Ballet Talk with Pacific Northwest Ballet

Momotaro Community Day Panel

Tue, 05 May 2026 15:19:05 -0700

Moderator Mari Horita (Seattle Kraken, One Roof Foundation) and panelists Caitlin Oiye Coon (Archives Director, Denshō), James Yoichi Moore (Former PNB Principal Dancer, PNB School Faculty), and AC Petersen (Librettist, Lyricist, Playwright) discuss how arts, culture, and storytelling can help to express identity and advance inclusion. Read more about Momotaro Community Day and the panelists here.

Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA on March 28, 2026.

Rep 5 - Giselle (2025/26 Season)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:00:13 -0700

Doug Fullington takes our audience through ballet's preeminent ghost story, Giselle. Fullington talks about the origins of the ballet including the history of multiple versions of the ballet from France and Russia, in depth on Giselle's mad scene, PNB dancers premiering in new roles, and answer audience questions.

Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA on April 10, 2026.

PNB Company Dancers Amanda Morgan & Melisa Guilliams with Trae Holiday

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:55:13 -0700

Converge Media host Trae Holiday guests as moderator for the Dress Rehearsal Conversation ahead of PNB's fifth rep of the 2025/26 Season, Giselle. Listen as Trae interviews soloist Amanda Morgan and corps de ballet member Melisa Guilliams about their careers with Pacific Northwest Ballet and their experiences playing Myrtha, queen of the Wilis in Giselle.

Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in Seattle Center's Marion Oliver McCaw Hall on April 9, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.

Rep 4 - Little mortal jump, Red Angels, Firebird (2025/26 Season)

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:01:15 -0700

Doug Fullington introduces Pacific Northwest Ballet's fourth repertory of the 2025/26 season, FIREBIRD. On this triple bill program are Alejandro Cerrudo's Little mortal jump, Ulysses Dove's Red Angels, and Kent Stowell's Firebird. Doug covers Alejandro Cerrudo's residency at PNB, Peter Boal's history with Red Angels, fun facts about Firebird after a 20-year hiatus including Stravinsky conducting Firebird Suite in Seattle!

Recorded live in Seattle, WA in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall at Seattle Center in March 2026.

PNB Company Dancer Lucien Postlewaite - PNB Conversation Series

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:59:08 -0700

Listen to Artistic Director Peter Boal and retiring PNB Principal dancer Lucien Postlewaite in conversation ahead of Rep 4 in PNB's 2025/26 Season, FIREBIRD. The two cover a brief history of Lucien's life in dance, building his legacy at PNB and beyond, and passing along choreography in Ulysses S. Dove's Red Angels.

Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in Seattle Center's Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA in March 2026.

Rep 3 - Kent Stowell's Cinderella (2025-26 Season)

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:03:35 -0800

PNB collaborator Doug Fullington talks through the history of the Cinderella story in ballet form. His Ballet Talk touches on Sergei Prokofiev's score, Kent Stowell's choreographic vision for PNB's version of the ballet, PNB's costume archives, and more!

The Seattle Times calls Kent Stowell’s Cinderella “warm and joyous and deeply moving.” This ballet combines the story you know and love with spectacular choreography, Prokofiev’s familiar score, and superb design with Stowell's collaborators Tony Straiges (scenic design), Martin Pakledinaz (costume design), and Randall G. Chiarelli (lighting design).

Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA in February, 2026.

Rep 2 - AfterTime, The Window, In the Upper Room (2025/26 Season)

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 16:46:30 -0800

Enjoy Doug Fullington's pre-show Ballet Talk for PNB's IN THE UPPER ROOM program. Doug talks through IN THE UPPER ROOM's triple-bill production including the premiere of AfterTime, a new work by PNB Company dancers Amanda Morgan and Christopher D'Ariano; Dani Rowe's intimate trio The Window; and Twyla Tharp's ballet blockbuster, the mesmerizing In the Upper Room. Fullington talks through each work and the collaborations that brought each to life, including that all three pieces on the program feature custom-composed scores from Fiona Stocks-Lions and Thomas Nickell (AfterTime), Shannon Rugani (The Window), and Philip Glass (In the Upper Room).

Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA in November, 2025.

Rep 1 - George Balanchine's Jewels (2025/26 Season)

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 13:18:03 -0700

The first rep of Pacific Northwest Ballet's 2025/26 season marked the return of George Balanchine’s Jewels to the stage after an eight-year hiatus. This trio of ballets features glittering scenic and costume design by Jérôme Kaplan and a perfect assortment of quintessential choreography by George Balanchine. Emeralds evokes French elegance, Rubies brings the glamor and jazz of America, and Diamonds recalls the grandeur of Balanchine’s native St. Petersburg. Doug Fullington takes you through the history of George Balanchine's Jewels, his musical collaborators (Gabriel Fauré, Igor Stravinsky, and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky), the original NYCB dancers and their relationships with PNB, and more!

Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle in October, 2025.

