Joffery Ballet Dancer, Acclaimed Costume Designer Highlight UGA Ballet Ensemble Production

A performance by featured guest dancer Patrick Simonella of the internationally acclaimed Joffery Ballet of Chicago and fabulous costuming by Canadian designer Evan K. Ayotte highlighted the University of Georgia Ballet Ensemble's production of La Bayadere's Kingdom of the Shades and The Betrothal Celebration April 22-25.

La Bayadere, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa in 1877, presented in newly designed classical regalia created by Ayotte who has provided costume direction to major international ballet companies as well as theatre and opera companies and feature films. His work with the UGA Ballet Ensemble is being funded by the UGA Office of the Vice President of Research.

Other works presented on the program include Sonata in E flat major, Opus 27 created by 1998 UGA Center for Humanities and Arts guest artist Marjorie Mussman, Bacharena, choreographed by UGA Ballet Ensemble director Joan Buttram, Panis Angelicas created by UGA Center for Humanities and Arts visiting artist Charles Flachs and Prelude to Sunrise choreographed by Er Dong Hu.

Performances were held at the New Dance Theatre, located at the UGA department of dance in the 1928 wing of the former women's physical education building on east campus.

For more information, please contact the UGA department of dance at 542-4415 or the Tate Student Center box office at 542-8074.

Writer: Michael Childs, 706/542-5889, mchilds@coe.uga.edu
Contact: Joan Buttram, 706/542-4432, jbuttram@coe.uga.edu