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American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive Returns to Wayne State University and the Detroit Opera House

Detroit, Michigan, June 10, 2006…Wayne State University, the Detroit Opera House and the American Ballet Theatre are pleased to announce final performance dates for the ninth annual Detroit Summer Intensive. 164 of the world’s finest young dancers, ages 12-20, began studying with the acclaimed faculty of American Ballet Theater (ABT) on June 27. Following weeks of intense training, these students will present two final performances on the grand stage of the Detroit Opera House Friday, July 21, at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

“The mission of ABT’s Summer Intensive is to cultivate a universal understanding of the art form at its highest level, emphasizing not only the importance of high quality and brilliant technique, but also dance as an expressive vehicle to create art,” said Kevin McKenzie, Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre.

Widely regarded as one of the most rewarding educational opportunities for pre-professional dancers, ABT Summer Intensives are held in five American cities. Students undergo a rigorous audition process to gain acceptance into the program, which accommodates only the most talented and dedicated students. Dancers quickly learn the validity of the term “intensive,” as they participate in a minimum of four classes daily, three dance and one lecture, which include topics ranging from dance technique in a number of styles, to yoga, physical conditioning, nutrition, choreography and acting. All courses are facilitated by the acclaimed teaching staff of American Ballet Theatre, and take place at the Detroit Opera House and the Maggie Allesee Department of Dance at Wayne State University. During the intensive, students room in dorms at Wayne State.

At the summer intensive’s completion, students participate in two professionally structured performances on the grand stage of the Detroit Opera House. These performances include works from ABT’s extensive repertoire, as well as pieces choreographed during the intensive. Final performances will be held July 21, 2006, at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., and are open to the public.

“This is always an exciting event,” said Carol Halsted, Director of Dance for the Detroit Opera House. “Not only do students get to learn from one of the most acclaimed ballet companies in the nation, dance enthusiasts get a glimpse at up-and-coming, high-level dancers, many of whom will go on to perform professionally in years to come.”

Tickets for the ABT Summer Intensive final performances at the Detroit Opera House are available at the door, prior to the performance. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and children under the age of 15.

While the intensive attracts dancers from all over the globe, from some 36 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Columbia and Italy, the 2006 Detroit program will include 16 Michigan dancers, from Bloomfield Hills, Clawson, Detroit, DeWitt, Grand Ledge, Grand Rapids, Grosse Pointe Shores, Marquette, Redford, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, West Bloomfield, Williamston and Ypsilanti.

American Ballet Theatre is recognized as one of the world’s great dance companies. Unparalleled in size, scope and outreach, ABT is considered a living national treasure. Founded in 1940, ABT set out to fulfill the mandate of artistic directors Lucia Chase and Oliver Smith; to develop a repertoire of the best ballets from the past and to encourage the creation of new works by gifted young choreographers. In its 65-year history, the company has succeeded greatly, and accomplished much more.

American Ballet Theatre has developed a repertoire, perhaps, unmatched in the history of ballet. In addition to all of the great full-length ballets of the nineteenth century, the company has commissioned works by all of the great choreographic geniuses of the 20th century: George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille and Twyla Tharp, among many others. The company resume includes artistic direction by Mikhail Baryshnikov and Jane Hermann, as well as Kevin McKenzie. The company has toured in all 50 states and more than 130 cities throughout 42 countries.

American Ballet Theatre will return to the Detroit Opera House in 2007, performing Swan Lake, accompanied by the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra, March 15-18, 2007.

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Contact

Rebekah Johnson
Communications Coordinator
(313) 237-3403
rjohnson@motopera.org

Laura Wyss
Director of Communications
(313) 237-3416
laura@motopera.org