Category: Ballet News

The Children’s Ballet returns with ‘Swan Lake’ at the Tobin Center

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio presents Swan Lake. Photo: The Children’s Theatre of San Antonio, used with permission.

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is set to make a splash with the production of the iconic classic ‘Swan Lake’ brought to life by the award-winning Artistic Director and Founder Vanessa Bessler. With nationally and internationally acclaimed dancers ranging in age from 3 to 21, viewers can see the future of ballet spinning into shape right before their eyes at the Tobin Center this May. Performances will be Friday, May 21 at 7p.m. and Saturday May 22 at 2p.m. and 7p.m. Tickets are available online. (Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, 2021)

‘Swan Lake’ tells the love story of Prince Siegfried and Odette, a beautiful swan princess. The fairytale comes to life with a full-length production featuring dazzling costumes custom made in Moscow, integrated multimedia scenery, and a talented array of over 140 award-winning classical dancers, gifted special needs artists, and many other exceptional young children rounding out the talented ensemble cast.

Critically acclaimed Hungarian-born principal dancer Mate Szentes will accompany the young dancers as Prince Siegfried. Known for his “bold attacks” and “glittering technique” by art critics, Szentes receives invitations to perform worldwide from Vienna to Japan. He works with world-renowned choreographers such as Ma Cong, Val Caniparoli, Mariana Oliveira, Melissa Barak, Katarzyna Skarpetowska, Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa, among many others, and danced as a company artist around the world, as well as a principal dancer for the Richmond Ballet. He is a permanent guest principal dancer with the American Contemporary Ballet and Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet. He was invited to participate in the very prestigious National Choreographers Initiative in 2016 and 2018. Since 2016 he has choreographed original works showcased in Richmond, San Diego and New Mexico.

The dancers will perform the ballet using choreography based on the revival of the production created by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov that was first staged for the Imperial Ballet in 1895 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. To add to the majesty of the production, they will be wearing beautiful, elaborate costumes created by a leading costume maker in Russia whose work can be seen at the top theatres around the world.

“Swan Lake is the most celebrated ballet in the world and one of the most challenging and beautiful to perform,” says six-time Youth America Grand Prix Outstanding Teacher Award Winner and Children’s Ballet Director Vanessa Bessler. “Many of our dancers have received scholarships and acceptance to attend the best academies in the world and gained international acclaim from the most elite competitions in ballet since they last performed Swan Lake several years ago. We can’t wait to return to the theatre and celebrate Tchaikovsky’s largest and most acclaimed masterpiece. They are ready and excited to take to the stage once again.”

The Children’s Ballet continues to enforce extensive safety protocols to include both virtual and limited capacity in-person rehearsals, screenings, masks, gloves, long sleeves, social distancing, and much more. As a result, the organization has been Covid free since reopening its doors on May 23, 2020. The Tobin Center leads the charge on safety precautions that have allowed the arts and entertainment to continue by enforcing strict safety initiatives, limited capacity, and mask mandates that exceed both federal and state requirements.

Ballet and performing arts lovers, parents, grandparents and children of all ages will not want to miss this breathtaking performance by some of San Antonio’s most prestigious rising artists.

The award-winning Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is an authentic, professional-level ballet company that produces professionally staged productions showcasing San Antonio’s most talented children. Dancers are selected by invitation or audition. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio is a nonprofit organization 501(c)3. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) seeks to inspire the pursuit of excellence and prepare children for productive and creative lives through dance by offering extensive training and performance opportunities for talented children from all backgrounds.

Children’s Ballet and Bird Bakery present ‘Children’s Nutcracker’

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio presents a feel-good virtual fundraiser for the whole family. Photo: Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, used with permission.

The holidays would not be the same without Tchaikovsky’s timeless holiday tale ‘The Nutcracker.’ This is why the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is keeping the tradition alive, but in a safe and socially distanced way with an interactive virtual fundraiser that offers fun for the entire family. It is set to take place virtually Friday, December 18 at 7p.m., and Saturday, December 19 at 2p.m. and 7p.m. and then again Friday, December 25 at 7p.m. and Saturday, December 26 at 2p.m. and 7p.m. The fairytale comes to life with a full-length production featuring dazzling costumes, multimedia integrated scenery, award-winning dancers, and a talented array of young performers (including special needs artists) in a variety of disciplines. This year’s interpretation will have a 2020 twist with masks and Zoom family gatherings integrated into the storyline.  So put on your holiday PJs, throw a log on the fire, grab a cup of cocoa, and prepare to be enchanted as Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow Queen and more, dance their way into your living room—and into your hearts. (Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, 2020)

To sweeten the tradition, Bird Bakery will be providing cookie decorating kits designed for boys and girls featuring six of their mouthwatering cookies in the shapes of ballet slippers, ballerinas and, of course, Nutcrackers, along with three tubes of their special Royal Icing in blue, pink and white for creating your culinary masterpiece. Need inspiration? The piping pros at Bird Bakery will offer a cookie decorating tutorial during intermission to guide you through the process of creating the perfect cookie. Bird will also offer sandwich platters for both children and adults that include chips and their famous Monster cookies as well as a Cupcake for a Cause topped with an iced ballet slipper from December 7-13. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this decadent dessert will go to CBSA.

Tickets for this special event start at $50 with tax-deductible sponsorship packages ranging from $100 to $10,000 depending on the package and can be purchased online where viewers can also find Bird Bakery order and pickup deadlines.  All sponsorships of $100 and up include at least one link to the showtime of choice plus a Bird Bakery cookie decorating set. Cookie decorating sets and sandwich platters are also available to purchase a la carte.

The award-winning Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is an authentic, professional-level ballet company that produces professionally staged productions showcasing San Antonio’s most talented children. Dancers are selected by invitation or audition. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio is a nonprofit organization 501(c)3 whose mission is to inspire the pursuit of excellence and prepare children for productive and creative lives through dance by offering extensive training and performance opportunities for talented children from all backgrounds.

“We are thrilled to bring the tradition of the Nutcracker home for the holidays. This year more than ever, families are searching for ways to focus on the silver linings and create memorable moments at home. We hope this interactive experience will make the holidays that much richer.” – Vanessa Bessler, CBSA Founder.