The Indiana Ballet Company (IBC) thanks all the participants of its recent "Love is...." competition. The winning entries listed below will receive two free tickets to IBC's performance of "From Shakespeare with Love", featuring Tim Hardy and the Dragon Scale Consort. For more information call 317-228-1917 or visit IndianaBalletCompany.com.

IBC wishes all its friends a very happy, loving Valentine's Day.

 

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"Love is... being with the one who means the world to you, whether it's at the ballet, a game, or just relaxing on the couch."

-Kyle Carothers

 

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"Love is... a whisper in the lover's heart; the hiss of the flame that lights the dark; the enchantment that raises passion to art."

-Marita Topmiller

 

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - February 8, 2010 - For the third year of its four year existence the Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana (RBAI) was declared "Outstanding School" in the Mid-West regional portion of the world's largest pre-professional dance competition, Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). The school was proud to represent Indiana as it shared this prestigious award with another benchmark of excellence in the art world - Joffrey's Academy of Dance - last Saturday in Chicago. In a repeat of last year's stunning results, four of RBAI's five ensemble pieces won first prize, in addition to the first, second and top twelve placements bestowed on many of its student soloists. As a result of these successes RBAI students will receive the "rare distinction" (Shelly King, Regional Administrator, YAGP) to represent Indiana and the nation as they once again join three hundred of the world's finest young dancers on an international stage in New York this April.

Alyona Yakovleva, Founding Artistic Director of RBAI and the affiliated Indiana Ballet Company, has had multiple occasions to celebrate as she has observed her students, faculty and school garner awards for "Outstanding School", "Outstanding Teacher" and "Best Choreographer" over the past four years. "I am really proud of these students and my colleagues," she declares. "However, I hope Hoosiers will also take pride in, and support what is happening here. Everyone expects great things from far away places and from world-renowned institutions such as Chicago's Joffrey. But Indiana needs to realize that we have amazing talent and opportunities right here in our own backyard. This is all about Indiana's youth and future. I am just proud to be here to help, and to watch it unfold."

RBAI is the official academy of the Indiana Ballet Company. Understanding the foundational role that dance academies have historically played in the establishment of the world's greatest ballet companies, RBAI seeks to preserve an opportunity for Indiana's youth while helping to grow the art of tomorrow. Building upon a 300 years-old tradition, RBAI transfers a legacy that has produced some of the most famous ballet dancers, choreographers and teachers of all time, while equipping future citizens with strength, poise, discipline and sensitivity. For more information on its programs visit www.RBAI.biz, www.IndianaBalletCompany.com, or call 317-228-1917.

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Elizabeth Audet
Publicity and Outreach Director
Indiana Ballet Company
Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana
317/216-9539 office
317/627-8645 cell

In honor of Valentine's Day, the Indiana Ballet Company is holding a contest to find the most romantic definition of Love.

Tell us what "Love is... _________________", and you could win free tickets to the IBC Valentine's weekend performance, 'From Shakespeare with Love' in downtown Indianapolis.

Send all entries to love_is@IndianaBalletCompany.com before midnight, February 9th. Entries and the winning result will be posted on IndianaBalletCompany.com/news on February 10th.

Details about the Valentine's weekend performance, as well as online ticket sales, can be found at IndianaBalletCompany.com/tickets .

By entering, participants grant Indiana Ballet Company permission to reproduce, publish, excerpt, or quote winning entries either wholly or in part for promotional purposes, with attribution.

Tickets are on sale now for the Indiana Ballet Company's production of From Shakespeare, With Love at TicketWeb.com and through the IndianaBalletCompany.com web site.

"For revels, dances, masks and merry hours
Forerun fair Love, strewing her way with flowers."

- Love's Labour's Lost, Act IV Scene iii.

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"The Indiana Ballet Company's production of From Shakespeare with Love beautifully brought to life the passion and pathos of Shakespeare's sonnets. Ms. Yakovleva sensitively blended movement and words to create a delicate, dynamic, and richly satisfying evening of poetry and dance."

- Diane Timmerman, Professor of Theatre, Butler University

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"It is not an easy task to bring Shakespeare's language to life, even when using the spoken or written word, but to do it in dance is nothing short of pure artistry. Alyona Yakovleva has proven her abilities once again in this production of From Shakespeare with Love. Here, using the Russian style of dance -- romantic, fluid, athletic -- and in the style of "the grand ballet" of Grigorovich, Yakovleva has embodied two languages in one under her skillful direction and, in doing so, she has given Shakespeare's words a new kind of life. The words and the dance weave together seamlessly in the ebb and flow of the tide that is art."

