SARATOGA SPRINGS-- The Board of Directors of Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) has announced that New York City Ballet's annual summer season at SPAC will return to two weeks in 2015. One of the world¹s foremost ballet companies, NYCB has had a residency at SPAC since the venue¹s opening season in 1966. Officials from both organizations expressed pride in the historic partnership and enthusiasm for a longer season.
"New York City Ballet has been a treasured presence on our stage every summer since SPAC's opening in 1966," said Marcia J. White, SPAC¹s President and Executive Director. "The partnership has given rise to an extraordinary dance tradition here in the Capital Region and enriched the lives of countless people who were first introduced to New York City Ballet here at SPAC. Against this backdrop, we are proud and excited to share the news that the company's 2015 season will expand to two weeks."
White noted that the expenses associated with the residency mean that fundraising and community support will remain key factors going forward. Yet, efficiencies implemented over the past two years have put both organizations in a stronger position.
"My gratitude goes out to New York City Ballet¹s Executive Director Katherine Brown and the Company¹s Board of Directors for working with us towards this goal," said White. "Just as George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein envisioned, the impact of this five-decade partnership has been profound for both of our organizations and the audiences we serve. As we move ever closer to our 50th Anniversary celebration in 2016, the magnitude of their achievements stands out along with a realization that what they started all those years ago needs our continuing support today."
In commenting on the agreement Brown said, ³as the only dance company in the world with a permanent summer home, the New York City Ballet is extraordinarily proud of its long relationship with SPAC, and we are very grateful to Marcia White and the SPAC leadership for their commitment to this residency and for making it possible for NYCB to return to a longer season in 2015.²
White extended special thanks to NYCB¹s Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins for championing the Saratoga residency, and for upholding the Company¹s artistic standards. She noted that his efforts have given SPAC audiences a ³front row seat to unparalleled excellence.²
"The New York City Ballet treasures its historic partnership with SPAC, and we are thrilled to restore our residency to two weeks for the 2015 season," said Martins. "The Company has spent nearly 50 years at SPAC, building a loyal audience in the Capital Region, and we are very grateful for their support."
New York City Ballet will kick off its 2014 Saratoga residency on Tuesday, July 8; the company will present seven performances over the course of a week concluding with the Saturday, July 12 fundraising Ballet Gala: A Tribute to Great Britain, featuring works choreographed by the British choreographers Christopher Wheeldon and Liam Scarlett, as well as George Balanchine¹s tribute to all things British, Union Jack. During the course of the 2014 season the Company will showcase a diverse repertory of 14 stunning ballets, including selected works from its spring "Festival of 21st Century Choreographers" and the SPAC premiere of Justin Peck's critically acclaimed new ballet, Everywhere We Go. The season will include classics by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins and contemporary ballets by choreographers including Peter Martins, Mauro Bigonzetti, and Angelin Preljocaj, as well as the Ballet Gala works by Scarlett and Wheeldon.
"As we prepare to launch our 2014 Season, today¹s news is a reminder of how fortunate we are to have New York City Ballet - and all of our artistic partners bringing the world¹s finest programming to our doorstep," said White. "These are opportunities to be embraced, supported and most of all, enjoyed. SPAC is America¹s summer place and we are open for business; we invite everyone to join us."
