June 7-15, 2019 – Newmark Theatre

1111 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205 (inside Antoinette Hatfield Hall)

“There is so much depth and range in American choreography that it requires a sustained look, and a varied palette, to begin to take stock of what might define the “American” approach to ballet and dance.” – Kevin Irving, Artistic Director

With The Americans, OBT launches a new annual repertory program highlighting the unique voices and rich history of American choreography. The Oregonian writes, “Oregon Ballet Theatre closes its season with what is arguably its most exciting program all year…” The Americans features a first for OBT, the work of African-American icon Alvin Ailey! At once wistful and vibrant, Night Creature is “…a bubbly champagne cocktail of dance, the perfect fusion of Ailey’s buoyant choreography and Duke Ellington’s sparkling music.”

We follow that with the return of Trey McIntyre’s Robust American Love with music by Seattle’s famed indie folk band, Fleet Foxes. In this work, McIntyre creates a dance-scape evoking the spirit of exploration and freedom of the Wild West. Describing McIntyre’s work, The Washington Post wrote, “He knows how to hit all our pleasure buttons…”

We close with a world premiere of Big Shoes by local legends Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland, co-founders of BodyVox, bringing the program home geographically speaking.

Explore and connect with works by some of America’s finest choreographers, this season and for years to come!

Performance Schedule

Friday, June 7 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, June 8 – 7:30 PM
Sunday, June 9 – 2:00 PM
Thursday, June 13 – 7:30 PM
Friday, June 14 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, June 15 – 7:30 PM

OBT Premiere

Night Creature

Choreography by Alvin Ailey | Music by Duke Ellington

Night Creature is generously underwritten by Cate Millar & Bob Sweeney

First Revival Since 2014

Robust American Love

Choreography by Trey McIntyre | Music by Fleet Foxes

World Premiere

Big Shoes

Choreography by Jamey Hampton & Ashley Roland Music by Brian Eno, Philip Glass, Alphonse Mouzon, DJ Spooky, Stan Kenton Orchestra, and Kronos Quartet

Photos

Theodore Watler and Katherine Monogue in Alvin Ailey’s Night Creature. One of three works presented in Oregon Ballet Theatre’s production of THE AMERICANS, running June 7-15, 2019 at Portland’s Newmark Theatre. Tickets at OBT.ORG. Photo by Christopher Peddecord

Fun behind the scenes as OBT dancers try on their Big Shoes costumes. Big Shoes is a world premiere choreographed by Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland.

OBT Robust American Love Peter Franc Eva Burton, Photo by Jingzi Zhao

OBT Robust American Love, Micahel Linsmeier Peter Franc Xuan Cheng, Photo by Randell Milstein

OBT Night Creature Kelsie Nobriga, Photo by Randell-Milstein

OBT Night Creature, Photo by Jingzi Zhao

OBT Big Shoes Xuan Cheng Brian Simcoe,_Photo by Randell Milstein

OBT Big Shoes, Photo by Jingzi Shao

Casting

(Subject to change)

FRIDAY June 7th – 7:30PM

Night Creature
Kelsie Nobriga
Peter Franc
Brian Simcoe
Matthew Pawlicki-Sinclair
Katherine Monogue
Michael Linsmeier
Emily Parker
Adam Hartley
Jessica Lind
Thomas Baker
Hannah Davis
Theodore Watler
Kimberly Fromm
Christopher Kaiser
Abigail Diedrich

Robust American Love
Eva Burton
Xuan Cheng
Brian Simcoe
Michael Linsmeier
Peter Franc