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Los Angeles Ballet staff are comprised of talented non-profit arts professionals dedicated to supporting and producing outstanding productions for the LA community and southern California. Home / Staff / Artistic Staff Catherine Kanner Design Director Catherine Kanner worked as a founding Board Member and Design Director for Los Angeles Ballet from 2005 to 2022. During that period she oversaw and provided all promotional materials for Los Angeles Ballet. For more about Catherine Kanner catherinekanner.com Previous Artistic Staff

James and the Sylph soon meet their destruction, however, James has deeply though mindlessly offended the witch Madge earlier during the wedding day. Home / News / New Item Shelling Out Dividends, Los Angeles Ballet's Version of The Nutcracker is a bright season opener... December 15, 2008 Los Angeles Times by Victoria Looseleaf James and the Sylph soon meet their destruction, however, James has deeply though mindlessly offended the witch Madge earlier during the wedding day. Now, seeking to bring his ideal Sylph into his arms, he drapes a veil he doesn’t know has been poisoned by Madge over the Sylph’s shoulders and winds it around her arms. The Sylph immediately loses her wings, comes to earth and quickly dies. James is stunned and collapses in grief. DOWNLOAD PDF

Read the full article. Home / News / New Item 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

With the addition of “The Sleeping Beauty” to its repertory, the Los Angeles Ballet rounds out its Tchaikovsky trilogy, having launched the company with “The Nutcracker” in 2006 and staged “Swan Lake in 2011.” Taking on these three touchstones of classical ballet is a considerable achievement for any company but especially one only 9 years old. Home / News / New Item L.A. Ballet rounds out Tchaikovsky trilogy with 'The Sleeping Beauty' February 26, 2015 Los Angeles Times by Susan Reiter With the addition of “The Sleeping Beauty” to its repertory, the Los Angeles Ballet rounds out its Tchaikovsky trilogy, having launched the company with “The Nutcracker” in 2006 and staged “Swan Lake in 2011.” Taking on these three touchstones of classical ballet is a considerable achievement for any company but especially one only 9 years old. “We consider ourselves a classical company. We’re trying to shape the repertory so that we include everything that will also make the dancers that much better,” company co-artistic director Colleen Neary said recently by phone with Thordal Christensen, the other artistic director, and her husband. “It really is wonderful to see the growth within the company with this repertoire.” She and Christensen choreographed this premiere “after Petipa,” blending their own choreography with the well-known touchstones of French ballet master and choreographer Marius Petipa that have been passed down through ballet generations since 1890. They both had experience performing in — as well as staging — the work with the Royal Danish Ballet, which Christensen directed, while Neary worked as principal ballet mistress. “It’s the quintessential classical ballet,” Neary said. The duo researched other productions and made choices based on their specific approach and on what worked best for their 37-member company. The expansive ballet calls upon the full roster, with most dancers taking on multiple roles. “We tried to tell the story in an organic, magical way — tried to keep it fairly light,” Christensen said. “‘Sleeping Beauty’ can sometimes have a tendency to be very heavy in its storytelling. I think we tried to lighten it a little bit.” Christensen, a Dane, and Neary, an American whose extensive performing career began with New York City Ballet, recognize the important role that mime plays in the ballet. “You have to be true to the tradition of Petipa, but you’re not telling the mime in an old-fashioned way. It is very real in its storytelling,” said Neary, who performs the crucial character role of Carabosse, the irate fairy whose vengeful spell sets the plot in motion. Their new “Sleeping Beauty,” being presented in four Los Angeles-area venues, features sets and costumes designed by David Walker, originally for a 1977 Royal Ballet production. Neary emphasizes that the Los Angeles Ballet’s intention is “to bring ourselves to the communities of L.A.” “That’s what we have been about for the past nine years,” she adds. “It’s been a recipe that has worked extremely well, and we have really developed our audiences in all these venues. We’re very excited to bring a piece that’s this big and this wonderful to these audiences.” READ ARTICLE AT SOURCE

