Allied Arts

Perhaps there is no better description of the Oklahoma City Ballet then it's current tagline, "on the move." As you'll see in the below interview, the Oklahoma CityBallet has gone through a major transformation and come out with a renewed energy, passion and spirit to share excellent ballet with Central Oklahoma. Read on for more...

Name and Title: Robert Mills, Artistic Director
Organization: Oklahoma City Ballet
Web Site: www.okcballet.com

Give us the gist of your organization, Twitter-style (that means 140 characters or less).
Oklahoma City Ballet has been Oklahoma City's professional ballet  company for over 35 years.  Oklahoma City Ballet’s mission is to “ignite imagination through the art of dance”. 

What does your organization bring to Central Oklahoma?
The Oklahoma City Ballet is an emerging leader in dance for the region with a focus on excellence and integrity. 

It is the resident dance company of the Civic Center Music Hall producing a performance season of 5 major productions a year. 

It also serves as a community partner by providing educational outreach, scholarships for tuition assistance in its school and free tickets to professional performances to the underprivileged. The dance center of Oklahoma City Ballet prepares young dancers for a professional role in the arts and a lifestyle in pursuit of excellence.   

List a few things that your organization is looking forward to in the coming year.
Oklahoma City Ballet will enjoy the momentum of its continued growth. I will enter my third year of leadership as Artistic Director and Executive Director John Krasno will enter his second. 

We will open a new season highlighting a world premiere full length ballet, our annual production of “The Nutcracker”, two masterworks from two of 20th century’s most influential choreographers, two world premiere’s from two of contemporary ballet’s most sought after choreographers and a world premiere collaboration between OKC Ballet, Canterbury Choral Society and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.  

How can people get involved with your organization?
Of course they can attend our performances, they can bring their children in for dance classes or we have classes for adults too! 

They can follow us on the web on our main website www.okcballet.com or our social networking pages via Myspace, Twitter, facebook and You Tube, just search for Oklahoma City Ballet.  We often use these social networking sties to ask for volunteer help with special projects. 

For more information on any of our programs they may call 405-843-9898.

Name your favorite piece of art or art performance.
I love all forms of art, visual and performing. Being a classically trained dancer, ballet and dance hold a special place for me. 

My favorite work is George Balanchine’s Serenade, I remember first seeing it in my youth and it just took my breath away.  Sheer movement to music with no story, although one of the geniuses of the piece is that there seems to be an underlining story.  In which case, as a viewer, you are left to create your own. 

I can’t wait to bring Mr. Balanchine’s work to OKC.  In fact Oklahoma City Ballet will be dancing the Oklahoma premiere of his Valse Fantaisie in our upcoming 2010-11 season.

Which artist would you most like to meet?
Artists are a rare breed.  It takes an immense passion to master the chosen craft and an amazing amount of courage to choose to make a living in your chosen art.  I enjoy every artist I meet.