“Velocity is well named. It is a headlong gallop of virtuosic dance that is stamped with the classical technique, yet races ahead with explosive twists which test the dancers’ skills.” – The Sydney Morning Herald

HOUSTON BALLET PROGRAM

VELOCITY

cHOREOGRAPHY BY STANTON WELCH

MUSIC BY MICHAEL TORKE

“Velocity is true classical dance at its most agile and exciting. I’m playing with the speed and agility of classical ballet. This work tests the limits and talents of the dancers, because they’re going as fast as they can, pushing their technique and bravado.”
-Stanton Welch

Stanton Welch, born in Australia, is a world-renowned choreographer and Artistic Director of Houston Ballet since 2003. He has created over 100 ballets known for their technical brilliance, emotional depth, and innovative blend of classical and contemporary styles. His works have been performed by major companies such as The Australian Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet, among others. Under his leadership, Houston Ballet has grown into one of America’s top ballet companies, recognized for its bold and diverse repertoire.

This electrifying piece showcases the dancers’ extraordinary agility and skill, celebrating the beauty of high-speed movement in a way that defies traditional ballet norms.
The innovative set is designed by Kandis Cook, inspired by the geometric compositions of Dutch painter Piet Mondrian. This artistic influence reflects a meticulous organization of shapes and colors, enhancing the ballet’s dynamic energy.
“I knew I wanted to do a ballet that was very linear, sharp, angled-something sleeker than what I had done before in the classical world. An exploration of lines and clarity drew me to the Mondrian paintings. He worked with such basic colors and straight lines to create something so beautiful.” – Stanton Welch
Velocity is set to two dynamic orchestral works by American composer Michael Torke, whose compositions are characterized by their vibrant sonorities and intricate textures.

Tickets

SAT, OCT 19 | 7:30PM

Mahalia Jackson Theater
New Orleans, Louisiana

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MORE about Velocity

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ABOUT HOUSTON BALLET 

With over 50 years of rich history, Houston Ballet has evolved into a company with a budget of $37.6 million and an endowment of $97.5 million (as of June 2023), making it the country’s fourth-largest ballet company. Its $46.6 million state-of-the-art performance space, the Houston Ballet Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance opened in April 2011. In addition, Houston Ballet’s reach is global, touring theaters in Dubai, London, Paris, Moscow, Spain, Montréal, Ottawa, Melbourne, New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Tokyo and more.

Australian choreographer Stanton Welch AM has served as Artistic Director of Houston Ballet since 2003. Welch has choreographed 43 new works for Houston Ballet during his tenure while ensuring the growth of the Company’s repertoire by presenting works from George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, John Neumeier, and Jerome Robbins. Welch continues the legacy of Houston Ballet being a choreographic Eden by commissioning over 30 works from world-renowned choreographers including Aszure Barton, Trey McIntyre, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Justin Peck. Julie Kent joined Welch as Artistic Director in 2023, after serving as Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet from 2016 – 2023 and following a storied career as a Principal ballerina of American Ballet Theatre – the longest-tenured dancer in ABT’s 85-year history. Executive Director James Nelson serves as the administrative leader of the organization, a position he assumed in February 2012 after serving as the Company’s General Manager for more than a decade.

Beyond its stage presence, Houston Ballet maintains a strong foothold in continuing to foster a love for dance in future generations. Its Education and Community Engagement program reaches more than 85,000 individuals in the Houston area annually. Houston Ballet Academy trains more than 1,000 students every year, producing more than 60 percent of the extraordinary artists that comprise Houston Ballet’s current Company.

For more information on Houston Ballet, visit houstonballet.org