NWA Ballet Theatre Appoints Stephen Wynne as Artistic Director

NWA Ballet Theatre Appoints Stephen Wynne as Artistic Director

After an extensive search, Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre (NWABT) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Stephen Wynne has been hired to lead the professional ballet company into the future. Mr. Wynne, a former professional ballet dancer, university professor, and acclaimed international choreographer has big plans to transform the company into a sustainable and regional hub for professional concert dance within the Northwest Arkansas cultural environment.

Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Stephen lived and worked in Europe for sixteen years after a two-year stint in New York City.  He brings a wealth of artistic experience and world-class business knowledge. As a Fulbright Scholar in the area of choreography and cultural impact, Stephen has worked with the US Department of State to serve other countries in developing cultural amenities and cultural impact by using dance as a driving force. Mr. Wynne also brings years of experience in university dance and has recently completed a 4-year commission with the dance department at the University of the Arts in Cologne, Germany, a commission funded by the Cologne Philharmonic.

Founding Director, Margie Bordovsky, stated, “We are profoundly grateful to have found someone of Stephen’s impeccable caliber who shares the same commitment for the highest standard of artistic excellence.” Mr. Wynne is excited to develop the company's new voice and build a strong community within its walls– and outside of them. Stephen was celebrated and awarded by the German Cultural Department and the YEAH European Cultural Award. He has worked as a dance tour consultant with SouthArts and has a unique business sense from which he plans to build sustainability for the organization.  

Mr. Wynne plans to make BALLET a household word in Northwest Arkansas by showing how dance connects to everyone's life and how it can reflect the values and passion of this region. He is passionate about collaborating with other organizations to cultivate connections. Stephen and his wife, Britta Heermann-Wynne, work as a team within the dance studio and their goal is to build an inspiring and respectable community for the artists and a welcoming retreat for its audience. He is excited about the possibilities the company holds, including its potential to cultivate regional dance leadership, and looks forward to connecting the dots between the area’s unique nature, its people, and the dance company.

“I delight in the inexhaustible possibilities that each new opportunity illuminates. It personally inspires me to motivate, assist, and encourage the people around me. It is very gratifying for me to be in a professional position where the company is on a growth trajectory”. –Stephen Wynne

NWA Ballet Theatre was founded in 2011 by Margie Bordovsky, Mariah Bordovsky, and the late Peggie Wallis.  Their purpose was to provide a quality professional ballet company so talented dancers would not have to leave the state in order to pursue their dreams, local communities would not have to drive hours away in order to see high quality dance performances, and to create a company that would garner respect and bring other artists to Northwest Arkansas as well as maintaining a work atmosphere of dignity and respect. The company they established is here to provide valuable artistic opportunities and experiences to enrich the creative vitality of the region.

Stephen Wynne’s work and leadership has been noted both nationally and internationally:

Dance Magazine – “his work is technically stunning”

The Philadelphia Inquirer – “he is original and precise”  “a genuine surprise”, “he leads with authority”

The Houston Chronicle - “highly inventive,”

The Kansas City Star – Stephen  “works with finesse.”

Prism Magazine –  Stephen is the “real deal.”

U.S. Senator Mike Stack says he is a “unique and valuable cultural resource."

Philadelphia City Paper -  he is “riveting and engaging”

Cool Cleveland  - Stephen “articulates deep thoughts in an effective manner,”

Bill Bissell from the Pew Foundation states that he has “high standards.”

Hundreds Of Happy Feet: 'Nutcracker' brings professionals, students together

The holiday ballet classic "The Nutcracker," an annual event presented by the Northwest Arkansas Conservatory of Classical Ballet and the Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre, couldn't be slowed down by covid-19: in 2020, the event's eighth year, the show went virtual.

"Our students and our parents were really grateful that we were able to make something happen at the height of the pandemic last year," notes school principal Jennifer Davis. "But it's just not the same when you're not performing for a live audience. It was really a little bit weird for our dancers just to be performing for a camera. It was edited beautifully, it was recorded beautifully, it was packaged beautifully -- but as a performer, you're being very generous, and you're being a little bit vulnerable, with your art and with your technique, and that just feels a little bit shallow and hollow, when you're just doing it for a camera. To have an audience again, to have that give and take of performing -- the applause and the reception of the audience -- you can just feel that as a dancer, when your audience is really enjoying what you're doing and enthralled in the performance. It's very rewarding to have that.

