Vision of Charlotte Ballet

Charlotte Ballet’s mission is to provide artistically excellent programming to diverse audiences in its home city of Charlotte, the Southeast region, and to the varied communities it serves while on tour across the nation. Charlotte Ballet has received critical recognition nationally for excellence in programming, education and outreach, and dance training.

Charlotte Ballet is a Charlotte-based, world class repertory dance ensemble. It performs classic, contemporary and cutting-edge dance with virtuosity, energy, and artistic excellence for local, statewide and national audiences. Charlotte Ballet’s collective talents provide the opportunity and give us the responsibility to challenge, stimulate, educate, entertain, and thereby enrich our audiences.

Our History

1970s-1980s

70s80s

1970

Robert Lindgren, Dean of Dance at Winston-Salem’s North Carolina School of the Arts, founds North Carolina Dance Theatre.

1981

Gian Carlo Menotti invites the company to perform at the Spoleto Festival U.S.A. & Spoletto, Italy. Both programs earn rave reviews.

1982

National Endowment for the Arts names NC Dance Theatre the nation’s highest rated touring company.

1984

NC Dance Theatre debuts its first fully self-produced full-length ballet, Norbert Vesak’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

1985

Salvatore Aiello becomes Artistic Director.

1990s

90s

1990

Aiello moves the company to Charlotte realizing his dream of support for a new Nutcracker and a school. Jerri Kumery joins as répétiteur.

1993

NC Dance Theatre begins receiving ongoing support from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Arts & Science Council and opens official school. Aiello creates Rite of Spring.

1995

The company returns to Spoleto Festival U.S.A. then suffers tragic loss of Artistic Director Salvatore Aiello.

1996

Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride arrive as artistic director and co-associate artistic director.

1999

Arts & Science Council awards the company the coveted “Advancement of Excellence Grant” based on quality of professional programming, artistic vision and ability to make the strongest artistic advancement.

2000s

2000s

2000

Bonnefoux creates a second company of professional dancers – NC Dance Theatre 2.

2004

Bonnefoux and company return to Joyce Theater where his Shindig earns The New York Times praise “lickety-split technique.”

2006

Dwight Rhoden, co-director and founder of Complexions Dance Company, becomes resident choreographer of NC Dance Theatre.

2007

NC Dance Theatre was chosen to participate in the North Carolina Arts Council’s cARTwheels program – an art touring program for elementary school children in rural counties.

2008

Bonnefoux and McBride receive lifetime achievement awards from The Arts & Science Council of Charlotte, N.C. This inaugural ASC Honors program recognized creative individuals in the areas of science, literature, history, design, visual or the performing arts.

2009

On April 22, 2009, NC Dance Theatre broke ground on its new 34,000 square foot facility. Hugh McColl Jr. announced the new facility, located at 701 North Tryon Street, would be named the Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance.

2010-2014

present_day

2010

The company was as one of only nine selected to perform at the Kennedy Center’s Ballet Across America. NC Dance Theatre received standing ovations from the audiences and rave reviews from critics for Bonnefoux’s Shindig.

2012

After a successful dance career that included eight seasons with Dance Theatre, Sasha Janes was named the company’s Associate Artistic Director.

2013

Founder Robert Lindgren passes at his home in Winston-Salem, NC. He was 89.

2013

The company is selected to perform Sasha Janes’ Rhapsodic Dances at the Kennedy Center’s Ballet Across America III. The Washington Post called Janes “a choreographer to watch.”

2014

The Knight Foundation awards Dance Theatre a $1.1 million grant. Of the grant, $1 million would be dedicated to funding contemporary ballets and masterworks while $100,000 was set to support the company’s dancers.

2014

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts names Associate Artistic Director Patricia McBride a Kennedy Center Honoree.  McBride was honored at the 37th annual national celebration of the arts along with singer Al Green, actor and filmmaker Tom Hanks, singer-songwriter Sting and comedienne Lily Tomlin.

2014

North Carolina Dance Theatre becomes Charlotte Ballet.

2015-Present

2015-present-day-history

2015

The company performs Nutcracker at the Charleston Gaillard Center beginning a relationship designed to bring professional ballet to Charleston, SC.

2016

Charlotte Ballet receive $1 million gift from the McColl Family in honor of Jane Spratt McColl to support the creation of new sets and costumes for Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s Nutcracker.

2017

Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux retires after 20 years of leadership.

2017

Hope Muir becomes the fourth Artistic Director of Charlotte Ballet.

2017

The company performs Ohad Naharin’s Minus 16 at American Dance Festival to kick off the festival’s 40th year.

Performance History

Charlotte Ballet has built a versatile and diverse repertoire ranging from full-length classical ballets to innovative contemporary works. Here is a sampling of the Company’s performance history dating back to the 2002/2003 Season.

