Oklahoma City, OK, August 20, 2024: Oklahoma City Ballet will present the fifth annual Ballet Under the Stars on Friday, September 13, at 7:00 p.m. The event will be held at Scissortail Park’s Love’s Travel Stops Stage & Great Lawn in downtown Oklahoma City. Featuring excerpts from classical ballet and modern dance, the evening will include short works performed by Oklahoma City Ballet’s professional dancers, OU School of Dance students, and students from the Oklahoma City Ballet Yvonne Chouteau School.
Thanks to the support of presenting sponsors Express Employment International, Arvest Bank, and OK Let’s Dance, an initiative of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, Ballet Under the Stars is FREE and requires no ticket or reservation to attend.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early to Ballet Under the Stars to get a great spot on the lawn and to take part in family-friendly activities starting at 5:30 p.m. From 5:30-6:30 p.m., attendees can watch dancers warm-up on stage, take photos with dancers, win prizes, and partake in a family dance class at 6:30 p.m. for all ages and abilities.
“Oklahoma City Ballet wants to make ballet accessible to our entire community. Ballet Under the Stars breaks down the barriers of cost, worrying what to wear, wondering if children can attend, and shows both the fun and the formal side of ballet,” said Whitney Cross, Director of Development & Communications.
Ballet Under the Stars showcases a variety of dance, and also the range of programs that Oklahoma City Ballet conducts throughout the year. For example, students from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County will demonstrate what they have learned through the Ballet’s free program, Dance Discovery, which takes place in 13 different Boys and Girls Club locations. Oklahoma City Ballet also has an outstanding dance school, the Yvonne Chouteau School, whose students will perform at the event.
“Ballet Under the Stars is the best sampling of dance performance you will see all year. There is a huge amount of variety in music and dance styles, and I guarantee everyone will fall in love with something they see. If you’ve never experienced live ballet, give this a try. You’ll be hooked,” said Oklahoma City Ballet Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye.
Some of the highlights at this years’ Ballet Under the Stars will include new works by rehearsal directors DaYoung Jung and Benjamin Tucker, a piece by corps de ballet member Mickayla Carr, an excerpt from the upcoming Swan Lake, and works by the OU School of Dance.
Oklahoma City Ballet Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye will reprise Chan Chan, which was featured at the first Ballet Under the Stars in 2020 with music by the Beuna Vista Social Club. He is also creating the highly anticipated Playlist, Volume 2, with a medley of music from all genres.
“We are thrilled to present Ballet Under the Stars for a fifth year in a row. It means so much to our staff, dancers, and students to see the massive crowds at this event. Our community gives so much to Oklahoma City Ballet, and this is a fun and exciting way to give back,” said Oklahoma City Ballet Executive Director Jo Lynne Jones.
Guests are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs. Some concessions and food trucks will be available at the park. Scissortail Park is located at 300 SW 7th Street in downtown Oklahoma City. In case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled for Saturday, September 20.
Oklahoma City Ballet will begin its official season at the Civic Center in October with Peter Pan. Single tickets to all productions are available for purchase on August 29. Oklahoma City Ballet is a nonprofit organization that relies on the generosity of the community to help fulfil its mission. Visit Oklahoma City Ballet’s website okcballet.org, or follow their Facebook and Instagram pages (@okcballet) to learn more.