Louisville Ballet 2024-25 season includes 'Nutcracker,' Jack Harlow & more. What to know
The Louisville Ballet is bringing a strong mix of contemporary and classical pieces for its 2024-25 season.
Last month the ballet wowed the Louisville arts community when it announced the world premiere of "502," which will be choreographed by Ching Ching Wong and set to a soundtrack of Grammy-nominated Louisville native Jack Harlow's music. The full season line-up, which was announced Thursday, includes highlights such as beloved former Louisville Ballet director Alun Jones' "Cinderella," the iconic "The Brown-Forman Nutcracker" as well as “A Time to Remember,” which commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust and World War II.
The 2024-25 season is also the first under the full direction and vision of artistic directors Harald Uwe Kern and Mikelle Bruzina, who took over following the departure of Robert Curran in July 2023.
This season will flex the scope of the dancers' talent while offering a strong variety to appeal to the Louisville Ballet’s growing audience, the directors said.
“It’s new and innovative, but that’s just ballet tradition,” Kern said. “That's what ballet companies do. We’re going forward, you cannot just do the [works] from the past. … Everything that is a classic today was brand new at one point.”
The Louisville Ballet, like many arts organizations, has struggled financially following the COVID-19 pandemic. Last summer, Louisville Ballet executive director Leslie Smart set out to raise $3 million to ensure the future of the 73-year-old company. That effort has steadily paid off, and in the past nine months, the Louisville Ballet has improved its position by $1 million, Smart said in a late March interview with The Courier Journal. The community has been incredibly supportive, and the company has nearly tripled its number of donors, who give annually, she said.
“We want to encourage the public to continue to support us and help keep our lights bright, but we're moving in the right direction,” Smart said.
The 2023 production of "The Brown-Forman Nutcracker" was the most well-attended in the show’s 14-year history, Smart said. That support boomed despite one of the ballet’s major cost-saving measures last year of performing the holiday classic without the Louisville Orchestra. The Louisville Ballet is currently seeking a bi-annual appropriation from the state, Smart said, which, if granted, could ensure live music for all of the company’s main stage productions.
“The dancers, the city, everybody feels like there's a new wind blowing, and I think the audience was curious about what's going to happen is this new leadership,” Kern said. “People are really curious, I think, so they just came out in droves, and they liked what they saw.”
Kern and Bruzina hope they’ll continue to do so this season, too.
Here’s a full look at what to expect from the Louisville Ballet in the coming year.
Louisville Ballet 2024-25 season
Subscription ticket packages for the Louisville Ballet's 2024-25 season are available at LouisvilleBallet.org. Current or new subscribers can purchase online or by calling the Louisville Ballet Box Office at 502-583-2623. Single tickets for 2024 and 2025 performances will be available at a later date.
'Shakespeare in the Park: Lady Lear'
*This is a free-to-the-public, pre-season offering in partnership with Kentucky Shakespeare.
WHAT: Louisville Ballet returns to the Kentucky Shakespeare in the Park Festival for a seventh season to present "Lady Lear" an original dance piece. This piece is inspired by Shakespeare’s "King Lear."
CREDITS: Choreography by Roger Creel and score by Scott Moor
WHEN: Aug. 7-11
WHERE: Central Park 1340 S. Fourth St.
'Studio Connections'
WHAT: This is a triple bill production set in Louisville Ballet's Studio One featuring "Napoli," "La Bayadère" and a world premiere third ballet that's yet to be named.
CREDITS: Choreography by Marius Petipa, August Bournonville, and Mikelle Bruzina
WHEN: Sept. 13-15, and Sept. 20-22
WHERE: Louisville Ballet Downtown Studios, 315 E. Main St.
'Triple Take'
WHAT: This is a triple bill production featuring three world premieres including the highly anticipated "502" with music by Louisville native Jack Harlow.
CREDITS: Choreography by Adam Hougland, Ching Ching Wong and Harald Uwe Kern
WHEN: Nov. 1-3
WHERE: The Brown Theatre, 315 W. Broadway
'The Brown-Forman Nutcracker'
WHAT: Discover unbelievable magic and unforgettable memories with a Kentucky-crafted holiday tradition. "The Brown-Forman Nutcracker" brings the classic story of Marie and her Nutcracker prince to life with delightfully local flair.
CREDITS: Choreography by Val Caniparoli. Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
WHEN: Dec. 13-24
WHERE: Whitney Hall, The Kentucky Center at 501 W. Main St.
'A Time to Remember'
WHAT: "A Time to Remember" commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust and World War II, honoring the millions of lives lost and illuminating the spirit of hope in those who survived. Featuring a live orchestra and choirs, this multi-media arts experience follows two central characters on a journey of tragic loss, resilient survival, and profound healing. This production is in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Louisville and Kentucky Opera and in memory of Minx and Sy Auerbach. This performance will mark the 30th anniversary of Louisville Ballet’s world premiere.
CREDITS: Choreography by Domy Reiter-Soffer
WHEN: Feb. 1-2
WHERE: Whitney Hall, The Kentucky Center at 501 W. Main St.
'Choreographers' Showcase'
WHAT: Step into the studio for an up-close and personal look at a mix of bold new works. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, this dynamic annual production highlights the innovation and athleticism of the artists of Louisville Ballet.
CREDITS: Choreography by Louisville Ballet Artists
WHEN: Feb. 21-23, and Feb. 28-March 2
WHERE: Louisville Ballet Downtown Studios, 315 E. Main St.
'Cinderella'
WHAT: Have a ball before the clock strikes midnight with Louisville Ballet’s glittering and hilarious version of the classic tale of love, magic, and transformation. Choreographed by Alun Jones, this dreamy and comical story of a servant turned princess is sure to delight the whole family.
CREDITS: Choreography by Alun Jones
WHEN: April 4-6
WHERE: Whitney Hall, The Kentucky Center at 501 W. Main St.
Reach reporter Maggie Menderski at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Ballet announces 2024-25 season. Here's how to get tickets