2016-2017

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere

Location
The Groove Dwight Rhoden World Premiere October 25, 2012
Minus 16 Ohad Naharin Company Primere, Oct 22, 2016
Nutcracker Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere December 3, 2016
Utopia Sasha Janes World Premiere Jan. 27, 2016
Gemini Sarah Hayes Harkins World Premiere Nov. 18, 2016
Ever After Mark Diamond World Premiere Nov. 18, 2016
Flamouria David Ingram World Premiere Nov. 18, 2016
Hallelujah Sasha Janes World Premiere Feb. 11, 2016
Sleeping Beauty Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere March 8, 2012
Wuthering Heights Sasha Janes World Premiere April 27, 2017
Angels in the Architecture Mark Godden Charlotre Premiere April 23, 2015
Ave Maria Dwight Rhoden NCDT Premiere Nov.1,2008
Transformation Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Quentin Talley World Premiere January 23, 2014
Lascia la Spina, Cogli la Rosa Sasha janes World Premiere Nov.1, 2008
Rubies George Balanchine Company Premiere 1996-1997; Choreographed in 1967 for Patricia McBride and Edward Villella
Sechs Tanza Jiri Kylian

2015-2016

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere
Forgotten Land Jiri Kylian Company Premiere 2013-2014.
Shindig Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux NCDT Premiere Sept.18, 2003
The Four Seasons Sasha Janes World Premiere Oct. 15, 2015
Nutcracker Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere December 17, 2006
Ballad Unto Dwight Rhoden Charlotte Premiere
Omologia David Ingram Charlotte Primere
Yamato Mark Diamond Charlotte Premiere
Sketches from Grace Sasha Janes World Premiere Feb. 11, 2016
The Little Mermaid Mark Diamond World Premiere May 17, 2008
We Danced Through Life Sasha Janes Charlotte Premiere January 30, 2015
Who Cares? George Balanchine Company Premiere 1997-1998
Boo Doo Wah Dwight Rhoden World Premiere April 28. 2016

2014-2015

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere
Dangerous Liaisons Sasha Janes World Premiere October 17, 2013
Nutcracker Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere December 17, 2006
PÍSO STO MIDÉN David Ingram World Premiere January 30, 2015
Path Mark Diamond World Premiere January 30, 2015
Peace Piece Dwight Rhoden World Premiere January 30, 2015
The Seed and the Soil Sasha Janes World Premiere January 30, 2015
We Danced Through Life Sasha Janes  Charlotte Ballet Premiere January 30, 2015
Peter Pan Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux  Charlotte Ballet Premiere May 6, 2004
Danses Brillantes Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux  Charlotte Ballet Premiere September 22, 2005
Angels in the Architecture Mark Godden  Charlotte Ballet Premiere April 23, 2015
Spun to the Sky Dwight Rhoden World Premiere April 23, 2015

2013-2014

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere
Carmen Sasha Janes World Premiere October 17, 2013
Nutcracker Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere December 17, 2006
Contrast Mark Diamond World Premiere January 23, 2014
Chaconne Sasha Janes World Premiere January 23, 2014
Transformation Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere January 23, 2014
Sit In Stand Out Dwight Rhoden World Premiere January 23, 2014
Cinderella Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere September 27, 2001
Othello Dwight Rhoden World Premiere May 14, 2009

2012-2013

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere
Blue Danube Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere October 25, 2012
Shelter Sasha Janes World Premiere October 25, 2012
The Groove Dwight Rhoden World Premiere October 25, 2012
Nutcracker Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere December 17, 2006
Gateways Dwight Rhoden World Premiere January 24, 2013
Queen Sasha Janes NC Dance Theatre Premiere January 24, 2013
At First Sight Sasha Janes World Premiere January 24, 2013
Zokusuru Mark Diamond World Premiere March 24, 1999
Alternate Paths Mark Diamond World Premiere January 24, 2013
Peter Pan Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux NC Dance Theatre Premiere May 6, 2004
Rhapsodic Dances Sasha Janes Premiere October 13, 2011
L’heure Bleue Jiri Bubenicek Premiere April 25, 2013
The Golden Section Twyla Tharp NC Dance Theatre Premiere April 28, 201

2011-2012

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere
Rhapsodic Dances Sasha Janes Premiere October 13, 2011
Bolero Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere February 28, 2008
In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated William Forsythe NC Dance Theatre Premiere May 5, 2000
I David Ingram Premiere November 3, 2011
How Do I Love Thee Mark Diamond Premiere November 3, 2011
Last Lost Chance Sasha Janes Premiere November 3, 2011
Alleged Dances Dwight Rhoden World Premiere February 23, 2006
Nutcracker Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere December 17, 2006
Sleeping Beauty Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere March 8, 2012
Artifice Dwight Rhoden NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 20, 2007
Dangerous Liaisons Sasha Janes World Premiere April 26, 2012

