See the Ballet Stars of the Future Today
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American Ballet Theatre
Summer Intensive Performances
at the Detroit Opera House
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DETROIT, Michigan, July 6, 2005…The Detroit Opera House, in cooperation with the Maggie Allesee Department of Dance at Wayne State University, is pleased to present two performances by the students of American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT) Summer Intensive, Friday July 22, 2005, at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.

ABT’s Summer Intensive has earned a reputation as the most thorough and rewarding dance experience a student can have during the summer. One of five participating cities, the Detroit Summer Intensive features more than 183 of the most promising dancers, ages 12-21. The 2005 class is comprised of students from 39 states, as well as Brazil and France.

“The ABT Summer Intensive is a fantastic opportunity for young dancers to work with one of the world’s premier ballet companies, and it’s also an opportunity for audiences to see young dancers with a very high level of skill,” said Carol Halsted, Michigan Opera Theatre Dance Director.

Participating students stay in the dorms at Wayne State University and study under ABT’s acclaimed instructors, including Alayne Haubert, Ted Kivitt and Melissa Allen, to name just a few. The Summer Intensive program is designed to give students a well-rounded experience, with an emphasis on classical ballet technique. Classes range from nutrition and physical conditioning to choreography and technique.

About American Ballet Theatre

American Ballet Theatre is recognized as one of the world’s great dance companies. Unparalleled in size, scope and outreach, ABT is considered a living national treasure. Founded in 1940, ABT set out to fulfill the mandate of artistic directors Lucia Chase and Oliver Smith; to develop a repertoire of the best ballets from the past and to encourage the creation of new works by gifted young choreographers. In its 65-year history, the company has succeeded greatly, and accomplished much more.

American Ballet Theatre has developed a repertoire, perhaps, unmatched in the history of ballet. In addition to all of the great full-length ballets of the nineteenth century, the company has commissioned works by all of the great choreographic geniuses of the 20th century: George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille and Twyla Tharp, among many others. The company resume includes artistic direction by Mikhail Baryshnikov and Jane Hermann, as well as Kevin McKenzie. The company has toured in all 50 states and more than 130 cities throughout 42 countries.

In addition to being respected as one of the truly great ballet companies, American Ballet Theatre is widely recognized for their community and educational outreach—including Summer Intensive. ABT continues to reach out to communities throughout the world, and strives to train the ballet stars of the future.

Ticket Information

Tickets for American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive performances are available at the door, day of performance only. Seats are $15 for adults, $10 for students and children under the age of 15. Performances are at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 2005, on the grand stage of the Detroit Opera House.

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