"I'm so very glad that we're at the point that we're able to get back in the theater and get back in front of people."

And they're coming back with a bang: the organization is in its 10th year of existence, the event in its ninth, and the company is celebrating by mounting its largest production ever, weighing in with a cast of 175 people.

"There's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes for a production this size," says Davis. "Here are some fun stats for you: It takes about 200 rehearsal hours, at least, to mount this production. It also takes about 1,000 volunteer hours behind the scenes, both in preparatory work and also just backstage during our theater week rehearsals and the actual performances. It really requires a lot of hands to keep all these pieces moving."

In addition to performing her duties as school principal, Davis is also partially responsible for some of the choreography of "The Nutcracker," along with staff members Karen Castleman and Anna Sulanke.

"We work together on different sections of the show so that it all gets choreographed and worked out, because it's a lot of work," Davis says. "It's two hours worth of choreography, and many, many dancers, and so we share the workload."

The cast includes about 150 student dancers, Davis says.

"Our auditions for 'The Nutcracker' are open, which means that they're open to community dance students, as long as they meet the age and eligibility requirements," Davis says. "Any local dance student is welcome to come and audition for our show. I would say that probably about 20% of the dancers that are involved in the student cast are from other studios. It's nice for us to be able to open it up and make it really a communitywide event."

Lara Jo Hightower I December 5, 2021

Trike Theatre, Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra, and NWA Ballet Theatre Announce Partnership

Organizations will explore new business models adaptive to resource sharing.

Bentonville, AR---February 9, 2021---​Three Northwest Arkansas arts organizations announced today preliminary steps in collaboration toward building a collective business model. From a pool of 50 nonprofit applicants, ​Trike Theatre​, Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra​, and ​NWA Ballet Theatre,​ were included in 22 awards distributed from a competitive Bridge Fund Grant through Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange (CACHE) at the Northwest Arkansas Council. The Bridge Fund Grant program is supported by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation. I​ndividually, Trike, APO, and NWABT are part of an emerging sector of small to midsize arts organizations in the region and share similar programming initiatives, audiences, and interests.

Forged in response to ongoing circumstances surrounding the pandemic, Trike, APO, and NWABT will explore opportunities to strengthen their organizations by sharing artistic, technical,and administrative resources, as well as investigate new methods supporting a sustainable and inclusive business adaptation. Funds from the grant will be used to engage a nonprofit business consultant to lead the discovery process and outline this new model.

“Collaboration is essential,” said Arkansas Philharmonic Executive Director, Jason Miller. “Creative partnerships like these bode well for the region’s cultural future and are essential to staying relevant and viable during this challenging time.”

About Trike
Trike Theatre is Northwest Arkansas’ only Professional Theatre for Young Audiences, located in Bentonville, AR, where young artists and their families SEE, LEARN and DO Theater. Trike Theatre’s mission is to Cultivate Creativity, Build Character and Strengthen Communities so that the lives of young people can be transformed by exceptional theatre experiences through our Productions, Academy and our Outreach programming . Trike Theatre proudly focuses its service on Northwest Arkansas but has a growing reach throughout the state, region, and united states. To learn more about ways to enroll, purchase tickets or donate, please visit ​https://triketheatre.org/

About Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra
Under the direction of Maestro Steven Byess, the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) performs large masterworks and pops concerts with a contemporary twist. Featuring world class musicians, many from Northwest Arkansas, the APO collaborates with other arts organizations with the aim of introducing art in unexpected ways. The APO reimagines classical works and performs in unconventional venues, with the intention of making art more approachable to everyone, ‘meeting people where they are’. At the core of their mission is a relentless pursuit of the unexpected, where every APO experience is delightfully unpredictable. The APO also offers robust music education programs. In addition to our youth orchestra (APYO), they partner with Carnegie Hall to offer 'Link Up' - a symphonic curriculum where students become part of the orchestra. ​https://arphil.org

Second Show Added for A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Walton Arts Center

Tickets on sale now for the March 12th and 13th performances.

