NEWS

The 2021-2022 season continues with incredible performances sure to delight

Ballet Pensacola’s 2021-2022 season started off with a bang in October with Dracula, and it continued on to the festive and favorite performance of The Nutcracker in December. Here, the Pensacola Ballet shares what to expect the rest of the season.

Q: The Nutcracker was, of course, an incredible performance. What’s coming up next?

A: Our next big performance will be in the spring when we perform The Wizard of Oz. It’s going to be April 22-24 and April 29-May 1 at the Pensacola Cultural Center, and we’re really excited about it. We will be partnering with the University of West Florida’s costume department, and it’s a really big deal for us.

Q: Because of the uncertainty around COVID-19, Ballet Pensacola scheduled a smaller season than normal. With the extra time available, what else will be going on?

A: We’re going to take that time before the big performance in April to get back into the schools and focus on educational programming. We are excited about getting back into the schools because we were out for the entire year prior because of the pandemic. We like to take our dancers to the schools and teach the students about dance and what it takes to become a dancer, as well as let our dancers talk about what they do on a regular basis and how they prepare for roles. We also talk about our Academy and how it prepares dancers to become professionals.

Q: Do you go into schools all around the area? What are the responses from the children?

A: Yes, we cover Escambia County, as well as Santa Rosa quite frequently and even into Gulf Breeze sometimes. The kids enjoy it, especially the demonstrations. This year we’re hoping to break them into smaller groups so kids can be more interactive.

Q: Any other upcoming events patrons need to put on their calendar?

A: In May we will have our Showcase, which is a performance by our upper-level Academy students. They actually create their own performance and do everything for it—from the marketing and publicity to the choreography and production—so that they can learn all about what it takes to fulfill all of these roles. All Academy students perform in the Showcase, and the event is to allow them to showcase the abilities they learned throughout the year.

Q: Are there any opportunities for those interested in ballet to get involved?

A: We will host camps again over the summer, as well as summer intensives. The summer camps are ideal for younger students, and the summer intensives are meant for older students in higher technical levels. Our programs range in age groups, from three years old up through high school, and they are great ways to learn more about ballet.