2010-2011

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere
Dracula Mark Godden NC Dance Theatre Premiere October 8, 2010
Trick ’r Treat Mark Diamond World Premiere October 16, 2010
Higher Consciousness Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 18, 2003
Kinetic Energy Sasha Janes NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 11, 2010
Time Is Of The Essence,
(Save  the World)		 Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 11, 2010
Arson David Ingram World Premiere November 11, 2010
Tree Hugger Sasha Janes NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 11, 2010
Spill Dwight Rhoden World Premiere November 11, 2010
Runway (Recycle) Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 11, 2010
Nutcracker Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere December 17, 2006
Le soufflé de l’esprit Jiri Bubenicek NC Dance Theatre Premiere March 10, 2011
Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere January 8, 2010
Satto Salvatore Aiello 1984-1985 Season
Reflections of… Dwight Rhoden World Premiere March 10, 2011
The Little Mermaid Mark Diamond World Premiere May 17, 2008
Outflow Boundary Emery LeCrone World Premiere April 28, 2011
Requiem 9. 11 Jacqulyn Buglisi NC Dance Theatre Premiere April 28, 2011
The Golden Section Twyla Tharp NC Dance Theatre Premiere April 28, 2011

2009-2010

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere
Nine Sinatra Songs Twyla Tharp NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 20, 2007
Map Alonzo King World Premiere March 25, 1998
Shindig Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 18, 2003
Once Upon a Time Mark Diamond World Premiere September 19, 2009
Moody Booty Blues Dwight Rhoden World Premiere November 2, 2006
Tearing For a Cure Uri Sands World Premiere November 9, 2005
There Again, Not Slowly Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 13, 2003
Matisse Mark Diamond World Premiere November 7, 2009
Glass Houses Sasha Janes World Premiere November 7, 2009
Nutcracker Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere December 17, 2006
At Knight Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere January 8, 2010
Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere January 8, 2010
Lascia La Spina, Cogli la Rosa Sasha Janes World Premiere November 1, 2008
Cinderella Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere September 27, 2001
Apollo George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere August 5, 2009
Constructing Juliet Mark Godden World Premiere September 19, 2002
Broken Fantasy Dwight Rhoden World Premiere May 13, 2010

2008-2009

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere
Raymonda Variations George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 18, 2008
La Sonnambula George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 18, 2008
The Four Temperaments George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere October 2, 1998
The Carnival of Animals Mark Diamond World Premiere September 20, 2008
Peter and the Wolf Mark Diamond World Premiere September 20, 2008
You’re So Fine Sasha Janes NC Dance Theatre Premiere October 30, 2008
Constructing Juliet Mark Godden World Premiere September 19, 2002
Uhh! Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere October 30, 2008
The Chair Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere October 30, 2008
Verge Dwight Rhoden World Premiere February 8, 2002
Nutcracker Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere December 17, 2006
Immortal Design Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere March 5, 2009
Dirty Truth and Pretty Lies Dwight Rhoden World Premiere March 5, 2009
Spellbound by Beauty Nicolo Fonte World Premiere March 5, 2009
Othello Dwight Rhoden World Premiere May 14, 2009

2007-2008

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere
Night Creature Alvin Ailey NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 20, 2007
Nine Sinatra Songs Twyla Tharp NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 20, 2007
Artifice Dwight Rhoden NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 20, 2007
Beauty and The Beast Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 22, 2007
Na Floresta Nacho Duato NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 1, 2008
Endless Now Mark Diamond World Premiere November 1, 2007
The Neighbors Uri Sands World Premiere November 1, 2007
Lascia la Spina, Cogli la Rosa Sasha Janes NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 1, 2008
Choke Dwight Rhoden NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 1, 2008
Ave Maria Dwight Rhoden NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 1, 2008
Nutcracker Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere December 17, 2006
Momentary Forevers Dwight Rhoden World Premiere February 28, 2008
Who Cares? George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere October 3, 1997
Bolero Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere February 28, 2008
Romeo and Juliet Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere May 15, 2008
The Little Mermaid Mark Diamond World Premiere May 17, 2008

