ELEVATING THE ARTS AND OUR COMMUNITY

Beginning July 1, 2019, Zalman Raffael (Zali) became Artistic Director/CEO of Carolina Ballet. Following a two- year transition working as Co-Artistic Director with Robert Weiss, Zali now oversees all aspects of the company and The School of Carolina Ballet. Among other publications, the April 2020 issue of Raleigh Magazine recognized Zali as one of the “Thirty In Their 30s,” celebrating his contributions to the local arts scene and the Ballet’s impact on Raleigh and the Triangle community.

In April, 2020 Executive Director Michele Weathers was a recipient of the 2020 Women in Business Award from the Triangle Business Journal. This recognition is for Triangle women who have proven to be dynamic and outstanding leaders with established track records of significant accomplishments in business and/or community services.

AWARD-WINNING DESIGNS

Last season’s transition of our visual marketing in-house has proven to be an extension of the artistic expression and quality seen onstage at Carolina Ballet. In March 2020, the Ballet’s Marketing Team won two American Advertising Awards for their design work on our 2019-2020 Season Brochure. This is the second year in a row that our graphic designer, April Craig, has received this honor.

NIGHTMARE ON SOUTH STREET - A MASQUERADE BALL

On October 25, 2019, the Ballet held our second-annual Halloween celebration and fundraiser. This spooky tradition attracted more than 350 guests. The spectacular event included a performance of Robert Weiss’ The Raven and Lady in the White Veil; an extravagant costume contest; and even a dance party on stage.

PNC’S COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE OF

On Friday, December 27, 2019, hundreds of eager individuals began lining up outside of Raleigh WWW.CAROLINABALLET.COM Memorial Auditorium at 5:30 am to get free tickets to our 2pm performance of a magical holiday experience. In partnership with PNC Bank, the free Carolina Ballet TE O IN F Community Performance of The Nutcracker was a O P P R • complete sell-out. 2,289 tickets were given away to I D community members of all races, ages and backgrounds

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T E CELEBRATING FEMALE CHOREOGRAPHERS During Women’s History Month, Carolina Ballet honored female choreographers in a rare, all female-led ballet program, A Celebration of Female Choreographers. The March 2020 performances featured Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Boléro, and three new works: Blue Jay Eyes by Mariana Oliveira; Her Song Without Words by Carolina Ballet company member Jenny Palmer; and Silence and Song by Adriana Pierce. Due to statewide “stay at home” orders, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts had Left to right: Adriana Pierce, to close its doors for the spring shortly after Jenny Palmer, and Mariana Oliveira. the program’s opening weekend. Female Photo credit: Yevgeny Shlapko. Choreographers completed 5 of the 11 performances scheduled over 3 weekends.

We look forward to Mariana Oliveira returning as a Guest Choreographer during our upcoming 2020-2021 Season and to showcasing another one of her original works. Oliveira’s Pagliacci will be performed alongside Robert Weiss’ Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Mariana Oliveira’s Blue Jay Eyes. February 4-21, 2021, in A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater. Photo credit: Armes Photography.

COMMITTED TO TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DANCERS

AWARD-WINNING DESIGNS Now in its second year of operation, The School of Carolina Ballet (SCB) continues to grow with over 100 students enrolled and/or taking additional drop-in classes. Due to increasing enrollment among boys, a new men’s class will start in Fall 2020, taught by Carolina Ballet Principal Dancer Richard Krusch.

Earlier this year, the School of American Ballet’s Olga Kostritzky and our own Zalman Raffael led enriching master classes for our SCB students. By mid- March 2020, the School of Carolina Ballet transitioned to online virtual classes using Ballet Artist Pablo Javier Perez Zoom video conferencing. teaching class.

Our 13th annual Ruth S. Shur Summer Intensive will be held virtually in Summer 2020. Approximately 250 dancers from across the U.S., ages 9 to 21, participate in the Ballet’s Summer Intensive each year.

Photo at left: 2019 Summer Intensive

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE

This spring, Carolina Ballet’s Costume Director Kerri Martinsen partnered with Duke Health System’s Dr. Eric Westman and Dr. Larry Greenblatt to provide protective face coverings to at-risk populations during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Through a project known as Covering the Triangle, Kerri along with Carolina Ballet staff and volunteers have sewn thousands of masks—over 5,000 in the first four weeks!—using the Ballet’s supply of elastics, tie cord and cotton fabric. Kerri plans to talk to local tailors,

seamstresses and alteration shops to see if they can help make even more masks Kerri Martinsen, going forward. Carolina Ballet’s Costume Director

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE HISTORY OF BALLET AND HELPING US ELEVATE OUR COMMUNITY BY SUPPORTING CAROLINA BALLET!