Bentonville, AR---February 5, 2021---NWA Ballet Theatre, in association with Walton Arts Center, announced today a second performance of David Justin’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Originally a one night engagement, the second show was added due to ticket demand. Beginning today, tickets may be purchased for Friday, March 12th or Saturday, March 13th. Both shows begin at 7:00p and will be in Baum Walker Hall. Ticket prices range from $15-$25, plus applicable fees, and can be purchased at www.waltonartscenter.org or by calling 479.443.5600.

Inspired by William Shakespeare’s fairy tale play, and featuring the mesmerizing music of Felix Mendelssohn’s score, A Midsummer Night’s Dream will entice audiences into an ethereal world of love, mischief, and magic. The familiar story of intertwined lovers, fairies, and mortals depicted through a playful portrait of dance, highlights the roots of ballet which include acting, folk dancing, and ballet technique to tell a story sure to delight audiences of all ages. .

The March 12th debut marks NWA Ballet Theatre’s first in-person performance since February 2020, and will take place in Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall, where state approved safety protocols for audience and theatrical staff will be closely followed. Social distancing within the theatre will be ensured through a minimum of four empty seats between parties, and every other row remaining empty. Empty rows, with select seats removed, will also serve as walkways to seats located in the center of the theater, further reducing contact between patrons. Masks are required for all staff and patrons of Walton Arts Center.

Since its strategic reopening in August, NWABT has prioritized a safe working environment for artists and staff through an ongoing collaboration with a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences advisory team. NWA Ballet Theatre has limited public exposure by offering virtual performances and interactive rehearsals up to this time. Among other protective measures, NWABT requires masks during all studio rehearsals, as well as in-person and recorded performances.

NWA Ballet Theatre is a multidimensional arts organization that is exciting audiences around the region with vibrant, innovative, classical and contemporary ballet. Founded in 2011 by Margie Bordovsky, Mariah Bordovsky, and the late Peggie Wallis, NWABT’s dance company is made up of 22 professional artists, representing 14 states, sharing a collective passion for dance. Under the artistic direction of David Justin, NWABT is pioneering original works, reimagining familiar classics, and working to enrich the cultural landscape of the region.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream​ Highlights Classical Vision of NWA Ballet Theatre

Walton Arts Center hosts the debut performance March 13th.

Bentonville, AR---February 1, 2021---​NWA Ballet Theatre, in association with Walton Arts Center, announced today the debut performance of David Justin’s ​A Midsummer Night’s Dream​ at 7:00p on Saturday, March 13th. Ticket prices range from $15-$25, plus applicable fees, and go on sale Friday, February 5th at 10:00am. Tickets can be purchased at ​www.waltonartscenter.org​ or by calling 479.443.5600.

Inspired by William Shakespeare’s fairy tale play, and featuring the mesmerizing music of Felix Mendelssohn’s score, ​A Midsummer Night’s Dream​ will entice audiences into an ethereal world of love, mischief, and magic. The familiar story of intertwined lovers, fairies, and mortals depicted through a playful portrait of dance, highlights the roots of ballet which include acting, folk dancing, and ballet technique to tell a story sure to delight audiences of all ages. .

The March 13th debut marks NWA Ballet Theatre’s first in-person performance since February 2020, and will take place in Baum Walker Hall where state approved safety protocols for audience and theatrical staff will be closely followed. Social distancing within the theatre will be ensured through a minimum of four empty seats between parties, and every other row remaining empty. Empty rows, with select seats removed, will also serve as walkways to seats located in the center of the theater, further reducing contact between patrons. Masks are required for all staff and patrons of Walton Arts Center.

Since its strategic reopening in August, NWABT has prioritized a safe working environment for artists and staff through an ongoing collaboration with a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences advisory team. NWA Ballet Theatre has limited public exposure by offering virtual performances and interactive rehearsals up to this time. Among other protective measures, NWABT requires masks during all studio rehearsals, as well as in-person and recorded performances.

