Advancing professional ballet and dance education in our community through world-class training and dynamic performances.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 8, 2016

Contact: Kara Hooley 317-955-7525 [email protected] www.indyballet.org

The School of Ballet presents The Nutcracker performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at the Murat Theatre December 16 – 18

INDIANAPOLIS, August 8, 2016 – For the first time in its history, the Indianapolis School of Ballet (ISB), a program of the Indianapolis Ballet, Inc., will perform with the world-renowned Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) when it presents its tenth- anniversary production of The Nutcracker December 16 – 18 at the Murat Theatre. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 19 and can be purchased at .com, or by visiting the box office in the Old National Centre on 502 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis, IN. Special pricing is available for students and seniors.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, performing live with a Nutcracker ballet for the first time in more than 30 years, will feature an ensemble of 45 musicians, led by ISO assistant conductor Vince Lee. Lee earned a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Jacobs School of Music at University and a Diploma in Orchestral Conducting at The Juilliard School under the direction of James DePreist. To date, Lee has premiered more than 200 works.

Indianapolis School of Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is a timeless two-act ballet featuring choreography by Victoria Lyras (ISB’s founding Artistic Director and former principal dancer and soloist with the Pennsylvania Ballet and a Balanchine protégé), Robert Rodham (former Regisseur of the Pennsylvania Ballet), and George Balanchine (founder of the School of American Ballet and the New York City Ballet). Lyras is staging Balanchine’s famous Grand Pas de Deux© from Act II of The Nutcracker with permission from The George Balanchine Trust.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with the remarkable Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra,” said Lyras. “Having a live orchestra perform with The Nutcracker is such a gift to see and hear and it truly brings new life to the ballet and Balanchine’s legendary choreography.”

Along with reputable choreography, ISB’s production of The Nutcracker is unique to central Indiana by showcasing historic landmarks and local talent on stage. Scenery from the notable Morris-Butler House, an Indiana Landmarks’ museum house built in 1865, inspired the setting and scenery designed by master scenic artist, C. David Higgins. Local RTV6 Emmy Award-winning news reporter Rafael Sanchez continues to make an annual appearance as the elegant gentleman in Act One’s “party scene.”

One-of-a-kind costumes are hand-made by Loukia Finale, former seamstress for Oscar de la Renta and costumer for the Piraeus Theater in Greece. Lighting and design are by Barrymore Award-winning designer, James Leitner, and ballroom dancers from Riolo Dance will portray the adult partygoers in the first scene as part of an ongoing professional collaboration between Ms. Lyras and Marie Riolo Roach.

The Indianapolis School of Ballet will also feature prominent guest artists and principal dancers including Paul Vitali, formerly of the Pennsylvania Ballet and Feld Ballets/NY, who returns as “Herr Drosselmeyer,” the benevolent maker of magic who gives young Clara her beloved nutcracker.

For access to exclusive photos, contests and upcoming giveaways, visit the Indianapolis School of Ballet @IndyBallet on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Indianapolis School of Ballet The Indianapolis School of Ballet (ISB) is Indiana’s premier destination for professional dance instruction – centrally located in the heart of . ISB advances professional ballet and dance education through world-class training and dynamic performances. ISB is a program of Indianapolis Ballet, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more, visit http://www.indyballet.org.

Advancing professional ballet and dance education in our community through world-class training and dynamic performances.

Ticket Information: The Nutcracker The Murat Theatre Friday, December 16th at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 17th at 2:00 Sunday, December 18th at 3:00 p.m.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY: All media are invited to attend upcoming rehearsals and speak with the performers, choreographers, and staff about the production. For more information, please contact Kara Hooley at 317-955-7525 or by email at [email protected].

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About Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Under the leadership of Music Director Krzysztof Urbański, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has become a leading orchestra in the nation with its commitment to artistic excellence, diverse and creative programming inside and outside its historic Hilbert Circle Theatre home, its engagement with communities throughout the state of Indiana and its innovative approaches to music education, and collaboration. In the decades since its founding in 1930, the ISO has presented a range of classical, pops, family and holiday programming to hundreds of thousands of people each year; received national and international acclaim with its radio broadcasts, tours and recordings; and became the first major orchestra with a resident ensemble (Time for Three).

About The Nutcracker Production Staff Victoria Lyras, Founding Artistic Director, Resident Choreographer A native of Athens Greece, Ms. Lyras received her training at the School of American Ballet under the guidance of Alexandra Danilova, Felia Doubrovska, Helene Dudin, Suki Schorer, Muriel Stuart, Antonina Tumkovsky and Stanley Williams. While studying at the School of American Ballet, she performed many children’s roles with the New York City Ballet. George Balanchine and Barbara Weisberger selected her for the Pennsylvania Ballet where she rose through the ranks to soloist and principal dancer. During her career, she has toured and performed as a freelance guest artist and master teacher throughout the . During the 1994-95 season, Ms. Lyras was a principal dancer with American Repertory Ballet. In 1996, she joined the professional staff of Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers in New York City and directed the ballet program designed exclusively for figure skaters. She later founded “Lyrical Designs,” her company that designs and executes competitive skating dresses, tutus, ballet costumes and headpieces. Ms. Lyras started the Indianapolis School of Ballet in August 2006.

James Leitner, Lighting Designer and Production Manager Mr. Leitner has worked professionally in dance since 1977. During that time, he has worked with Pennsylvania Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Miami City Ballet, the University of Wisconsin Dance Department, DanceWorks, Waves Jazz Dance, and the Vail International Dance Festival. He has also worked with various and numerous opera and theater organizations.

Loukia Finale, Costumer Loukia Finale immigrated to the United States from Greece in 1966. Her intricate and meticulous attention to detail earned her reputation as a favored dressmaker amongst many esteemed New York City clients. Most notably, Finale worked in Oscar de la Renta’s Manhattan atelier and designed costumes for the Civic Theater of Piraeus and many theatrical productions in Greece. Her many other talents include cooking, entertaining and gardening.