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Nevada Ballet Theatre and Cirque du Soleil Present a Choreographers’ Showcase

Nevada Ballet Theatre, the state’s largest professional ballet company and the internationally renowned Cirque du Soleil, are pleased to announce the return of A Choreographers’ Showcase: A Project Designed to Stimulate and Encourage Artistic Growth. The unique production will include ten new and original choreographed pieces, five from Nevada Ballet Theatre dancers and five from Cirque du Soleil artists.

Due to the popularity of last year’s event, the Showcase will be presented on two dates, November 9 and 16 at 1 p.m. at the Mystère Theatre at Treasure Island. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased for $20 or $40 by calling the Mystère Box Office at 1-866-241-2833. All proceeds from Showcase ticket sales will support Nevada Ballet Theatre.

A special matinee performance will be held on November 7 for students of twelve schools from Nevada Ballet Theatre’s Education and Outreach Program, Future Dance. With the purchase of a $40 ticket, audience members afford these students the opportunity to experience the Showcase. Nearly 1,000 students will be able to see these inventive works of dance in the Showcase before the general public.

The Cirque du Soleil Global Citizenship Department had the desire to take an action-based approach when collaborating with the Nevada Ballet Theatre. Encouraging performers from the five Las Vegas resident shows to create new, original choreographed pieces for this artistic showcase supports the Nevada’s Ballet Theatre’s endeavors while furthering Cirque du Soleil’s involvement in the Las Vegas arts community.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Nevada Ballet Theatre and Treasure Island for the second installment of A Choreographer’s Showcase,” said Karen Gay, Director of Global Citizenship for Cirque du Soleil. “The excitement is building given the extraordinary success of the pilot project launched last year. Perhaps the best part of our collaboration is when we see the inspired faces of 1000 Clark County school children who will be the first to experience this event thanks, in part, to members of our audience who will purchase an upgraded ticket to ensure the presence of these children.”

“This exciting project gives artists from both companies the freedom to make new works in a range of styles and with the encouragement of their peers,” explains Beth Barbre, Executive Director & CEO for Nevada Ballet Theatre. “A Choreographer’s Showcase is revealing the depth of artistic talent and dynamism that exists here in Las Vegas.”

ABOUT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
From the 20 or so performers that the company featured when it all began in 1984, Quebec-based Cirque du Soleil has become a leading provider of quality entertainment with over 4,000 employees, including 1,000 artists, from 40 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil has thrilled almost 80 million spectators in more than 200 cities on five continents. In 2008, 18 shows will simultaneously be presented around the world. Cirque du Soleil has been the recipient of many prestigious awards, including the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gémeaux, Félix and Rose d’Or de Montreux.

ABOUT NEVADA BALLET THEATRE
A 501 © (3) non-profit organization, Nevada Ballet Theatre is the largest professional ballet company and dance academy in the state. Committed to the highest artistic standards, dancers for the 33 member company have been recruited from around the world and include artists with international performing experience. This classically-based company is at home in an eclectic repertory, moving easily from the classics to the high-energy contemporary ballets. The mission of Nevada Ballet Theatre is to educate and inspire regional, statewide and national audiences and vitally impact community life through professional company productions, dance training and education and outreach. Beginning in 2011, Nevada Ballet Theatre will be a resident company in the new world-class Smith Center for the Performing Arts.