Aiming to become what artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary call "a major company that belongs to L.A. - that has a local flavor at an international level," the newly formed Los Angeles Ballet has announced its first season of performances and placed subscription tickets on sale. Home / News / New Item A ballet's next steps October 11, 2006 Company News from the Staff at LAB Los Angeles Ballet announces its first season, to be presented in three areas of the sprawling city By Lewis Segal, Times Staff Writer October 11, 2006 Aiming to become what artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary call "a major company that belongs to L.A. - that has a local flavor at an international level," the newly formed Los Angeles Ballet has announced its first season of performances and placed subscription tickets on sale. The company's debut will take place Dec. 2 at the Wilshire Theatre in a brand-new Christensen / Neary "Nutcracker," with repeat engagements through December at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center and the Alex Theatre in Glendale. Programs dominated by the works of George Balanchine are scheduled for mid-March and early June at these same three venues."We feel that it's part of our mission to bring ourselves to audiences in all of the areas," Neary explained in a recent interview. Christensen added: "You can't blame audience members for not wanting to sit in traffic when they go out at night. By being in the Wilshire Theatre, we're covering the Westside. By being at the Alex, we're covering Glendale and Pasadena. And by being down in Redondo, we're covering the beach communities." Christensen danced with Pacific Northwest Ballet before becoming artistic director of the Royal Danish Ballet. Neary (his wife) danced with New York City Ballet and has staged Balanchine choreography for a number of major companies. Their Los Angeles Ballet has no connection with the company of the same name run by New York City Ballet alumnus John Clifford from the early 1970s to the mid-'80s, or with Clifford's attempt to restart that company 10 years later. The current roster includes 21 resident professional dancers on 21-week contracts. Home is the Malibu Performing Arts Center. The projected annual budget is $1.7 million, and Christensen said that enough money is on hand, from unspecified sources, to carry the company through the "Nutcracker" engagements "without selling any tickets. We have paid for our production, we have paid for the theaters, and on top of that we have a cash reserve of approximately two- to three-hundred-thousand dollars." "Nutcracker" costumes are being donated by the Royal Danish Ballet, but the sets are newly created by locally based designer Catherine Kanner. "They'll be traditional but a little bit different," Christensen promised. "We wanted to make something very specifically for Los Angeles." Negotiations continue with musicians needed for the "Nutcracker" orchestra and with guest dancers as well. American Ballet Theatre principal Paloma Herrera has been signed for three "Nutcracker" performances. In addition, the company subscription brochure lists Artem Shpilevsky of the Bolshoi Ballet and five principals from New York City Ballet (Yvonne Borree, Nikolaj Hübbe, Maria Kowroski, Nilas Martins and Benjamin Millipied) as guest artists, but who will appear when has to be determined. Christensen and Neary have been working for years for this moment of launch. "Los Angeles is ready for its own ballet company," Christensen declares. "The timing is right for this. We're going to have to develop our own audience — to prove ourselves, to show that the level of excellence that we put on is at a very high level. That's going to be our challenge. But we feel now that we're ready to begin."

Finally, the company will reprise its provocative NextWaveLA series, which features world premire works created by local choreographers specifically for dancers in LAB. Home / News / New Item "Ballet is Woman" but, Aha, The Men Revolt" March 1, 2010 Huffington Post by Donna Perlmutter The Peasant Pas de Deux was danced by Allynne Noelle and Zheng Hua Li (who alternates in the role of Prince Albrecht). Noelle was sunny and graceful. Li had crisp, flashing legwork, but tended to land badly. The corps looked well-schooled, although earthbound. The company danced to pre-recorded music. DOWNLOAD PDF