NWA Ballet Theatre is a multidimensional arts organization that is exciting audiences around the region with vibrant, innovative, classical and contemporary ballet. Founded in 2011 by Margie Bordovsky, Mariah Bordovsky, and the late Peggie Wallis, NWABT’s dance company is made up of 22 professional artists, representing 14 states, sharing a collective passion for dance. Under the artistic direction of David Justin, NWABT is pioneering original works, reimagining familiar classics, and working to enrich the cultural landscape of the region.

NWA Ballet Theatre announces new leadership

Bentonville, AR---June 24, 2020---NWA Ballet Theatre and its Board of Directors announced today that David Justin will assume the role of Executive Artistic Director for the 20/21 season.  David will succeed NWABT’s first Artistic Director, Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye, who announced his departure on April 25th.  Additionally, David will assume the responsibilities of Executive Director, a position held since 2011 by the founder, Margie Bordovsky, who will now focus on duties as Managing Director.  David joins NWABT from his post as Associate Professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory and brings an unprecedented level of education and experience to the company.

“I am delighted to bring someone with David’s knowledge, talent, and experience to lead NWA Ballet Theatre," said Bordovsky.  "His  innovative ideas and  talent will blend seamlessly with the mission of the company and it will be a great pleasure watching our organization evolve under his artistic and executive leadership.  I am equally excited for our dancers and staff to have a mentor of this caliber who cares about them individually, guiding and shaping their dance careers.”

David began his career at Boston Ballet, advancing to hold principal and soloist roles at Birmingham Royal Ballet and San Francisco Ballet.  He toured the globe extensively and has a broad repertoire that includes principal roles in classical works by choreographers including Ashton, Balanchine, Bintley, Caniparoli, de Mille, Forsythe, Kylian, MacMillan, Morris, Taylor, Tharp, Tudor, Robbins, Welsh, and York.  David’s dancing was described as “alluring and mercurial,” “polished,” “brilliant,” and “fearless.”  

Since retiring as a dancer, David has worked as a choreographer, staging critically acclaimed work supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, National Choreographic Institute (NYCB), Dance Gallery NYC, Ballet Builders, American College Dance Association, International Choreographer’s Showcase, National Choreographer’s Initiative, as well as several universities and performing arts schools. Presented with international acclaim, reviews of his choreography describe it as “surprising,” “poetic,” “athletic,” “inventive,” and “intelligent.” 

David’s instructional expertise stems from his contributions as the interim ballet master and men's program coordinator at Kansas City Ballet, attaining the highest ABT Teacher Training certification, and a professorship at the University of Texas-Austin.  As the founding artistic director of American Repertory Ensemble, a professional chamber music and ballet company, and co-producer of the David Mark Cohen New Works Festival, David also brings an energetic executive leadership to the organization.  

Commenting on his new role, which began on June 22nd, Justin said:

“I am thrilled to be joining the team of dedicated people at NWA Ballet Theatre.  As I take on the roles and responsibilities of Executive Artistic Director, I am keenly aware of the energy and effort by so many talented individuals that have brought NWABT this far. As we move into the future, we will continue our service to the region and seek new ways to meet the challenges ahead with innovation and creativity.  I am grateful to be on this journey with you.”

David is married to Grace Holmes, current School Director at Kansas City Ballet and a former soloist with San Francisco Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet, UK.  They have two children, Miles and Evelyn.

NWA Ballet Theatre Brings New Programs to the Community

NWA Ballet Theatre will provide audience-accessible performances and generate national recognition.

BENTONVILLE, ARK— February 25, 2019 — NWA Ballet Theatre announced today Dance Anywhere/Everywhere, a dance initiative set to launch in Spring 2019. The program will include outdoor and theater performances, a series of creative events for young children, as well as social and awareness events connecting artists with community. This project is funded in part by a $105,825 Walton Family Foundation grant.  Events include:

Dance Beat -   a public art project taking dance outside the theater and into Northwest Arkansas’ scenic outdoor and urban spaces with pop-up, public art performances.

Once Upon a Dance - an accessible library-based reading and dancing program introducing dance as art form, involving little ones in storytelling and see-and-do activities. 

