Butler Ballet Performances
Butler Ballet, the performance component of the program, is
modeled after a professional company. Butler Ballet performs the
classics because they are the foundation of the department's
philosophy and training. Being central to artistic development,
students learn historically and technically while performing
lengthy 19th century grand ballets such as The Nutcracker,
Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty,
Coppélia, Cinderella or Giselle.
The department of dance recognizes that versatility is essential
to the work of a professional dancer. Butler Ballet contributes to
that training by performing licensed and commissioned choreographic
works along with original works by the faculty. Recent masterpieces
performed by the Butler Ballet include George Balanchine's
Serenade and Paul Taylor's Cloven Kingdom and
students have experienced the creative process with such masters as
James Kudelka and Stephen Mills.
Butler Chamber Dance
Butler Chamber Dance is designed to perform contemporary
choreography created by the dance faculty. The production may be
collaborative, experimental and informal versus the main stage
productions of Butler Ballet. Projects may include collaborations
with other University programs, professional companies or other
performance-based artists.