Los Angeles Ballet Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary are pleased to announce the company’s fifth season as Los Angeles’ own professional ballet company. Home / News / New Item Los Angeles Ballet Announces Season 5 August 10, 2010 LAB Public Relations Celebrating Landmark Fifth Season! (Los Angeles, CA) Los Angeles Ballet Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary are pleased to announce the company’s fifth season as Los Angeles’ own professional ballet company. This season the company will dazzle viewers with The Nutcracker , Balanchine masterworks, a World Premiere , and the beloved romantic ballet Giselle . Back to thrill audiences during the holidays and begin the fifth season, LAB will perform its Neary- Christensen choreographed production of The Nutcracker , the city's most enduring holiday tradition. Celebration comes to Los Angeles in March, featuring Balanchine's luscious Raymonda Variations and riotous Western Symphony , plus another World Premiere created specifically for LAB dancers by the returning Sonya Tayeh. In May, the 2010-2011 landmark season culminates with the timeless, full-length romantic Giselle, with choreography by Artistic Director Thordal Christensen, (after Coralli, Perrot and Petipa). The Season 5 Gala Celebration will take place on Saturday May 28th, 2011, at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica, after a performance of Giselle. Additionally, Los Angeles Ballet continues its commitment to the workshop process, to the identification and nurture of emerging choreographers, composers and designers. LAB’s Choreographic Workshop will take place May 24, 2011. The Company 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

La Sylphide 2014 Balanchine / Tchaikovsky Ulrik Birkkjaer & Allynne Noelle LAB Ensemble Colleen Neary, Ashley Millar & LAB Ensemble Kenta Shimizu & LAB Ensemble Kenta Shimizu & LAB Ensemble Kenta Shimizu & LAB Ensemble Allynne Noelle, Ulrik Birkkjaer & LAB Ensemble Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu Allynne Noelle & Ulrik Birkkjaer Allyssa Bross, Kenta Shimizu & LAB Ensemble Colleen Neary Ulrik Birkkjaer & Allynne Noelle LAB Ensemble Colleen Neary, Ashley Millar & LAB Ensemble Kenta Shimizu & LAB Ensemble Kenta Shimizu & LAB Ensemble Kenta Shimizu & LAB Ensemble Allynne Noelle, Ulrik Birkkjaer & LAB Ensemble Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu Allynne Noelle & Ulrik Birkkjaer Allyssa Bross, Kenta Shimizu & LAB Ensemble Colleen Neary Ulrik Birkkjaer & Allynne Noelle LAB Ensemble Colleen Neary, Ashley Millar & LAB Ensemble Kenta Shimizu & LAB Ensemble Kenta Shimizu & LAB Ensemble Kenta Shimizu & LAB Ensemble Allynne Noelle, Ulrik Birkkjaer & LAB Ensemble Allyssa Bross & Kenta Shimizu Allynne Noelle & Ulrik Birkkjaer Allyssa Bross, Kenta Shimizu & LAB Ensemble Colleen Neary Previous Gallery All photos by Reed Hutchinson Click on image for a fullscreen presentation. Next Gallery

The Nutcracker 2016 Who Cares? – Balanchine / Gershwin SarahAnne Perel, Zheng Hua Li & LAB Ensemble SarahAnne Perel & Javier Moya Romero Bianca Bulle, Dustin True & LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani Joshua Brown SarahAnne Perel Elizabeth Claire Walker & LAB Ensemble Robert Mulvey, Jeongkon Kim & Samuel Akins Julia Cinquemani & Tigran Sargsyan Allyssa Bross & LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani & Kenta Shimizu SarahAnne Perel, Zheng Hua Li & LAB Ensemble SarahAnne Perel & Javier Moya Romero Bianca Bulle, Dustin True & LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani Joshua Brown SarahAnne Perel Elizabeth Claire Walker & LAB Ensemble Robert Mulvey, Jeongkon Kim & Samuel Akins Julia Cinquemani & Tigran Sargsyan Allyssa Bross & LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani & Kenta Shimizu SarahAnne Perel, Zheng Hua Li & LAB Ensemble SarahAnne Perel & Javier Moya Romero Bianca Bulle, Dustin True & LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani Joshua Brown SarahAnne Perel Elizabeth Claire Walker & LAB Ensemble Robert Mulvey, Jeongkon Kim & Samuel Akins Julia Cinquemani & Tigran Sargsyan Allyssa Bross & LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani & Kenta Shimizu Previous Gallery All photos by Reed Hutchinson Click on image for a fullscreen presentation. Next Gallery

