Indianapolis Ballet, Inc., home of the Indianapolis School of Ballet (ISB), has announced that they will be back at the Indianapolis Public Library, Central Branch, for a free community preview. The program will feature a sneak peek of their upcoming May performances of Coppélia and will take place on Saturday, April 15 at 3:00p.m.
Coppélia is considered one of the greatest comic ballets of the 19th century. It was first presented at the Theatre Imperial de l’Opera of Paris on May 25, 1870 and is based on the tale of The Girl with Enamel Eyes by E.T.A. Hoffmann, also famous for The Nutcracker. The ballet tells the story of an eccentric toymaker who crafts a life-like doll named Coppélia. Confusion and tension sets between Franz and Swanilda, betrothed and soon to be married, when he flirts with Coppélia. The ballet is inspired with many humorous moments and events that inevitably lead to a grand celebration and a happy outcome.
The full-length ballet will be performed at The Toby on the beautiful grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art on May 20 and May 21 at 3:00p.m. ISB’s production of Coppélia is an iconic three-act ballet based from the traditional staging by Lev Ivanov and Enrico Cecchetti with additional choreography by Victoria Lyras (ISB’s founding Artistic Director and former principal dancer and soloist with the Pennsylvania Ballet and a Balanchine protégé). Tickets are on sale at indyballet.org.
This free preview is part of the Indianapolis School of Ballet’s community outreach program. ISB’s long-standing relationship with the Central Library of Indianapolis is one of many free performances throughout the downtown community. “We love our relationship with the library and it provides a great space to offer these free previews. It allows people who haven’t experienced ballet before to enjoy and live the magic without making any commitments,” said Ms. Lyras.
Indianapolis School of Ballet also invites anyone interested in learning a few basic ballet moves to come down, meet a few of the dancers and participate in a short, introductory class that will be offered after the preview performance. “We want to give the opportunity to children of all ages who are curious about ballet and want to experience first hand the beauty, power and movement of dance,” said Ms. Lyras.
The community preview of Coppélia and introductory class takes place at the Indianapolis Public Library, Central Branch, at 40 E. Saint Clair St., Indianapolis, IN from 3:00 to 4:30p.m. The event is free and open to the public. To learn more about this event and other upcoming performances, please visit http://www.indyballet.org.
About Indianapolis School of Ballet
The Indianapolis School of Ballet (ISB) is Indiana’s premier destination for professional dance instruction – centrally located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. ISB advances professional ballet and dance education through world-class training and dynamic performances. ISB is a program of Indianapolis Ballet, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more, visit http://www.indyballet.org.
