Published January 12, 2024

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre’s 2024 Season

by Steve Trounday

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre, the resident ballet company of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, will offer another full year of classical and contemporary ballets in 2024. The three classical ballets at the Pioneer Center will be performed with the Reno Phil. The popular rock ballet will be performed at the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater at the Bartley Ranch Regional Park.

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre will begin its 2024 season with Cinderella April 13 and 14 on the Pioneer Center stage. Choreographed by A.V.A. Ballet Theatre’s artistic director, Alexander Van Alstyne, Cinderella re-staged and re-choreographed by Alexander Van Alstyne, Cinderella is the captivating story of the hopes of a lowly maid, the love of a prince, and the magic of a simple wand set to Prokofiev’s enchanting score. This classic fairytale is filled with mesmerizing dance, romance, and comedy and is fun for the entire family. 

As with all A.V.A. Ballet Theatre productions, guest principal dancers from major ballet companies such as Ballet West, San Francisco Ballet, and the Houston Ballet will perform with the large local cast of dancers. 

One of the most popular shows during Artown is A.V.A. Ballet Theatre’s rock ballet Vortex, the Ballet That Rocks. This year’s performances will be held July 19 and 20 at the beautiful Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheatre. Vortex is unique as it combines classical ballet with rock songs from today’s most popular performers. Imagine ballerinas performing grande jetés to music by Lady Gaga, Metallica, or Katy Perry. 

Vortex is a great way to see classical ballet in a different context. The lighting, sets and props are just as important as the dancing. They become part of the show. “Vortex is one of my favorite productions,” said Van Alstyne. “I can create emotions on stage that are not often seen in a classical ballet.”

Vortex is free to the public due to the generosity of several of our major sponsors. Because the ballet is free and wildly popular, it makes for some logistical challenges at the amphitheater. The fire marshal will only allow 900 people into the amphitheater. We have to give everyone attending the ballet a wristband. When we hit the 900 in attendance, we have to turn people away. Reno really does support the arts.

After the success of our Fall ballets post COVID-19, we will continue our expanded fall classical season with the beloved Alice in Wonderland. The ballet will be performed at the Pioneer Center September 21 and 22. Alice in Wonderland is the captivating story of the young girl and her adventures in Wonderland. This enchanted story is filled with mesmerizing dance, intrigue, and is fun for the entire family. 

The Reno Phil will be providing the score to this beautiful ballet. The Joseph Horovitz music alone is worth the ticket price. The first time A.V.A. Ballet Theatre performed Alice in Wonderland was in 2012 and it was filmed. The video was sent to Mr. Horovitz’s home in London, England. He sent a handwritten note to Van Alstyne saying that this interpretation of Alice in Wonderland was one of the best he had ever seen. Van Alstyne told me he cherishes the letter. Sadly, Mr. Horovitz passed away in 2022 at the age of 96.

I’ve said this many times over the years: once you’ve seen and heard a ballet performance with a live orchestra there is really no comparison to one with a recording. There is something special when you see two performing arts groups working together to entertain an audience. 

Guest principal dancers from major ballet companies in the United States will travel to Reno and dance many of the key roles in Alice in Wonderland.

Rounding out the 2024 ballet season will be the holiday favorite The Nutcracker with the Reno Phil at the Pioneer Center December 20, 21, and 22. A.V.A. Ballet Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker is the single most attended non-profit performing arts event in all of northern Nevada. Due to the popularity of this holiday classic, A.V.A. Ballet Theatre will continue to perform five shows.

The Nutcracker is the story of the young girl, Clara, and her toy nutcracker soldier. With the help of Heir Drosselmeyer, her magical uncle, Clara travels to the Land of the Sweets. While there, she sees the mysterious Arabians, charming Chinese dragon, the rambunctious children of Mother Ginger, toy soldiers, and dancing mice and their Mouse King. 

The corps de ballet dancers from A.V.A. Ballet Theatre will perform exhilarating renditions of the “Waltz of the Flowers” with the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, and a snow scene with the Snow King and Queen. By the end of the show, Clara has found her prince charming and all is well in the world. Eight guest principal dancers will grace the stage in various lead roles. Laura Jackson will be conducting the Reno Phil. Tchaikovsky’s moving score is some of the best music you will ever hear. No one ever leaves The Nutcracker without a smile on their face.

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre is once again bringing a great season of ballet to northern Nevada. Please join us at the Pioneer Center and the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater and enjoy this stunning and entertaining art form.

Steve Trounday is a board member at A.V.A. Ballet Theatre, the resident ballet company of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts.

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