Kudos to the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the LA Board of Supervisors, for supporting Los Angeles Ballet’s completely credible “Swan Lake” in five venues around LA County. The Arts Commission’s major funding of the production acknowledges our city’s worthiness of LAB’s continuing presence as LA’s own world-class ballet company. Home / News / New Item Los Angeles Ballet's "Swan Lake" March 18, 2012 CultureSpotLA by Penny Orloff Kudos to the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the LA Board of Supervisors, for supporting Los Angeles Ballet’s completely credible “Swan Lake” in five venues around LA County. The Arts Commission’s major funding of the production acknowledges our city’s worthiness of LAB’s continuing presence as LA’s own world-class ballet company. The quintessential classical ballet, “Swan Lake” first appeared in 1877. The earliest of the great Tchaikovsky ballets, the music uses Russian folk music, leitmotif, and orchestral color to tell the Romantic tale of a lovestruck prince, an enchanted maiden, and an evil sorcerer. LAB’s four-act “Swan Lake” is a towering accomplishment for the 6-year-old company. As staged by artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, the piece retains its magical 19th-century style and flavor, while simplifying and clarifying some of the more arcane elements. In a bold departure from most modern productions, Christensen and Neary restore the original 1877 ending, in which Von Rothbart, the evil sorcerer, is vanquished by the Prince, and dies a particularly gruesome death. Principal dancer Allynne Noelle takes on the demanding central role — playing both the Swan Queen and her treacherous, look-alike rival. A Southern California native, Noelle has spent the better part of the past decade honing her considerable skills in such companies as the National Ballet of Canada and Miami City Ballet. Now at the peak of her artistry, her revelatory interpretation of Odette/Odile places her among the greatest of today’s American ballerinas. Noelle’s technique is perfection — her gorgeous extensions, precision footwork, spellbinding ports de bras, and extraordinary turns take one’s breath away. But beyond these virtuoso aspects of her dancing, it is her stillness in Act 2 that is most compelling. Here is an artist imbued with that indefinable quality we name Presence. Her virtuosity has no limits. All radiance and shimmer, Noelle’s Odette is a tortured soul, yearning for release, transformed by love. Her Act 3 Odile exudes a raw sexuality that culminates as the bravura 32 fouetté turns explode in a burst of depraved triumph. Opposite her, Kenta Shimizu’s Prince Siegfried is flawless. The steadiness of his support and ease in the lifts enhance his partner’s transcendent performance. Currently enjoying an ever-increasing international career, Shimizu’s cool elegance and regal bearing are a perfect complement to Noelle’s emotional style. Alternating with Noelle and Shimizu as the hapless lovers are Allyssa Bross and Christopher Revels. Discovered by Christensen and Neary during the month-long 2010 LAB Summer Intensive, Bross entered the company as a soloist during season five, rising within months to principal dancer. Her performances as Marie in “The Nutcracker” and as last season’s ethereal Giselle garnered national attention. In her first “Swan Lake,” Bross impresses with her stylistic purity and luminous characterization of the Swan Queen. Her Act 3 Black Swan is icy, treacherous; in her ultimate victory over Revels’ callow Prince, her seductive smile becomes a sneer of contempt. Gifted with exceptional grace and beauty, a solid technique, and formidable physical stamina, this young artist is clearly one to watch. Audience favorite Revels brings an earthy sensuality to his first performances as the Prince. Having partnered Bross for “The Nutcracker,” “Raymonda Variations,” and “Giselle” last year, the pair have an easy rapport and a convincing chemistry together. This young man is gifted with a charismatic presence and a devil-may-care fearlessness that make his every entrance electrifying. Particularly impressive are his huge floating leaps, great strength in the lifts, and phenomenal endurance. Last year a nominee for the prestigious Princess Grace Award, at 20 years of age he continues to develop his prodigious talent under the inspired mentoring of Christensen and Neary. As the evil von Rothbart, Nicholas De La Vega owns the stage. His dancing has about it a fatal glamour. LA balletomanes will remember his definitive Drosselmeyer in last December’s “The Nutcracker,” and his powerful performance in last season’s Sonia Tayeh world premiere, “My Greatest Fear.” De La Vega’s rapier-thin physique and flashing eyes are also featured in the April issue of Marie Claire magazine. The production is replete with highlights. Guest artist Akimitsu Yahata dances the Jester with great wit — and spectacular leaps and turns. Act 3’s Court Scene features a plethora of folk-inspired dances. A bravura Neapolitan Dance features Isabel Vondermuhll and Christopher McDaniel; Kate Highstrete and Alex Castillo lead a spirited Hungarian Dance; and Chelsea Paige Johnston and Julia Cinquemani offer a mesmerizing Russian Dance. Brilliant soloists aside, “Swan Lake” ultimately succeeds or fails on the strength of the women’s corps de ballet. Perhaps the greatest achievement of this production is LAB’s peerless ranks of swans. Every back has the same arch, every arm exhibits the same pure line from shoulder to fingertip, every neck is identically poised. Gliding across the stage in perfectly synchronized bourrées they are stunningly beautiful; in their moments of stillness, they are a living work of art. The second act Dance of the Cygnets is hypnotic as a petite foursome, arms interlaced, drill out perfectly coordinated pas de chats and échappés. This tour de force is all the more impressive considering that apprentice Sophie Silna, a product of the LAB School, stepped in to replace an injured colleague on a mere two days’ notice. —Penny Orloff, Culture Spot LA Performances continue at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach on Saturday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. and at the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge on Saturday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m. For information and tickets, visit www.losangelesballet.org . DOWNLOAD PDF