Faces - an up-close and behind the scenes look at how dance is made including how dancers train, rehearse, and work.  A social way to meet creative artists and people who support dance arts for Northwest Arkansas. 

NEXT - a mixed repertory performance showcasing innovative works by up and coming choreographers from around the country, NWABT’s Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye, NEXT reflects the diversity and evolution of classical ballet through the contemporary lens of today’s dance-makers.  Tickets on Sale in April.

NWA Ballet Theatre, the region’s premiere professional ballet company, announced the project designed to build a culture of “classically contemporary” dance in Northwest Arkansas, which will begin to link communities, boost visibility, and build capacity for dance to flourish in Northwest Arkansas.

 “We are excited to launch this project,” said Jolicoeur-Nye. “It has been our vision to develop a professional dance company that presents creative and inspiring dance, contributes artists to the cultural fabric of the region, and explores innovation in both organizational and program development. With this opportunity comes great responsibility to reach a diverse audience, to make dance inclusive and accessible to all, and to enrich the lives of the people we serve. We cannot wait to see dance flourish alongside the already thriving arts scene in Northwest Arkansas."

The Dance Anywhere/Everywhere project will begin to position NWA Ballet Theatre as the region’s preeminent dance company and destination for professional dancers, attracting a diverse company to reflect the changing population of the region.

A full schedule of events will be released soon, and can be found online at http://www.nwaballettheatre.org/

About NWA Ballet Theatre

Founded in 2011, by Margie Bordovsky, Mariah Bordovsky, and the late Peggie Wallis, NWA Ballet Theatre seeks to provide valuable artistic opportunities and experiences to enrich the creative vitality of the region. The mission of NWABT is to inspire a lasting love and appreciation for the art of ballet by combining artistic excellence in dance with innovative choreography, which result in exhilarating performances that accent the dignity and grace of the dancers.  For more information, visit http://www.nwaballettheatre.org/

About Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye, Artistic Director

Jolicoeur-Nye joined NWA Ballet Theater in 2016 with a vision to lead a forward-thinking ballet company that would be a vehicle for developing artists to thrive and mature collectively, showcase a diverse range of talent, bring contemporary choreography to the stage, and collaborate with the rising arts community. As director of NWA Ballet Theatre, Jolicoeur-Nye draws on his considerable expertise in ballet training and dance administration with the intent to create an exciting and vibrant artistic platform for dance.   In his short time in NWA, he has already shown an ability to recruit experienced dancers, build momentum for a professional company and champion the artistic integrity of the company.  A professional dancer since 2005, he first worked in Canada with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.  He has worked as a principal and soloist undertaking roles with the Banff Summer Arts Festival, Festival Ballet of Providence, Eugene Ballet and Ballet Idaho where he was promoted to principal dancer in 2011.  He joined Kansas City Ballet in 2012 and continued as a guest artist with companies around North America including Oklahoma City Ballet and Boise Dance Co-op. In 2017, he became Second Company Manager for Kansas City Ballet, training and developing emergent professional dancers.  He has worked with world-renowned choreographers and created dances that have been performed by many companies including Kansas City Ballet, Chicago Repertory Ballet and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. He has also choreographed on dancers from Tulsa Ballet, Alberta Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Miami City Ballet and the Finnish National Ballet.  His work has been presented all across the U.S. and Canada and most recently Niigata, Japan. 

SOLD OUT NUTCRACKER SHOWS AGAIN THIS YEAR!!!!

Wow! Nutcracker was amazing this year and we loved performing with the 146 students and actors around the region in this professionally staged show produced by The NWA Conservatory in Bentonville. Ava was our beautiful Snow Queen with visiting dancer Justin Hughes from Ballet Idaho, Mariah was the enchanting Dew Drop Fairy, Lilly and our Artistic Director performed a very beautiful Arabian dance, Ruby spiced things up with her Spanish Chocolate, and our apprentice, Bella, did an excellent job as Clara. Our sweet Anna Fendley unfortunately broke her foot two weeks before the show, but Ava stepped in and learned her part. Thankfully, the doctors think she will be up and dancing again in a few weeks!!! The Conservatory says they will be adding an extra performance time next year since the Arend Arts Center, the school, and the Guild were overwhelmed with people calling to ask for tickets to our already sold out shows. Lesson: BUY YOUR TICKETS WHEN THEY GO ON SALE IN OCTOBER!!!

