'Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux' Kenta Shimizu & Ensemble in George Balanchine's 'The Four Temperaments' Allyssa Bross & Christopher Revels in George Balanchine's 'The Four Temperaments' Kenta Shimizu & Ensemble in George Balanchine's 'The Four Temperaments' Kate Highstrete & Christopher Revels in George Balanchine's 'The Four Temperaments' Chelsea Paige Johnston & Alexander Castillo and Ensemble in 'La Valse' Allyssa Bross & Zheng Hua Li in 'La Valse' Allyssa Bross & Zheng Hua Li in 'La Valse' Allyssa Bross & Zheng Hua Li in 'La Valse' Previous Gallery Next Gallery All photos by Reed Hutchinson Click on image for a fullscreen presentation.