The term "jubilee" means a special celebration honoring 50 years of a reign or activity, and that's exactly what Houston Ballet is commemorating on December 6. For one night only, audiences can enjoy the story of Houston Ballet's past, present, and future with the Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance.
Artistic director Stanton Welch has crafted an evening of pure ballet bliss, beginning with a mixed-media experience that's accompanied by projections from Wendall K. Harrington. It tells the story of Houston Ballet through excerpts and ends with a new work from Welch called Tarantella. Act two revisits the bright crowd favorite Reflections by Justin Peck. The evening concludes with Welch's Nosotros, a beloved piece in Houston Ballet repertoire that makes its way back to the stage.
"It's unique for a company to be run by generations of choreographers like we have," says Welch. "That rarity instills a certain type of dancer and work ethic in a company, and it creates a certain type of audience — a brave and adventurous audience who has grown with us for 50 incredible seasons."
Be on the lookout for special guests and former Houston Ballet artistic directors James Clouser and Ben Stevenson, along with former principal dancers Mirelle Hassenboehler and Lauren Anderson. The Houston Ballet alumni weekend follows the performance, so the night promises to be full of surprises and fond memories.
"From visionary to creator, artist to administrator, all have played a role in us achieving 50 years," says Anderson. "It's so exciting to have so many of us reunite to celebrate these moments with our patrons."
Don't miss the chance to celebrate Houston Ballet's golden anniversary with this once-in-a-lifetime performance.
