Submitted by admin on Mon, 2005-10-17 08:00. ::
If offered tickets to either The Nutcracker or the sexy, action-packed blockbuster Mr. & Mrs. Smith, it's safe to say most young people would choose the latter.
"Our audiences are growing and we're starting to attract a younger crowd," says Levesque, who recently unveiled Alberta Ballet's new vision to grow into a national company.
To support this goal, the company's annual budget will increase from $6 million to $8 million over the next three years, which will enable it to continue performing on stages outside of Alberta and overseas.
Last year, the company completed a successful tour of China and gave several acclaimed performances at home in the University of Alberta's Timm's Centre, while their regular venue, the Jubilee Auditorium, was under renovation.
"Subscribers dropped off during this time, and using a smaller venue did impact single- tickets sales," but there were also unforeseen gains, says Levesque.
"We exposed the ballet to a different, younger, demographic. The smaller venue gave them an upclose opportunity to view the ballet," says Levesque, adding the company's unique brand of ballet likely took them by surprise.
"It's ballet with a theatrical flavour. Our lighting, set designs and costumes all add layers and dimensions to the production," says Levesque.
"We're delivering something to the audience that's compelling, beautiful and sensuous. It makes for a very memorable evening. It's not ballet as usual."
A review of last year's offering Dangerous Liaisons by the Winnipeg Free Press characterized the show as "a kind of Sex and the City episode set in the 18th century."
"The government needs to look at putting arts education back in the schools," says Levesque, who recalls field trips to the Edmonton Symphony back when he was a young pupil.
This is cache, read story here
