Ballet Fantastique

Ballet Fantastique
Industry	Performance dance, Education
Founded	2000
Headquarters	Eugene, Oregon
Area served	Pacific Northwest
Key people	Donna and Hannah Bontrager
Website	www.balletfantastique.org

Ballet Fantastique is a 501(c)3 nonprofit chamber ballet company based in Eugene, Oregon, and co-directed by mother-daughter team Donna and Hannah Bontrager. Ballet Fantastique was founded in October 2000 and currently has three components: A professional chamber ballet company, a pre-professional academy in the Russian Vaganova method of training, and a busy outreach wing (bringing dance to a range of audiences both in-school and in-theater). Ballet Fantastique became a resident company at Eugene's Hult Center for the Performing Arts in June 2014.

Chamber Company

The Ballet Fantastique contemporary chamber company is directed by mother-daughter choreographer-producers Donna Marisa and Hannah Bontrager and composed of 7-12 professional artists. The company fields auditions from dancers across the US.^[1] Since 2003, the company has presented all-original contemporary ballet productions each season at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts. Ballet Fantastique also tours, and has performed with Ballet Rogue in Medford, Oregon,^[2] at the internationally recognized Oregon Shakespeare Festival^[3] in Ashland, Oregon, and at the Lincoln Performance Hall in downtown Portland, Oregon,^[4] to name just a few. The company has been called a "bold, cross-disciplinary dance company" by Dante Zuniga-West of the Eugene Weekly (2011).^[5] According to Portland Center Stage Reviews, Ballet Fantastique has "made a name for itself in out-of-the-box revisions of classic story ballets."^[6]

Ballet Fantastique concerts often feature collaborations with live artists and musicians.^[7] Projections of local gallery paintings were used as backdrops for the performance Danse en Rouge: Variations in Red at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, which also included the Trio Voronezh and classical guitarist John Jarvie.^[8] In 2009, Ballet Fantastique collaborated with composer Jeremy Schropp and a 25-part orchestra in Visions d’Amour: 10 Ballets in Paris for the world premiere of his ballet inspired by Vincent van Gogh, “Night at the Café Terrace." Other notable collaborations include the Oregon Mozart Players,^[9] the Karin Clarke Gallery,^[10] the Eugene Symphony,^[11] Shelley and Cal James and their Agents of Unity Band for Cinderella: A Rock Opera Ballet,^[12] and the LA-based band Incendio.^[13]

Academy of Ballet Fantastique

The Academy of Ballet Fantastique teaches ballet classes for dancers ages 4–24, and also offers a separate Adult Ballet Program. The academy admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

In the Professional Training Division, dancers age 9 and up study the Vaganova Method of training in limited class sizes of six students or fewer. Artistic Director Donna Marisa Bontrager works directly with every Professional Division student in his or her training.^[14]

The Young Dancer Program at The Academy of Ballet Fantastique is for dancers age 4-8, and follows a progressive training approach as well, while introducing young children to creative movement, music education, and fundamentals of ballet.

Students participate in professional performances with the company, and may audition for company positions and apprenticeships upon graduation. Academy of Ballet Fantastique coaches are experienced in the Vaganova method of training as well as in pedagogy and professional performance.

Outreach

Ballet Fantastique’s busy outreach programming includes scholarships for dancers in financial need, free tickets for youth to attend concerts, in-school integrated arts residencies,^[15] and school assembly performances.^[16]

History

Ballet Fantastique became an Oregon non-profit in 2003 and earned 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 2006.^[17] The organization was established to bring dance training, performance opportunities and performances to the Lane County area. The company's first performance at the Hult Center was Danse Renaissance in June 2003. On October 30, 2010, Ballet Fantastique opened its highly visible City Center for Dance at 960 Oak Street, funded largely by a grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust.^[18]

Company repertoire

Selected list of new works created and choreographed by Donna and Hannah Bontrager for Ballet Fantastique:

