Kinetic Conversations with the Fort Wayne Ballet

As we revisit this 2024 Nutcracker chat, we start with three of our dancers - Talbot Rue, Anna Orzulak, and Abby Zinsser, who tell us what dancing in The Nutcracker every year means to them, both artistically and nostalgically. Then, we join Jim and Karen for a discussion on bringing new elements to this staging of the Christmas classic.*Notice: This episode discussed last year's relocation to the University of Saint Francis Robert Goldstine PAC. This year, Fort Wayne Ballet has returned to the newly renovated Arts United Center.

It's a Nutcracker Replay! We're sending you once again on this journey into Nutcracker past. Jim Sparrow hosts this introspective look back at past Kinetic Conversations, all about our favorite Holiday show. This episode originally released in November of 2023.

Fort Wayne Ballet welcomes you to its 69th season! Jim Sparrow and Karen Gibbons-Brown get down to it, filling us in on the ins and outs of the new season lineup: particularly the harrowing Halloween happenings of our Tales In the Dark performances.

In this special episode, Jim sits down with Youth Company Director Raleigh Sparrow to discuss Fort Wayne Ballet's Family Series shows for the 2025-26 season. First up is Spooky Kooky, this Saturday!

Cameron Basden, Répétiteur for the Arpino Trust, joins us ahead of Fort Wayne Ballet's staging of Light Rain, as part of the Ballet Russe Reimagined series conclusion. Jim and Cameron discuss the evolution of our company over the years of performing Gerald Arpino's masterworks and the versatility and skill of Fort Wayne's dancers.

For the first time in its history, Fort Wayne Ballet is performing a work by the great choreographer George Balanchine. As we anticipate the upcoming part two of our Ballet Russe Reimagined series, Jim Sparrow and Karen Gibbons-Brown discuss the iconic ballet Serenade.Fort Wayne Ballet’s second of a three-part series, Ballet Russe Reimagined, will be performed on April 11 and 12 at the Pearl Street Arts Center. This performance features Rite of Spring and Serenade.Purchase tickets at: https://tickets.artstix.org/TheatreManager/6/login?event=0&search=P_SEQ%20in(4250,4251,4252)

David Ingram is Fort Wayne Ballet’s guest choreographer for Les Sylphides as part of the Ballet Russe Reimagined series. In this interview, Jim Sparrow asks David about his career and his inspiration for setting new movement to this classic piece. Fort Wayne Ballet’s first of a 3-part series, Ballet Russe Reimagined, will be performed on March 21 and 22 at the Pearl Street Arts Center. The first performance features Les Sylphides and The Rite of Spring.

The En Avant series, narrated by Fort Wayne Ballet Artistic Director Karen Gibbons-Brown, airs Saturdays on 89.1 WBOI during the Classical Connections Review. This episode of the Kinetic Conversations Podcast is a supercut of Karen’s six-part series on the history of the Ballet Russe, from its post-classical beginnings in Russia to its influence on the American ballet renaissance.Fort Wayne Ballet’s first of a 3-part series, Ballet Russe Reimagined, will be performed on March 21 and 22 at the Pearl Street Arts Center. The first performance features Les Sylphides and The Rite of Spring.

On March 21, Fort Wayne Ballet is presenting Le Sacre du printemps, otherwise known as Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, as part of the Ballet Russe Reimagined series. It will be presented as a world premiere, with new choreography by famed choreographer, Mark Godden. Artistic Director Karen Gibbons-Brown sat down with Mark to discuss the process of creating a new show and working in tandem with the dancers to bring new life to this Ballet Russe classic.

Stravinsky's unnerving music meets backdrops by... Picasso? As we move into our Spring season, we look ahead to our three stagings of the Ballet Russe Reimagined. Jim and Karen sit down and discuss what the Ballet Russe means historically to ballet, and how our performances bring back the traditions of the roving dance company of the early 20th century.

After getting his start in the Ballet Russe, George Balanchine makes a name in New York.

The Ballet Russe finds new life in America after Diaghilev's death.

The Ballet's repertoire expands during a successful tour of South America.

Diaghilev brings together the greatest artists, composers, and choreographers of the day to create innovative and sometimes controversial works.

The Bolshevik revolution makes artistic expression a dangerous undertaking in Russia, and Diaghilev takes the Ballet to the West instead.

Diaghilev takes the reigns and showcases Russian dance to the rest of the world.

Having found new life in America, the Nutcracker thrives as a holiday tradition.

Petipa works with the famed composer to establish the music for the famed holiday ballet.

We explore Petipa's inspiration for the dances in his Nutcracker

Time to hear from the dancers!In this all-new Nutcracker chat, we start with three of our dancers - Talbot Rue, Anna Orzulak, and Abby Zinsser, who tell us what dancing in The Nutcracker every year means to them, both artistically and nostalgically. Then, we join Jim and Karen for a discussion on bringing new elements to this year's staging of the Christmas classic.