BALLET DES MOINES ANNOUNCES
INTERNATIONAL SEARCH FOR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Ballet Des Moines has emerged from the tumultuous past year as a leader in the regional arts community. After a ground-breaking virtual season in partnership with Iowa PBS and a first-of-its-kind state-wide tour in the Spring of 2021, the company has built considerable momentum and community support going into the 2021-22 season.

Having recently completed a thorough strategic planning process, Ballet Des Moines has reaffirmed its identity as a unique and forward-thinking ballet company, thoughtfully programming new and existing classical and contemporary works, with a focus on sharing the stories, beauty, and diverse range of perspectives that represent our society and exemplify the power of dance as an art form. This opening represents an exciting opportunity for a motivated visionary to take a leading role in a dynamic and growing ballet institution.

Know someone interested? Share the full job description at the link below.

Nutcracker Auditions

Continuing Ballet Des Moines' tradition of bringing students from around the region to perform with Iowa's professional ballet company, we are happy to announce that Ballet Des Moines’ Nutcracker is growing this season and will be performed over two weeks at two venues. Details are as follows:

Auditions will be announced in July and held in August.

Rehearsals will begin in September and will take place at the Ballet Des Moines studios.

Performances will take place at Hoyt Sherman Place and the Staplin Performing Arts Center between Dec 9-19.

More information will be shared as planning progresses this summer.

Peter and the Wolf in Des Moines Public Schools

Last fall, Ballet Des Moines partnered with Iowa PBS and Civic Music Association to bring a brand new production of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf to life, specifically created for school-aged children. With thousands of students attending school virtually, this exciting project allowed young learners to experience rich artistic programming from the classroom or at home, completely free and accessible across multiple platforms. In addition to the performance, online teacher resources were developed to accompany the performance, including behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with dancers and musicians.

In a school district with 76% of students receiving free and reduced lunch, the opportunity to offer access to the arts exemplifies the mission of Ballet Des Moines, to enrich lives through inspiring dance performances, inclusive education and outreach programs, and innovative community partnerships.

“Thank you again for your staggering support of Des Moines Public Schools during this Pandemic. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your flexibility and commitment to providing incredible opportunities for our students”

- Kelly Schnackenberg
Fine & Performing Arts Curriculum Coordinator
Des Moines Public Schools

American Ballet Theatre at Hancher Auditorium July 4

The wonderful dancers of American Ballet Theatre are hopping on a bus and touring America—and they’ll stop at Hancher on the Fourth of July!

The evening’s 50-minute show will be performed without an intermission. Repertory for ABT Across America will feature Lauren Lovette’s La Follia Variations, a work for eight dancers set to music by Francesco Geminiani, Jessica Lang’s Let Me Sing Forevermore, a pas deux blending ballet and jazz vocabulary set to songs sung by Tony Bennett, Darrell Grand Moultrie’s Indestructible Light, a celebration of American jazz, and a classical pas de deux from ABT’s extensive repertoire.

Get your tickets now and then gather up your friends and family (and lawn chairs!) for a performance you’ll never forget by one of the world’s greatest ballet companies.

Did you know that for as little as $5,000, you could sponsor our company of dancers for one week? That’s roughly $400 a month or less than $100 a week. Let us help you find the level of support that’s right for you. No gift is too small to help support the arts.