The ladies are heading to their respective homes for Christmas, but Ruby and Ava have a special New Year’s workshop planned for students in the region! Here are the details:

Friday Conditioning 4-4:40 Ballet/Modern 4:45-6:15 Modern/Ballet 6:30-8

Saturday Conditioning 10-10:40 Ballet/Modern 10:45-12:15 Modern/Ballet 12:45-2:15 Variations/Choreography 2:15-3

Pricing: $200 for the 2-day workshop $120 for 1 day of the workshop $30 for individual classes Payment accepted in advance or day of

Contact us to reserve your spot! info@nwaballettheatre.org, 479•553•7400

WHERE? 3111 SE J St. Bentonville, AR 72712

Ava Cobb: 2 years in Ballet Arizona’s Professional Company and Company dancer with NWA Ballet Theatre

Ruby Mather: BFA in Ballet Performance from the University of Oklahoma and Company dancer with NWA Ballet Theatre

WHEN? Friday, Jan. 4th 4pm – 8pm Saturday, Jan. 5th 10am – 3pm Ages 8+

iF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT US, PLEASE BUY YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFTS THROUGH AMAZON SMILE AND CHOOSE US AS YOUR CHARITY! WE ALSO HAVE A DONATE BUTTON ON OUR WEBSITE UNDER “SUPPORT”. Keep us on our toes!

Looking forward to the coming events this spring. We will keep you posted!

New season news!

So much is going on! First, we welcome new dancers to our company. Ava Cobb comes to us from Ballet Arizona, Lilly Hill left the beaches of south Florida, and we scooped Ruby Mather up fresh out of completing her degree with University of Oklahoma. We have new apprentices this year, too! Sydney Driscoll (Missouri) and Shayla Winkel (Bentonville) join returning apprentices Bella Saclolo, Esther Gowin, and Harley Crabb.

Ryan is busy in the studio setting innovative new works and meeting lots of ballet fans in the area. We have an in-studio OPEN REHEARSAL coming up November 9 called FACES. This is a chance to see the dancers at work and then meet them face to face at a small reception afterward.

THE NUTCRACKER this year should NOT BE MISSED! Not only do we get to share the stage with 140 of the region’s best dance students, but we also will be dancing with some amazing professionals from other companies in the country!

Our own Ava Cobb will be dancing SNOW QUEEN with Justin Hughes from Ballet Idaho who is playing the part of SNOW KING. Justin will also be dancing lead in the RUSSIAN dance this year and we’ve heard it is pretty awesome!

Justin Rainey of Oklahoma Festival Ballet will be back as our Nutcracker Prince. We always welcome Justin back to his hometown!

Now for the icing on the cake, two dancers from American Ballet Theatre (ABT) will perform the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. For those who are not up on their ballet savvy, ABT is the national ballet of the USA. It is the home of Misty Copeland, and former home of Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Meet Elina Miettinen

Elina was born in the Soviet Union to a Russian mother and a Finnish father. As a little girl she immigrated with her family to Finland and began taking dance lessons in Helsinki. She was soon accepted to be a full-time student at the Helsinki Dance Institute and ballet became her main focus in life.

In 2005 Elina was recognized as a young promising dancer in Finland and was awarded a Pro Dance Scholarship. She completed her ballet studies by spending a year training in Amsterdam and taking summer courses in Paris, Cannes and Copenhagen.

Elina attended numerous high profile ballet competitions in Helsinki (Finland), Mora (Sweden), Grasse (France) and New York (USA). Her performance in New York led her into signing a contract with the American Ballet Theatre as the first ballerina from Finland. After dancing with the Finnish National Ballet for two seasons Elina moved to New York in 2008 to begin her career with ABT.

Elina has performed in many continents around the globe, including Asia, Europe, Australia as well as North America. She has made guest appearances in several Nutcrackers and was invited to perform at the International Ballet Gala of Lappeenranta in Finland.