Title	Music	Premiere
The Odyssey: The Ballet	Original live looping violin by Cullen Vance	February 27-March 1, 2015
An American Christmas Carol	Halie Loren, singing original arrangements of 1940s holiday jazz standards	December 12–14, 2014
The Book of Esther: A Rock Gospel Ballet	UO Gospel Singers	May 9–11, 2014
Tales from the Floating World	Original music by Portland Taiko and Mitsuki Dazai	February 7–9, 2014
Zorro: The Ballet	Original music by Incendio, the Latin world guitar fusion band from L.A, and virtuoso violinist Kim Angelis	October 17–19, 2013
Pride and Prejudice: A Parisian Jazz Ballet	Gerry Rempel Jazz Syndicate	May 4–5, 2013
The Misadventures of Casanova	Antonio Vivaldi, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Jean-Baptiste de Lully, Johann Sebastian Bach	February 2–3, 2013
Cirque de la Lune	Original music, played live by Betty & the Boy, Troupe Carnivale, and Mood Area 52	October 20–21, 2012
Cinderella: A Rock Opera Ballet	Hits from the 1960s, played live by Shelley & Cal James and the Agents of Unity	May 12–13, 2012
Arabian Nights	Traditional music	January 28, 2012
Tango Para Abel, St. Margaret's Tears, Illumination, Misterioso, Magie Noire, Viheula, and Jaco y Paco	Incendio, the Latin world guitar fusion band from L.A.	October 22, 2011
As You Like It: A Wild West Ballet (full-length ballet; two acts with prologue)	Aaron Copland, Hershy Kay, George Gershwin, Jacques Offenbach, Leroy Anderson, John Philip Sousa, Ferde Grofé, traditional saloon music, and original compositions for honkytonk piano by Jeremy DeKyle Schropp	April 16, 2011
Tango Forte	Dublex Inc.	January 29, 2011
Sunday Table	Pink Martini	January 29, 2011
Libertango	Astor Piazzolla	January 29, 2011
Gaucho, De Ushuaia a la Quiaca, Pampa	Gustavo Santaolalla	January 29, 2011
Juan Loco	Rodrigo y Gabriela	January 29, 2011
Jongo--No. 3 Suite Brasileira	Lorenzo Fernandez	January 29, 2011
Cinquenta Anos de Soledad	Original score Charles Gurke	January 29, 2011
Dime Amor	Enrique Cardenas, arranged and sung by Jessie Marquez	January 29, 2011
Mi Confesion	Gotan Project	January 29, 2011
Girl from Ipanema	Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto	January 29, 2011
Folk Suite	Traditional Irish and Celtic folk medleys	November 20, 2010
Desperation, Obsession, and Passion	John Corigliano, music from The Red Violin, with art by Adam Grosowsky from the Karin Clarke Gallery, suite of variations	November 20, 2010
Orion	Metallica, played by the Scorched Earth Orchestra	November 20, 2010
Bulgarska Tantsova Suita	Original score Jeremy DeKyle Schropp, suite of variations	November 20, 2010
Christmas Adagio	Concerto Grosso in G Major, Op. 6, No. 8, Arcangelo Corelli	November 20, 2010
Tales of Beatrix Potter (one-act ballet)	John Lanchbery	April 30, 2010
Love at the Cafe Terrace (25-minute ballet)	An original score (world premiere) by Eugene-based composer Jeremy DeKyle Schropp, with art by Rob Adams	2009
Pourquoi me Reveiller, Je Crois Entendre Encore, Song to the Moon, Apres un Reve	Jules Massenet, from the opera Werther; Georges Bizet, from the opera The Pearl Fishers; Antonín Dvořák, from the opera Rusalka; Gabriel Fauré	2009
La Vie en Rose, Je Suis une Enfant, Milord, Ma Jeunesse, Ta Tienne	Edith Piaf; Carla Bruni	2009
Lagrima and Adelita	Guitar meditations with classical guitarist John Jarvie	2009
Argentinian Dance and Besame Mucho	Trio Voronezh	2009
Russian Ragtime, Waltz for Nicky and Strauss Polka	Trio Voronezh, suite of variations	2009
New York Tango	Trio Voronezh	2009
Breakfast at Tiffany's	Henry Mancini, Suite of variations	2008
Carnival of the Animals	Commissioned by Eugene Symphony	2008
Four Novelettes	Commissioned by and performed with the Oregon Mozart Players	2008
Daphnis and Chloe	Commissioned by Eugene Symphony	2008
La Soledad	Pink Martini, with art by Adam Grosowsky from the Karin Clarke Gallery	2007
La Musica Notturna Delle Strade Di Madrid No. 6, Op. 30	Luigi Boccherini	2007 and 2010
Brazil	Pink Martini	2005
Goldilocks & the Three Bears	Hérold-Lanchbery, La Fille Mal Gardee	2005
Puss in Boots, Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf	Tchaikovsky, Petipa, The Sleeping Beauty	2005
Madama Butterfly	Giacomo Puccini	2004
The Cakewalk Ballet	Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Kay	2005
Casta Diva	Vincenzo Bellini (from the opera Norma)	2003
Handel's Water Music	George Frideric Handel	2003
Chopin Waltzes	Frédéric Chopin	2003

External links

www.balletfantastique.org, Ballet Fantastique Ballet Fantastique Official Website
Ballet Fantastique Facebook Fan Page
Ballet Fantastique YouTube
Ballet Fantastique Twitter