2006-2007

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere
Cinderella Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere September 27, 2001
Tantrum Dwight Rhoden World Premiere September 28, 2006
Aqua Terra Flora Mark Diamond World Premiere November 2, 2006
Cycles Daniel Gwirtzman NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 2, 2006
Moody Booty Blues Dwight Rhoden World Premiere November 2, 2006
you/me/we Septime Webre World Premiere November 2, 2006
Seed Heather Ferranti Ferguson World Premiere November 2, 2006
Nutcracker Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere December 17, 2006
Rubies George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere October 24, 1996
Na Floresta Nacho Duato NC Dance Theatre Premiere March 8, 2007
Set Rise Fall Dwight Rhoden NC Dance Theatre Premiere March 8, 2007
All In Your Trunk Uri Sands NC Dance Theatre Premiere May 17, 2007
SALT Alonzo King NC Dance Theatre Premiere May 17, 2007
City South Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere May 17, 2007

2005-2006

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere
Swan Lake Marius Petipa NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 22, 2005
Sleeping Beauty Marius Petipa NC Dance Theatre Premiere May 7, 1999
Romeo and Juliet Septime Webre NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 22, 2005
Serenade George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere May 8, 1998
Danse Brillante Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 22, 2005
SATTO (Wind Dance) Salvatore Aiello 1984-1985 Season
Watch That Dog Michael Vernon NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 9, 2005
City South Mark Diamond World Premiere November 9, 2005
Tearing for a Cure Uri Sands World Premiere November 9, 2005
In Voice and Light Mary Hudetz World Premiere November 9, 2005
Nocturnes Mark Godden World Premiere November 9, 2005
Nutcracker Salvatore Aiello World Premiere December 1992
Alleged Dances Dwight Rhoden World Premiere February 23, 2006
Carmina Burana Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere May 10, 2002
Snow White Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere February25 ,2006
The River Alvin Ailey NC Dance Theatre Premiere January 30, 2003
Fancy Free Jerome Robbins NC Dance Theatre Premiere May 4, 2006
Stravinsky Violin Concerto George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere May 4, 2006

2004-2005

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere
Divertimento No. 15 George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 23,2004
Divining Grace Mark Godden NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 23,2004
Beatle Juice Dwight Rhoden NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 23,2004
Nutcracker Sal Aiello World Premiere December 1992
Word’s Edge Mary Hudetz NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 11, 2004
American Folk Daryl Grey NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 11 ,2004
Work XX11: Sweet Tea Uri Sands NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 11, 2004
I’M With You Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 11, 2004
Rushing Angels Septime Weber NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 11, 2004
There Again, Not Slowly Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 13, 2003
Yes Virginia, Another Piano Ballet Peter Anastos NC Dance Theatre Premiere February 24, 2005
Ménage a Quatre Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 13, 2003
Brave! Nicolo Fonte World Premiere September 18, 2003
Salt Alonzo King World Premiere May 5, 2005

2003-2004

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere
The River Alvin Ailey NC Dance Theatre Premiere January 30, 2003
Brave Nicolo Fonte World Premiere September 18, 2003
Shindig Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux NC Dance Theatre Premiere September 18, 2003
Map Alonzo King World Premiere March 25, 1998
There Again, Not Slowly Mark Diamond NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 13, 2003
Work XIX: Shapes & Gates Uri sands NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 13, 2003
Beyond Breath Darrell Moultrie NC Dance Theatre Premiere November 13, 2003
Nutcracker Salvatore Aiello World Premiere December 1992
Agon George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere March 4, 2004
Stars and Stripes George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere March 4, 2004
A Midsummer Night’s dream George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere March 4, 2004
Peter Pan Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux NC Dance Theatre Premiere May 6, 2004

2002-2003

Ballets

Choreographer

Premiere
The Four Temperaments George Balanchine NC Dance Theatre Premiere October 2, 1998
Constructing Juliet Mark Godden World Premiere September 19, 2002
Spoken In Red Nicolo Fonte USA Premiere September 19, 2002
Nutcracker Salvatore Aiello World Premiere December 1992
They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Mark Diamond World Premiere January 30, 2003
Chants Alonzo King World Premiere February 26, 1999
The River Salvatore Aiello NC Dance Theatre Premiere January 30, 2003
Afternoon of a Faun Salvatore Aiello NC Dance Theatre Premiere April 3, 2003
Couch Potatoes Heather Maloy World Premiere April 2, 2003
Ne Me Quitte Pas Uri Sands NC Dance Theatre Premiere April 3, 2003
So I May Say Donlin Foreman NC Dance Theatre Premiere April 2, 2003
Flow Form Jason Jacobs World Premiere April 2, 2003
Work XV Uri Sands NC Dance Theatre Premiere April 3, 2003
Beyond Oneself Mark Diamond World Premiere April 2, 2003
Tango Alonzo King NC Dance Theatre Premiere February 8, 2002
Cloven Kingdom Paul Taylor NC Dance Theatre Premiere April 3, 2003
Cinderella Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux World Premiere September 27, 2001
Verge Dwight Rhoden World Premiere May 8, 2003