Meet Sean Stewart

After performing in musical theater productions as a child, Sean Stewart began his study of jazz dance and tap with Lisa Clark at the age of 10. He began studying ballet two years later with Yanina Cywinska and was a professional ballet dancer by the age of 14, having joined the Joffrey II Dancers in New York under the direction of Jeremy Blanton and Gage Bush Englund. He studied for a year at the Paris Opera Ballet School before joining American Ballet Theatre. Sean performed many roles with ABT including Lankendem and Birbanto in Le Corsaire, Benno in Swan Lake, Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, the Nutcracker Prince in The Nutcracker, Hortensio in Taming of the Shrew, as well as featured roles in modern and contemporary works by Merce Cunningham, Mark Morris, Twyla Tharp, Christopher Wheeldon, Alexei Ratmansky, Nacho Duato, Lar Lubovitch, Christian Holder, Lauri Stallings, Aszure Barton, Benjamin Millepied and Stanton Welch among many others. He has performed with Lar Lubovitch's company, as well as Complexions, and originated a role in The Times, They Are A' Changin', a musical play directed and choreographed by Twyla Tharp. Sean performed as a dance double for the character of Sergei in the film Center Stage. Sean has taught ballet at Peridance in NYC as well as at various schools around the country.

AUDITION TIME IS UPON US!

Want to dance innovative choreography in the fastest growing arts center in the country? Ballet Theatre is looking for FOUR MALES and THREE FEMALES for the 2018/2019 season.  Dancers must be at least 18 years of age, advanced training in classical and contemporary.  Must have USA citizenship or a working visa established.  

OPEN AUDITION -  Saturday, March 24, from 2:00 - 3:30. Audition will be held at The NWA Conservatory located at 3111 S.E.  J Street in Bentonville, Arkansas.  If you plan on coming to the audition, please pre-register by emailing the following information to margie@nwaballettheatre.org:  Your resume/CV which includes height, birth date, and citizenship, headshot, and a first arabesque photo. Video links are encouraged and should include classroom center work and performance work in both classical and contemporary.  Please arrive to the audition by 1:30 in order to process the $20 audition fee.  If you are interested in auditioning, but cannot attend the audition, you can send your information and we will review your submission and issue an invitation to attend a company class audition at a later date.  

Ballet News

It's officially announced! Join us in welcoming Ryan T. Jolicoeur-Nye as our first Artistic Director.  Read our press release:

Bentonville, AR (October 14, 2017) — Margie C. Bordovsky, Founder and President of the NWA Ballet Theatre Board of Directors, announced today that Ryan T. Jolicoeur-Nye has been selected as the Artistic Director of NWA Ballet Theatre, the region’s premiere professional ballet company.  
 
NWA Ballet Theatre, a 501(c)(3) not-profit entity, was established in 2011 by Margie Bordovsky, Mariah Bordovsky, and the late Peggie Wallis to offer professional quality performances locally without residents having to travel several hours away. Since its founding, Margie Bordovsky’s passion and creative energy guided and shaped the development of NWA Ballet Theatre, along with the invaluable talents of Emalie Coen, but she knew a talented Artistic Director would be needed to fulfill the long-term vision for the company. Mrs. Bordovsky stated, “We’ve had success doing projects with the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra (Carnival of the Animals and the Carnegie Hall Education Series), MasterSeries performances of Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, as well as our outreach programs, but I knew we had to find an innovative ballet professional to take us to the next level.   To guide this search, our Board of Director’s established very high standards for this position.  Aside from extensive experience dancing with a major ballet company, the candidate needed the skills to engage and coach contracted dancers, manage productions, choreograph, and properly reflect the professional image and core values of the company.  From the beginning, we felt it was important to ensure all NWA Ballet Theatre projects would remain appropriate for families, so we sought a candidate who could produce new dynamic works, as well as the ballet classics, while sharing our values and high standards. Ryan wonderfully fulfills all of our requirements and we feel very fortunate to have someone of his caliber lead NWA Ballet Theatre into the spotlight.”  
 
