Richmond Ballet has announced its fall season Studio Series performances for September, October and November, which will feature in-person and virtual options. “The Nutcracker,” however, an annual winter favorite which features hundreds, will not take place this December in Richmond or Norfolk — the first time that’s happened since it started in performance here in 1980.
Among the changes for safety, according to a release: “The Studio Theatre capacity will be reduced from 250 to 70 to allow for social distancing. All patrons, who will be required to wear masks, will be assigned staggered arrival times and dismissed by row upon exiting. Dancers will also be wearing masks, and through creative programming and choreography, those who are not members of the same household will remain socially distant from each other.”
Artistic Director Stoner Winslett has put together one-hour shows with no intermission and each series will feature RB favorites presented in new ways “that reflect current times.”
“I believe that now more than ever our world needs the arts,” said Winslett in a release, “and that is why we have spent the last several months tirelessly working on safety protocols and programming that will allow us to fulfill our mission of awakening and uplifting the human spirit of both audiences and dancers.”
Here’s more information provided by Richmond Ballet:
For September’s performances, Winslett has commissioned new pieces by Richmond Ballet dancers Matthew Frain and Mate Szentes. Recently-appointed Associate Artistic Director Ma Cong will also choreograph, but solely via Zoom, a first in Richmond Ballet history. Costume Director Emily Morgan is working closely with the artists to create masks that either complement the current costumes or are incorporated into the new pieces’ designs.
2020 FALL SEASON
Studio Series: September
Sept. 15-27
Studio Series: October
Oct. 13-25
Studio Series: November
Nov. 10-22
Virtual tickets to the September and October Studio Series are available now. In-person tickets will go on sale in September. Visit richmondballet.com or call the Richmond Ballet Box Office at 804.344.0906 x224 to learn more.