- Dr. Terri Bourus, Professor of English Drama

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"This was a unique combination of several art-forms: ballet, the spoken word, live and recorded music. So often when such combinations are attempted, the result only reminds us why these disciplines are normally kept apart, with each contribution diminished and the whole a lot less than the sum of its parts. On this occasion, however, quite the opposite was the case. Excellently chosen sonnets were married to the telling in dance form of Shakespeare's love for the Dark Lady, the joy and pain this love brought about, and thereby presenting us with much in general on the whole subject of love between men and women, by being entirely specific. They say that in a good musical the dialogue is obliged to go into music at a certain point, because the emotions at that moment cannot be contained just by the spoken word. That is true and so it was here. The inter-weaving of all the elements always carried us forward in our emotional journey, and the result was a moving account of the subject-matter, with the different disciplines contributing to make an evening of theatre which, in this instance, was much greater than the sum of its parts, and which made for something true, moving, and entirely original."

- Tim Hardy Actor, Director, Faculty Member of the Royal Academy of Dramatic
Arts (RADA) and former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, U.K.

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February 12th, 7:30 PM
February 13th, 2:00 PM and 07:30 PM
Athenaeum Auditorium [click for map]

Adult $25
Teen/Senior/Military $20
Child $15
$2.00 surcharge if purchased at door
Single Red Rose complete with Shakespearean romantic message $5 ($1 surcharge for customized message)

For more information call 317-228-1917 or visit www.IndianaBalletCompany.com . Tickets can also be purchased through TicketWeb.com and toll-free at 866-468-3401.

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"When you dance, I wish you
A wave o'th'sea, that you might ever do
Nothing but that!"

- The Winter's Tale

January 19, 2010

Dear Friends,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Academy families, and the community at large for the tremendous support that allowed the Indiana Ballet Company, together with the Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana, to make a very significant and surprising profit on our recent production of Nutcracker.  What is even more wonderful is that we were still able to dedicate an entire performance to some of central Indiana's most precious children as a gift from our hearts to theirs.  This success could not have been achieved without your vote of confidence in who we are as artists and teachers, and the nature of our mission: to connect with community while laying the foundation for its future.

Because of that confidence, we came together as a team and achieved extraordinary things in a totally new way.  Today's success will help to propel our mission and our community to the next level. I hope you will continue to join us for that journey.

With profound thanks,

Alyona Yakovleva
Founding Artistic Director
Indiana Ballet Company
Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – December 10th, 2009 – The Indiana Ballet Company (IBC) has sold out its matinee performance of Nutcracker and is watching as ticket sales fly out the window for its remaining public performances, and profits for the production accumulate. At a time when many other arts organizations are struggling, IBC is celebrating a successful half season at the box office. Both its productions have not only made a profit for the local company, but have enabled them to conclude with a full-scale performance entirely for underserved, or seriously ill children in the local community on December 13th.

According to the new Executive Director of IBC, Lisa Burns, “We are thrilled that we are at a point where we are making this work, despite the difficult economy and the overall challenges facing the arts. It has been a year of major change, challenge and re-organization for us. However, we are living our dream of delivering high quality, original art, not only to the connoisseur, but also to the broadest scope of the community we can reach out to. We are accomplishing this by implementing creative financial strategies and cost controls. We definitely do not have the biggest budget out there, but we know how to use what is available to us to serve and connect with our own community while presenting a beautiful product of which both Indy and we can be proud. I think we are proving that there is a way for a local, resident professional ballet company to succeed in Indianapolis.”

Remaining public performances of Nutcracker will be held at the Madame Walker Theatre Center on December 11th and 12th at 7:00pm, in downtown Indianapolis with tickets ranging from $10-$20. For more information on any of the performances, call 317-228-1917 or visit www.IndianaBalletCompany.com. Tickets for public performances may also be purchased at www.ticketweb.com or by calling 866-468-3401.

The Indiana Ballet Company (IBC) was established out of the desire to serve and connect to the community while preserving an opportunity for its youth that will last for generations. As such, each of its artists has made a specific commitment to live, work and teach in Indiana, year round. Building upon a 300 year-old heritage, IBC is returning to an earlier moment in American dance history, filled with innovative experiments in delivering a truly American form of the art, and perfecting it for the 21st Century. Using drama, grace and an exquisite sensitivity to capture hearts and imaginations, the company is delivering classically based ballet that is accessible, exciting and entertaining for all.

# # #

Elizabeth Audet
Publicity and Outreach Director
Indiana Ballet Company/Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana
Office: 317-216-9539
Cell: 317-627-8645
Elizabeth@IndianaBalletCompany.com
www.rbai.biz / www.IndianaBalletCompany.com

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – November 16th, 2009 – On the afternoon of December 13th, beginning at 2:00 p.m., nine hundred of some of Indiana’s most precious children will be transported for one afternoon away from a world of tough challenges, to one filled with hope, delight and magical possibilities. The Indiana Ballet Company (IBC) and its affiliated Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana (RBAI) will provide a special performance of The Nutcracker at the historic Madame Walker Theatre Center, exclusively for children who most need its seasonal joy, yet are least likely to receive it this year: children struggling with acute distress, poverty, homelessness and terminal illness. Tickets will be distributed by various local organizations including Gary Bracket’s Impact Foundation, Child Advocates, The Wheeler Mission, D.R.E.A.M. Alive, Inc., The Children’s Bureau, Marlin Jackson’s Fight for Life Foundation, and Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.

