User:JMKeane/Ballet Ireland

Ballet Ireland

Ballet Ireland, The National Ballet of Ireland is a professional ballet company  founded by Gunther Faulsey and Anne Maher in 1997. The company’s inaugural performance was given at the Gaiety Theatre in October 1998. The company rehearses in Dublin in Ireland; premiere dance centre, DanceHoue. The company performs classical and new ballets which resonate with audiences today. Each spring and autumn the company tours the country, performing everywhere from large scale theatres in Dublin, to provincial venues nationwide. Venues include An Grainan, Letterkenny; The Gaiety, Dublin; Civic Threate, Tallaght; Draiocht, Dublin; Wexford Opera House, Wexford; Dunamaise, Portlaoise.

The company's repertoire includes the classics including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, La Sylphide as well as new versions of Romeo and Juliet, Carmen and Cinderella. In recent years the company has been developing new, narrative work. In 2009 the company started to work with Morgann Runacre-Temple on this new work. She is currently the company's Choreographer-in-Residence.

Ballet Ireland’s Education Programme has been working with students in senior infants up to 6th class around the country since 2006. Workshops, led by Education Officer Stephen Brennan, refine and formalise movement skills and body awareness. The summer school programme involves the Education Officer and two dancers spending one week working with students in a theatre. In summer 2014 the programme was in 7 theatres: The Source Arts Centre, Thurles; glór, Ennis; Civic Theatre, Tallaght; An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny; Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown; The Moat Theatre, Naas; VISUAL, Carlow. The programme consists of daily workshops in music, mime, drama and dance. Each day begins with class on stage with the dancers. Summer school participants become part of the creative process, helping to devise the choreography, create sets and costumes.