April 15, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indianapolis City Ballet Set to Launch
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Gala Evening with the Stars Inaugural Event
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Economic and Social Leaders Supporting New Initiative

After eighteen months of research, planning and fund raising, the new Indianapolis City Ballet will launch onto the Indianapolis and central Indiana cultural scene on Saturday, September 12, 2009.

A gala “Evening with the Stars” will put Indianapolis back on the international cultural dance scene. The gala will unite internationally recognized guest artists in ballet performances from classical to contemporary as the inaugural event of The Indianapolis City Ballet.
“An Evening with the Stars” will take place the Murat Theatre in downtown Indianapolis. The event promises to be a milestone in the evolution of ballet in Indianapolis.

Artistic Chairman John Meehan, an internationally recognized artistic director, educator and former dancer who recently returned from Hong Kong where he was the artistic director of the Hong Kong Ballet, plans to present the best in classical and contemporary ballet. “The evening will feature some of the finest ballet artists dancing today,” said Meehan. “It will showcase the technique and artistry of these stunning, international guest artists and the imagination and creativity of some of the world’s finest choreographers.” Meehan also said that the evening will have an emphasis on neo classical and contemporary ballet – a new take on the possibilities of ballet.  Meehan is aware that so many evenings of this kind look to the past. This event will focus on the future. As he said, “’An Evening with the Stars’ will be an evening with its eyes firmly set on the future with brilliant young dancers performing fresh and imaginative, mostly 20th century repertory.  It will be a celebration of the future of ballet – a wonderful beginning to the Indianapolis City Ballet.”

Indianapolis City Ballet is a not-for-profit organization that was formed at the urging of a number of Indianapolis’ social and economic leaders and has been created to undertake the reintroduction of professional ballet in Indianapolis.  More than 75 business, cultural, academic, philanthropic and social leaders actively participated in an eighteen-month process to reintroduce professional ballet to Indianapolis.

“The vision is simple,” said Dr. Robert Hesse, chairman of Indianapolis City Ballet. “We want to bring an enduring professional ballet presence of the highest caliber back to Indianapolis.” He went on to say “The City has a passionate group of ballet supporters. It also has an even larger group of individuals who see that ballet is an integral component of a well-rounded life and that it needs a place in the cultural dynamic of Indianapolis and indeed central Indiana.”

A business plan has been adopted that combines accountability, strong artistic and administrative arms that function seamlessly, and a flexible growth strategy that will adapt to a changing artistic, philanthropic and social environment as well as to the market research and financial realities of each of Indianapolis City Ballet’s efforts. It is based on presenting a strong artistic program that effectively engages diverse audiences and represents the highest caliber of the art form in the world. This initial event will forge valuable new relationships and fortify existing relationships both in Indianapolis and in the larger international dance world.

Editor’s Note: See indianapoliscityballet.org for performance time and ticket information.

www.indianapoliscityballet.org