Lisa Burns, the recently appointed Executive Director of IBC and RBAI, comments, “This is the most precious gift we, as a dance company, can give to our community this holiday season, and it is a labor of pure love for each and every one of us. We are thrilled to have such an opportunity to actively demonstrate our commitment to our community, to our youth and to our collective future. We truly believe that what our company does is important, has real value and can impact every member of the community to which we belong. Not only do we hope to provide a moment of magic that these children can treasure for many years to come, but we hope to draw attention to their needs, their stories, and the wonderful work of the organizations that quietly and tirelessly support them. I think this event will help people see the extent to which art can not only reflect the identity of a society, but also serve as a powerful voice within it.”

Founding Artistic Director of IBC and RBAI, Alyona Yakovleva agrees, “Art is, and always has been, about reaching out and sharing experiences so that we break down barriers and discover our common humanity. As such it should be available to everyone, to touch hearts and lives. Even simple stories such as Nutcracker carry profound messages. It appeals and endures because it shows us that, when we leave behind fear and prejudice, when we take a stand and look into the heart of things, we find our dreams and transform ourselves and the world into something magical. This is the gift of my heart, and the heart of our dancers, to our community.”

Response from that community has been enthusiastic with several individuals and organizations coming forth to support and augment the event. IBC welcomes any contributions or collaborations that will further support the success of the endeavor and add to the excitement of the day for these children. The company will also be offering performances for the general public on December 11th at 7:00 p.m., and on December 12th at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., with tickets ranging from $10- $20. A special Russian Tea Party with the cast is also available beginning at 11:30 a.m. on December 12th with preferred seating at the 2:00 p.m. matinee available to attendees. For more information on any of the performances, call 317-228-1917 or visit www.IndianaBalletCompany.com. Tickets for public performances may also be purchased at www.ticketweb.com or by calling 866-468-3401.

The Indiana Ballet Company (IBC) was established out of the desire to serve and connect to the community while preserving an opportunity for its youth that will last for generations. As such, each of its artists has made a specific commitment to live, work and teach in Indiana, year round. In fall of 2009, as part of its gradual, but strategic growth plan, IBC expanded its company and extended its dancers’ contracts to eight full time dancers. Building upon a 300 year-old heritage, IBC is returning to an earlier moment in American dance history, filled with innovative experiments in delivering a truly American form of the art, and perfecting it for the 21st Century. Using drama, grace and an exquisite sensitivity to capture hearts and imaginations, the company is delivering classically based ballet that is accessible, exciting and entertaining for all.

# # #
Elizabeth Audet
Publicity and Outreach Director
Indiana Ballet Company/Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana
Office: 317-216-9539
Cell: 317-627-8645
Elizabeth@IndianaBalletCompany.com
www.rbai.biz / www.IndianaBalletCompany.com

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – October 12^th, 2009 – The Indiana Ballet Company (IBC) will raise some spirits on October 31^st, as it bids farewell to its three-year Phantom phenomenon. The original creation of Alyona Yakovleva, Phantom of the Opera launched this Artistic Director’s particular talent for rendering ballet into a dramatic art. Since its inception three years ago, the production has become an old and successful friend to this young company. However, despite its growing popularity, Yakovleva and her artistic partners have decided to retire the show to make way for a season of surprises in 2010-2011.

To celebrate its success, and to send the production out in style, the company is partnering with Zing restaurant to create a Phantom Farewell costume party with the cast at 9:00 p.m., following the final performance. Patrons also have the option to make the evening a night to remember by taking advantage of special Phantom rates provided by the Conrad Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. Tickets for the production can be obtained through ticketweb, by visiting IndianaBalletCompany.com or calling 866-468-3401. Performance dates and times are October 30th, 7:30 p.m., October 31st, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Madame Walker Theatre Center, 617 Indiana Ave., Indianapolis. Ticket prices start at $15-25 with dinner at Zing and show package for $40. For information on Conrad rates please call 317-228-1917. Read the full article »

Russ Smith, former Executive Director of the Indiana Ballet Company (IBC) and the Russian Ballet Company of Indiana (RBAI), recently announced his resignation from the companies he helped to found four years ago with his wife, Alyona Yakovleva. Along with other arts leaders, Smith has long been aware of the new economic challenges facing the community in general and not-for-profit organizations in particular. His search for innovative solutions to these challenges, together with his background in philanthropic activity, introduced him several months ago to a brand new philanthropic enterprise that assists not-for profit companies with endowment building and asset management, while revitalizing community development. Read the full article »

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