VOICES AND VISIONS: THE ALTRIA - ABT WOMEN’S CHOREOGRAPHY PROJECT

VOICES AND VISIONS: THE ALTRIA - ABT WOMEN’S CHOREOGRAPHY PROJECT

Choreographic Initiative to Support New Commissions for ABT II and

Mentoring Workshops for ABT Dancers





In an effort to identify and nurture female choreographers, American Ballet Theatre and Altria Group, Inc. have launched Voices and Visions: The Altria/ABT Women’s Choreography Project. This multi-year project, generously funded by Altria Group, Inc., will include annual commissions by emerging female choreographers, as well as a series of training and mentoring workshops open to female members of ABT and ABT II. The Altria/ABT Women’s Choreography Project was announced today by ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie.

Altria/ABT Choreography Fellows: An emerging female choreographer will be chosen annually as the Altria/ABT Choreography Fellow to create a new work for ABT II. Under the Altria/ABT Choreography Fellows program, these newly commissioned works, one each year for three years (2008-2010), will be performed in New York City and at ABT II’s tour venues. Under the leadership of Wes Chapman, ABT II, an ensemble of 13 pre-professional dancers, ages 16-20, maintains an extensive touring schedule, performing in smaller venues worldwide and throughout the United States. In addition, ABT II participates in residencies and outreach programs at schools and universities nationwide. To date, nearly 50 members of ABT’s current roster, including some Principals and Soloists, began their careers with ABT II.

Choreographer Aszure Barton is the inaugural Altria/ABT Choreography Fellow for 2008. Barton’s Barbara, the first work produced for the Altria/ABT Women’s
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Choreography Project, was created at the White Oak Plantation in Yulee, Florida. Barbara will be given its World Premiere by ABT II on April 17 at the American Dance Institute in Rockville, Maryland and will receive its New York Premiere at The Joyce Theater’s 1.2.3. Festival on May 9.

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