Mr. Jolicoeur-Nye is originally from central Maine and began his training at the age of 16. After a year of studying under renowned Kirov dancer, Andrei Bossov, he joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Professional Division on full scholarship. During his time in Winnipeg, Ryan had the opportunity to work with many international choreographers as well as create three of his own works. While still a student, he danced several performances the with company, including soloist roles in The Nutcracker. Upon graduating from RWB, Ryan was asked to attend the Banff Summer Arts Festival where he performed the principal role in Fernand Nault’s Carmina Burana. Ryan would go on to dance for Festival Ballet of Providence, Eugene Ballet, and Ballet Idaho where he was promoted to Principal dancer in 2011. In 2012, Ryan joined Kansas City Ballet where he danced several principal roles, including Jerome Robbin’s Fancy Free, Septime Webre’s Alice in Wonderland, Michael Pinks Dracula, as well as Devon Carney’s Swan Lake, Giselle and The Nutcracker. Ryan has performed as a guest artist with Oklahoma City Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Boise Dance Co-op, and Festival Ballet of Providence. He has performed works by choreographers such as George Balanchine, Vicente Nebrada, Devon Carney, Hans Van Manen, Rudi Van Dantzig, Mark Godden, John Neumeier, Helen Pickett, Yuri Possokhov, Jorden Morris, Ma Cong, Viktor Plotnikov, Robert Mills and many more. 

As a choreographer, he has created ballets for Ballet Idaho, Kansas City Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, and the Kansas City Dance Festival. He has also had his work performed by dancers from companies all across the U.S. and Europe including Alberta Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, and the Finnish National Ballet. Ryan’s work has been presented on stage alongside choreographers such as Christopher Wheeldon, George Balanchine, Marco Goecke, Ma Cong, Mathew Neenan, Garrett Smith, Davide Bombana and Douglas Lee. Recently, Ryan was named “Outstanding Choreographer” at the 2017 Youth American Grand Prix where he was recognized for his Kansas City Ballet School piece, Concerto 21. His choreography has been featured in KC Studio magazine and was recently performed by Niigata Ballet (Japan). In February 2017, his solo The Painter, was presented at the alumni gala for The Harid Conservatory. In addition to his role with NWA Ballet Theatre, Ryan will be serving as second company manager with Kansas City Ballet. 
 
Bordovsky began talks with Jolicoeur-Nye in June and then invited him to visit the area and interview with the Board of Directors. By the first week of August an agreement was made. " I am thrilled to accept the position of Artistic Director for NWA Ballet Theatre, a company centered around a wonderful community,” says JolicoeurNye, “It has always been a dream of mine to become an Artistic Director and I can't think of a better place to begin that voyage. This is a position that comes with great responsibility and one that I take very seriously. As the company looks to the future I am dedicated to expanding the reach of NWA Ballet Theatre, to the entire northwest region of Arkansas, from our company performances to our educational outreach programs. It is my goal to create and foster a world-class ballet company for the people of our community, spreading my love and passion of the arts to all. " I am stepping into a wonderful organization full of passionate and devoted ambassadors for the community and I look forward to mirroring that devotion. I plan to serve Northwest Arkansas with diligence and virtue in all that NWA Ballet Theatre has to offer." 
 
The NWA Ballet Theatre organization hopes the community will join in Jolicoeur-Nye’s enthusiasm and become passionate ballet patrons. Those who are interested in volunteering or want to become private or corporate sponsors can visit NWA Ballet Theatre’s website at www.nwaBalletTheatre.org for information on becoming part of The Barre Society (guild) or a Friend of the Ballet.  “There are so many ways to be a part of this magic,” says Bordovsky, “and we are right here in your own backyard, Northwest Arkansas!”  
 
Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye is married to Rachael Nye, a former principal ballet dancer and Day Program Principal at Kansas City Ballet. They have two children, Amelie and Isaac. 
 
NWA Ballet Theatre will be performing as guest artists for The Nutcracker produced by NWA Conservatory of Classical Ballet on December 2 and 3 at The Arend Arts Center. To purchase tickets, you can go online to www.tututix.com/NWAConservatoryOfBallet.