James Nelson News

Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM and Houston Ballet Academy Director Vicki Attard are pleased to announce that the Academy's own Lower School Principal Melissa Bowman has been named as Houston Ballet Academy's next Director, overseeing a variety of programs designed to take students from their first introduction to movement through a full course of ballet study. Mrs. Bowman will immediately step into her new role within Houston Ballet Academy as Deputy Director, while working hand in hand with Director Vicki Attard. The transition will continue through the summer and on June 4, 2018 Mrs. Bowman will assume the title of Academy Director.

Continuing the Hometown Tour March 1-4 at the George R. Brown Convention Center's Resilience Theater, Rock, Roll & Tutus features four captivating pieces including three Houston Ballet Premieres. The first of Houston Ballet's 'Unconventional Ballets at the Convention Center,' the evening will include Filigree and Shadow, In Dreams, La Cathedrale Engloutie, and Cacti.

Houston Ballet is proud to announce their first ever tour to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. From October 24-27, 2018, Houston Ballet will perform Artistic Director Stanton Welch's Swan Lake. Audiences in Dubai will have the opportunity to enjoy this timeless tale by Mr. Welch that has cemented him as one of the most innovative and in-demand choreographers in the world.

Houston Ballet has announced that Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM has promoted Chun Wai Chan to Principal dancer. Formally a First Soloist, Chan was promoted on the evening of December 23, 2017 after starring in Stanton Welch's The Nutcracker as the Nutcracker Prince. This well-deserved promotion concluded Houston Ballet's performances at the Smart Financial Centre during the company's Hometown Tour.

Houston Ballet announces new dates and venues for its exhilarating Spring 2018 Season that continues to inspire through artistic excellence and innovative choreography, continuing the Hometown Tour in a variety of Houston theaters.

Immediately after Hurricane Harvey, long-time Houston Ballet Trustee, Lynn Wyatt, stepped in to make sure Houston Ballet dancers could continue dancing and carry on with performances. With the company's home venue, The Wortham Theater, closed until May 2018, Houston Ballet will have to utilize alternative venues for upcoming its 2017-2018 Season. The company was in need of a portable dance floor to ensure their health and safety in an alternative venue, and without hesitation, Mrs. Wyatt generously underwrote a specialized, portable dance floor to meet that need while enhancing the dancers' performances as well as travel with Houston Ballet when the company goes on tour.

Artistic Director Stanton Welch's spectacular production of The Nutcracker returns and ventures across Houston this holiday season.

Final casting is announced to join multi award-winning Josie Lawrence, one of the UK's best-loved actors and comedians, in a new production of Mother Courage and her Children.

Sex and death often go hand in hand. The french term 'La petite mort' literally means 'the sensation of orgasm as likened to death' (OED). And Le Grand Mort certainly goes big on this theme. Intimate and intense, Christopher Renshaw's production is packed with passion, but feels rather anticlimactic.

Julian Clary and James Nelson-Joyce lead the world premi re of the two-handed black comedy.

Julian Clary and James Nelson-Joyce lead the world premi re of the two-handed black comedy, Le Grand Mort. Directed by Christopher Renshaw, Le Grand Mort will premi re at Trafalgar Studios from Today 20 September - Saturday 28 October. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the stars in rehearsal below!

Julian Clary and James Nelson-Joyce lead the world premi re of the two-handed black comedy, Le Grand Mort. Directed by Christopher Renshaw, Le Grand Mort will premi re at Trafalgar Studios from Wednesday 20 September - Saturday 28 October. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the stars in rehearsal below!

Due to Hurricane Harvey, Houston Ballet is unable to perform the opening two productions at the company's home venue. However, Houston Ballet is pleased to report that select performances of fall programming have been rescheduled at THE HOBBY CENTER - SAROFIM HALL. For a limited time from September 22-24 at The Hobby Center, Houston Ballet presents Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling, and will be the first North-American company to perform this compelling production. Originally premiering on February 14, 1978 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden by the Royal Ballet, Mayerling also had a triumphant American premiere in Los Angeles that same year and was the subject of a London Weekend Television film, winning the 1978 music category of the prestigious Prix Italia - the first ballet to do so.

Houston Ballet is grateful for the outpouring of support received over the past two weeks. With significant post-Harvey challenges ahead, the company is heartened by the way the city has come together to begin the recovery process. Although this recovery will be difficult and prolonged, Houston Ballet joins all Houstonians in the steadfast belief that the great city of Houston will emerge stronger than ever.

James Nelson-Joyce  is to co-star with the previously announced Julian Clary in the world premiere of the two-handed black comedy, Le Grand Mort.

Multi award-winning Josie Lawrence, one of the UK's best-loved actress and comedians is to star in a new production of Mother Courage and her Children.

From June 8 - 18, 2017, Houston Ballet caps its season with Stanton Welch's La Bayadere ('The Temple Dancer'), a historic classic set in royal India of the past.

From May 25 - June 4, Houston Ballet presents the North American Premiere of David Bintley's magical ballet, The Tempest. In celebration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, Mr. Bintley has created a fantastical production based on The Bard's well-known play.

Houston Ballet announces a tour to Ludwigshafen and Bonn, Germany. From April 3-13, 2017, Houston Ballet will perform three works by Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM: Maninyas (1996), Velocity (2003), and Tapestry (2012). Audiences will have the opportunity to see three works by Mr. Welch that have cemented him as one of the most innovative and in-demand choreographers in the world.

Houston Ballet is proud to announce that Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM has promoted Jessica Collado to Principal dancer. Formally a First-Soloist, Ms. Collado was promoted on the evening of March 10, 2017 after starring in Stanton Welch's production of Cinderella in the title role.