References

Dance companies in the United States

Ballet	Alabama Ballet Alameda Civic Ballet Alexandra Ballet Alonzo King LINES Ballet American Ballet Theatre American Repertory Ballet Anaheim Ballet Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Atlanta Ballet Atlanta Festival Ballet Ballet Arizona Ballet Austin Ballet Des Moines Ballet Fantastique Ballet Magnificat! Ballet Memphis BalletMet Ballet Minnesota Ballet Nebraska Ballet Nouveau Colorado Ballet Quad Cities Ballet San Jose Ballet Theatre of Maryland Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo Ballet West Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre Bay Pointe Ballet Boston Ballet California Riverside Ballet Carolina Ballet Cedar Lake Charlotte Ballet Chicago Ballet Chicago Festival Ballet Cincinnati Ballet Cleveland Ballet Colorado Ballet Complexions Concert Ballet of Virginia Dance Theatre of Harlem Dayton Ballet Eugene Ballet Folsom Lake Civic Ballet Greensboro Ballet Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Houston Ballet James Sewell Ballet Joffrey Ballet Kansas City Ballet Los Angeles Ballet Louisville Ballet Miami City Ballet Morphoses Mystic Ballet National Ballet Theater of Puerto Rico New Jersey Ballet New York City Ballet Oklahoma City Ballet Oregon Ballet Theatre Pacific Northwest Ballet Pennsylvania Ballet Pittsburgh Ballet San Francisco Ballet Suzanne Farrell Ballet Texas Ballet Theater Tulsa Ballet The Washington Ballet

Contemporary	Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater AXIS Dance Company Ballet Deviare Ballet Hispanico Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Dominic Walsh Hubbard Street Lar Lubovitch Martha Graham Momix Paul Taylor The Philadelphia Dance Company Pilobolus Ririe-Woodbury sjDANCEco Urban Bush Women Whim W'Him

Other	Ice Theatre of New York The LXD The Rockettes

Ballet companies

Africa	Cairo Opera Ballet Company Cape Town City Ballet

Asia	Ballet Manila Ballet Philippines Guangzhou Ballet Hong Kong Ballet Iranian National Ballet Company Israel Ballet K-ballet Korea National Ballet National Ballet of China Philippine Ballet Theatre Shanghai Ballet Company Singapore Dance Theatre State Ballet of Georgia Tokyo Ballet Universal Ballet

Europe	Ballet Cymru Les Ballets Persans Ballet Romand Barcelona Ballet Bayerisches Staatsballett Béjart Ballet Berlin State Ballet Birmingham Royal Ballet Bolshoi Ballet Cork City Ballet Royal Danish Ballet Donetsk Ballet Dutch National Ballet Eifman Ballet English National Ballet Finnish National Ballet Sukhishvili Georgian National Ballet Greek National Opera Hamburg Ballet Hungarian National Ballet Kiev Ballet La Scala Theatre Ballet Mariinsky Ballet Mikhailovsky Theatre Ballet National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Moldova The Monte-Carlo Ballet National Opera and Ballet of Bulgaria Northern Ballet Norwegian National Opera and Ballet Novosibirsk Theatre Ballet Original Ballet Russe Paris Opera Ballet Perm Theatre Ballet Polish National Ballet National Ballet of Portugal The Royal Ballet Rambert Dance Company Russian State Ballet of Siberia Saint Petersburg Ballet Theatre Scottish Ballet Spanish National Dance Company Stanislavski Ballet Stuttgart Ballet Royal Swedish Ballet Théâtre du Silence Turkish State Opera and Ballet

North America	Alabama Ballet Alameda Civic Ballet Alexandra Ballet Alonzo King LINES Ballet American Ballet Theatre American Repertory Ballet Anaheim Ballet Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Atlanta Ballet Atlanta Festival Ballet Ballet Arizona Ballet Austin Ballet BC Ballet Des Moines Ballet Fantastique Ballet Hispanico Ballet Magnificat! Ballet Memphis BalletMet Ballet Minnesota Ballet Nebraska Ballet Nouveau Colorado Ballet Quad Cities Ballet San Jose Ballet Theatre of Maryland Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo Ballet West Bay Pointe Ballet Boston Ballet Les Grands Ballets Canadiens California Riverside Ballet Carolina Ballet Charlotte Ballet Chicago Ballet Chicago Festival Ballet Cincinnati Ballet Cleveland Ballet Colorado Ballet Complexions Contemporary Ballet Cuban National Ballet Dance Theatre of Harlem Dayton Ballet Eugene Ballet Greensboro Ballet Houston Ballet Joffrey Ballet Kansas City Ballet Los Angeles Ballet Louisville Ballet National Ballet of Canada National Ballet Theater of Puerto Rico New Jersey Ballet New York City Ballet Oklahoma City Ballet Oregon Ballet Theatre Pacific Northwest Ballet Pennsylvania Ballet Pittsburgh Ballet San Francisco Ballet Tulsa Ballet Royal Winnipeg Ballet

Oceania	The Australian Ballet Queensland Ballet Royal New Zealand Ballet West Australian Ballet

South America	Ballet Municipal de Lima Chilean National Ballet Colon Theater Ballet Teatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro

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