Adult Ballet Repertoire: Recreating Classics or Creating New Works?

In this insightful second installment of our Adult Ballet Company roundtable, Broche Banter brings together visionary directors to tackle a fundamental question: should adult amateur companies stick to the classics or forge a new path with original works? Featuring leaders from Rochester Adult Ballet, Bassett Dance Collective, Lee Purtill Ballet, and Cadenza Ballet, this discussion dives deep into the artistic soul of the adult ballet movement. A major focus of the conversation revolves around the allure and challenges of the big story ballets.

While many adult dancers dream of performing iconic variations from Swan Lake or Sleeping Beauty, directors must navigate the technical demands and the historical baggage these works carry. We explore how to address problematic tropes, such as racism and orientalism in The Nutcracker, while still delivering the magical experience audiences crave. From reimagining the Kingdom of Sweets divertissements to shifting the perspective of the protagonist, the panel offers practical strategies for modernization.

The roundtable also examines the psychological aspect of performance. For many, executing a sequence of pirouettes in a classical setting serves as a benchmark of validity. However, this often leads to a good enough complex where adult dancers measure themselves against impossible standards.

The speakers argue that contemporary works can be just as physically demanding as pointe work in a traditional ballet, while offering more freedom for authentic expression. Whether you are curious about the technicality of the Bluebird variation or the creative potential of a new Garden of Dreams production, this episode provides a roadmap for companies seeking to engage modern audiences. By prioritizing storytelling and the autonomy of the adult dancer, these companies are redefining what it means to make it in the world of ballet.

Join us at Broche Ballet as we continue this vital conversation.