The En Avant series, narrated by Fort Wayne Ballet Artistic Director Karen Gibbons-Brown, airs Saturdays on 89.1 WBOI during the Classical Connections Review. This episode of the Kinetic Conversations Podcast is a supercut of Karen’s six-part series on the history of the Ballet Russe, from its post-classical beginnings in Russia to its influence on the American ballet renaissance. Fort Wayne Ballet’s first of a 3-part series, Ballet Russe Reimagined, will be performed on March 21 and 22 at the Pearl Street Arts Center. The first performance features Les Sylphides and The Rite of Spring ..read more

On March 21, Fort Wayne Ballet is presenting Le Sacre du printemps, otherwise known as Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, as part of the Ballet Russe Reimagined series. It will be presented as a world premiere, with new choreography by famed choreographer, Mark Godden. Artistic Director Karen Gibbons-Brown sat down with Mark to discuss the process of creating a new show and working in tandem with the dancers to bring new life to this Ballet Russe classic ..read more

Stravinsky's unnerving music meets backdrops by... Picasso? As we move into our Spring season, we look ahead to our three stagings of the Ballet Russe Reimagined.  Jim and Karen sit down and discuss what the Ballet Russe means historically to ballet, and how our performances bring back the traditions of the roving dance company of the early 20th century.  ..read more

After getting his start in the Ballet Russe, George Balanchine makes a name in New York ..read more

The Ballet Russe finds new life in America after Diaghilev's death ..read more

“I have been dancing since I was three..." In this special episode of Kinetic Conversations, we hear from trainers, educators, and the dancers themselves what it means to them to be a dancer. Join with us as we celebrate these wonderful people who are the heart and soul of our company. We take a look back at some past sound bites from Raymond Lukens and Kim Sagami, and a never-before-aired interview with Cameron Basden, as well as some fun and thought-provoking ballet stories from our dancers - Avalou Burns, Brittany Focht, David Claypoole, and Tatum Farlow.  ..read more

The Ballet's repertoire expands during a successful tour of South America ..read more

Welcome to the Kinetic Conversations series on pre-professional dance programs, featuring the Fort Wayne Ballet Summer Intensive program. Over three episodes, Artistic Director Karen Gibbons-Brown sits down with professional dancers Talbot Rue, Jessica Humphrey, and Abby Zinsser, and graduating pre-professional GiGi McDowell to discuss this all-important phase in a young dancer’s training. Following up on our episode on pre-pro development, this is the first of two-parts discussing the importance of summer training in the life of a pre-professional dancer and the benefits of a program like For ..read more

In preparation for our Dracula performances, we take a look at the music of Alfred Schnittke, first through a choreographer's eye, as Jim has a discussion with Tracy Tritz. Then podcast's producer John Dawkins has a discussion with orchestral music expert, Dr. Steven Kandow ..read more

Diaghilev brings together the greatest artists, composers, and choreographers of the day to create innovative and sometimes controversial works ..read more