a166a047-ee69-4ca0-b214-93c97e73ac98 2024-2025 Season / Ticket Information / Gift Certificates Gift Certificates Give the gift of ballet to friends and family! Los Angeles Ballet Gift Certificates are available in a variety of denominations and are redeemable for all regular performances. Los Angeles Ballet Gift Certificates can be purchased by phone at (310) 998-7782 For questions and support, please contact the Box Office at (310) 998-7782 to purchase by phone, Monday through Friday, 12:00pm to 5:00pm. In-person Ticket Sales Group Sales Venues Accessibility Gift Certificates Tax-Deductibe Donations Terms & Conditions of Sales In-house Policies Privacy Policy

The Nutcracker 2021 Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Cloe Taneja with Camille Goldsborough & Luna Weintraub in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with James Zenghhua Li & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Marcos Ramirez Castellano & Kate Inoue with James Zenghua Li in The Nutcracker Ryo Araki LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker; LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Laura Chachich & Joshua Brown in The Nutcracker; - Jasmine Perry & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Petra Conti in The Nutcracker Petra Conti in The Nutcracker Petra Conti, Tigran Sargsyan & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with James Zenghhua Li & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with Camille Goldsborough & Luna Weintraub in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with James Zenghhua Li & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Marcos Ramirez Castellano & Kate Inoue with James Zenghua Li in The Nutcracker Ryo Araki LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker; LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Laura Chachich & Joshua Brown in The Nutcracker; - Jasmine Perry & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Petra Conti in The Nutcracker Petra Conti in The Nutcracker Petra Conti, Tigran Sargsyan & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with James Zenghhua Li & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with Camille Goldsborough & Luna Weintraub in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with James Zenghhua Li & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Marcos Ramirez Castellano & Kate Inoue with James Zenghua Li in The Nutcracker Ryo Araki LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker; LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Laura Chachich & Joshua Brown in The Nutcracker; - Jasmine Perry & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Petra Conti in The Nutcracker Petra Conti in The Nutcracker Petra Conti, Tigran Sargsyan & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with James Zenghhua Li & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Previous Gallery All photos by Reed Hutchinson Click on image for a fullscreen presentation. Next Gallery