James Sewell Ballet

With gratitude...

Two of the many reasons that the artists at James Sewell Ballet (JSB) love dance is that movement is both artistic expression and freedom to explore new and exciting points of view.  The JSB 2022-23 season is well underway, full of opportunities to reach new audiences, delight fans who have been with us for years, and create or reimagine choreography that can transport us all to new places and perspectives.

Support from individuals is the driving force that allows us to engage communities of people in both artistic and educational activities.

JSB started the season with its annual dance residency in Big Sky, Montana.  We will return there and also to Billings, MT in March '23 to perform with the talented Ahn Trio.  We will then bring these genre-bending performers to audiences in the Twin Cities for our spring concerts.  The Ahn sisters are known world-wide for their invention and superior musicianship.  

Our late October '22 shows at the O’Shaughnessy highlighted the talent we have recruited and are showcasing to our audiences. BREATHE featured choreography from dance and music phenom XINA, talented guest choreographer Michael Walters, and JSB dancer Arimee Gambill.  James also restaged his 2018 opus “Grey,” poignantly set to the music of Ukranian world-music quartet Dakha Brakha.

Sometimes it is a change of venue that gives us new perspectives.  Amahl and the Night Visitors, a classic that ushers in the holiday season, will be presented at Westminster Presbyterian this December, a church committed to serving its diverse downtown community.  We will work together to make Amahl’s “there is hope when times are bleak” message accessible to all who need or want to hear it.

It also feels good to be returning to robust artistic planning after two years of managing risks! We recently worked with Kerry Parker, a JSB instructor and featured choreographer, on a University of Minnesota Opera production. We also have a couple of new works for 2023-24 in the pipeline with The Singers (a reimagination of the Frankenstein legend with JSB alum Penelope Freeh’s new choreography) and the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus (a new work with the potential to tour to five additional gay chorus ensembles).

JSB continues to work with Project Success to bring underserved youth to performances, including South High School students who will see the artistic process up-close in our studio at an open rehearsal in February.  Both will introduce hundreds of students who might not otherwise see professional dancers at work to the joy of this artform.

Thank you for all you have done, and all you continue to do, to bring the artistry of James Sewell Ballet to a broad audience, in performances, on tour, and in informal settings.