Rep 6 - ...throes of increasing wonder, cracks, Nine Sinatra Songs (2024/25)

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 12:42:47 -0700

Listen along as dance historian Doug Fullington takes the Ballet Talk audience through the three works featured in Pacific Northwest Ballet's final performances of the 2024/25 Season. Twyla Tharp’s American masterpiece Nine Sinatra Songs is still sharp 40 years after its premiere. In it, Tharp effortlessly floats between dance genres, set to the familiar strains of Frank Sinatra hits. Two pieces from innovative choreographers Rena Butler and PNB’s own Kiyon Ross round out the program. Kiyon Ross' ...throes of increasing wonder and Rena Butler's world premiere work for PNB cracks finish off this triple-bill of three entertaining dance works.

Recorded live in the Nesholm Famliy Lecture Hall inside Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in June, 2025.

Choreographer Rena Butler - PNB Conversation Series

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:39:56 -0700

Enjoy this episode featuring Pacific Northwest Ballet Associate Artistic Director Kiyon Ross in conversation with choreographer Rena Butler ahead of the world premiere of her new work for PNB, Cracks. The two speak on Rena's upbringing in Chicago, her journey from dancer to choreographer, insights into her detailed choreographic process, and her current cultural inspirations.

This episode was recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA on May 29, 2025.

Premiering Roméo et Juliette dancers Angelica Generosa, Dylan Wald, Luther DeMyer, Kuu Sakuragi - PNB Conversation Series

Tue, 27 May 2025 13:11:39 -0700

Jean-Christophe Maillot’s contemporary version of Roméo et Juliette requires that dancers tap into unique skills of storytelling. Converge Media host Trae Holiday moderated this conversation with PNB dancers performing iconic roles for the first time. Listen to Angelica Generosa (Juliet), Dylan Wald (Romeo), Luther DeMyer (Friar Laurence), and Kuu Sakuragi (Mercutio) talk through how they got their starts in ballet, their insights into their characters, and more! Recorded in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at Seattle Center's McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington in April, 2025.

Rep 5 - Roméo et Juliette (2024/25)

Thu, 22 May 2025 16:57:41 -0700

Listen as guest Ballet Talk lecturer Anne Searcy takes an introductory tour through PNB's fifth repertory program of the 2024/25 Season, Jean-Christophe Maillot's Romeo et Juliette. Anne Searcy is an Associate Professor of Music History at the University of Washington. Searcy covers the basic story itself, puts the original Shakespeare play in historical context, and gives a brief history of the various versions of the ballet including the version from Jean-Christophe Maillot and Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo that PNB performs. She also gives an overview of the character-based musical themes in Sergei Prokofiev's orchestral score and outlines how these themes work to tell the story of the ballet through the music. Learn more about Anne Searcy and her work here: https://music.washington.edu/people/anne-searcy. Recorded in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at Seattle Center's McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington in April, 2025.

Building a New Work with Price Suddarth and Collaborators - PNB Conversation Series

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 13:03:00 -0700

Listen to local Seattle arts journalist Marcie Sillman in conversation with PNB Company dancer Price Suddarth and collaborators on his new ballet Dawn Patrol. Hear from Price, choreographic assistant Emma Love Suddarth, scenic designer Chrisoula Kapelonis, composer Alfonso Peduto, lighting designer Reed Nakayama, and costume designer Mark Zappone. The collaborators talk through the inspiration for Dawn Patrol, the collaborative creative process between each other and the dancers at Pacific Northwest Ballet, and answer audience questions. Price Suddarth's Dawn Patrol premiered on March 14, 2025 at Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle. Recorded in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at Seattle Center's McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington in March, 2025.

Rep 4 - Emergence (2024/25)

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:34:06 -0700

Enjoy Doug Fullington's pre-show Ballet Talk for PNB's EMERGENCE program. Doug talks through EMERGENCE's quadruple-bill production including the premiere of Dawn Patrol, a new work by PNB Company dancer Price Suddarth; Jerome Robbins' intimate Afternoon of a Faun; Marco Goecke's solo work Mopey; and another audience favorite of Crystal Pite's, the mesmerizing Emergence.

Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA on March 15, 2025.

Rep 3 - The Sleeping Beauty (2024/25)

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:45:44 -0800

Join dance historian and The Sleeping Beauty stager Doug Fullington as he introduces Pacific Northwest Ballet's brand new production of The Sleeping Beauty in this Ballet Talk episode. Fullington covers the history of the ballet's original choreography by Marius Petipa and score by Peter Tchaikovsky, the process of restaging an 1890 ballet for modern audiences, this new productions talented collaborators (including Preston Singletary, Paul Tazewell, and Basil Twist), and answers audience questions.

Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA on February 9, 2025.

Rep 2 - All Balanchine (2024/25 Season)

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 12:18:07 -0800

Dance historian Doug Fullington gives an ALL BALANCHINE overview. He covers the brief histories of George Balanchine and his legacy, including the founding of New York City Ballet, staging Balanchine ballets and the George Balanchine Trust, and Balanchine's collaborators on the three works in PNB's ALL BALANCHINE program. This triple bill features Square Dance (1957), Prodigal Son (1929), and Stravinsky Violin Concerto (1972).

Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at Seattle Center's McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington in November 2024.

Premiering Prodigal Sons with Jonathan Batista and Kuu Sakuragi - PNB Conversation Series

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 14:40:41 -0800

Listen to Peter Boal in conversation with two PNB dancers dancing the titular role in George Balanchine's Prodigal Son for the first time. Jonathan Batista and Kuu Sakuragi talk through their personal histories with Prodigal Son, their experiences through the rehearsal process, and answer audience questions.

Recorded in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at Seattle Center's McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington in November, 2024.

Hispanic Heritage Month Panel

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:13:03 -0700

In observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, and in partnership with Casa Latina Seattle, El Centro de La Raza, Joyas Mestizas, KEXP, and Union Cultural Center, in October 2023 PNB hosted Baila Conmigo, a community open house. Held at PNB’s Seattle Center studios, this free, public event featured dance performances by PNB Company dancers and local dance group Joyas Mestizas, a kids’ movement class led by Mestre Silvinho, and a panel discussion moderated by Movimento Afrolatino Seattle founder Monica Rojas, with PNB dancers Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan and Jonathan Batista, El Sonido host DJ Albina Cabrera, and Joyas Mestizas Co-Director Luna Garcia.

We are pleased to offer this panel discussion as a podcast, with transcripts available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. We hope you enjoy listening, reading, and celebrating these local creatives.

Click here to read the English Transcript >> https://www.pnb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PNB_Hispanic_Heritage-Panel-English-Transcript-2023-1.pdf

Click here to read the Spanish Transcript >> https://www.pnb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PNB-Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Panel-_SPANISH.pdf

Click here to read the Portuguese Transcript >> https://www.pnb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PNB-Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Panel_Portuguese.pdf

En conmemoración del Mes de la Herencia Hispana, y en asociación con Casa Latina Seattle, El Centro de La Raza, Joyas Mestizas, KEXP y Union Cultural Center, en octubre de 2023, PNB organizó Baila Conmigo, una jornada de puertas abiertas comunitaria. Celebrado en los estudios del PNB Seattle Center, este evento público gratuito contó con presentaciones de danza de bailarines de la compañía PNB y el grupo de danza local Joyas Mestizas, una clase de movimiento para niños dirigida por Mestre Silvinho y un panel de discusión moderado por la fundadora del Movimento Afrolatino Seattle, Mónica Rojas, con Los bailarines de PNB Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan y Jonathan Batista, la presentadora de El Sonido, la DJ Albina Cabrera y la codirectora de Joyas Mestizas, Luna García.

Nos complace ofrecer este panel de discusión como un podcast, con transcripciones disponibles en inglés, español y portugués. Esperamos que disfrute escuchando, leyendo y celebrando a estos creativos locales.

Em comemoração ao Mês da Herança Hispânica, e em parceria com a Casa Latina Seattle, El Centro de La Raza, Joyas Mestizas, KEXP e Union Cultural Center, em outubro de 2023 o PNB sediou o Baila Conmigo, um open house comunitário. Realizado nos estúdios do PNB Seattle Center, este evento público e gratuito contou com apresentações de dança dos dançarinos da PNB Company e do grupo de dança local Joyas Mestizas, uma aula de movimento infantil liderada por Mestre Silvinho, e um painel de discussão moderado pela fundadora do Movimento Afrolatino Seattle, Monica Rojas, com Os dançarinos do PNB Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan e Jonathan Batista, a apresentadora do El Sonido, DJ Albina Cabrera, e a codiretora de Joyas Mestizas, Luna Garcia.

Temos o prazer de oferecer este painel de discussão como um podcast, com transcrições disponíveis em inglês, espanhol e português. Esperamos que você goste de ouvir, ler e celebrar esses criativos locais.

Rep 1 - The Times Are Racing (2024/25 Season)

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 11:09:00 -0700

Doug Fullington introduces PNB's 2024/25 Season with our first performances of the year, THE TIMES ARE RACING. This program includes Edwaard Liang's The Veil Between Worlds, Jessica Lang's Black Wave, and Justin Peck's The Times Are Racing. Doug talks through these three works, the role of rehearsal directors in the ballet creation process, Jessica Lang's appointment as PNB's latest Resident Choreographer, recently promoted soloist dancer Luther DeMyer, and more! Recorded in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at Seattle Center's McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington in September 2024.

Resident Choreographer Jessica Lang - PNB Conversation Series

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 16:24:00 -0700

Listen and learn more about PNB's new Resident Choreographer Jessica Lang! Artistic director Peter Boal interviewed Lang ahead of the premiere of her new work Black Wave in PNB's first performances of the 2024/25 Season. The two cover Jessica's background dancing and choreographing career, the role of a resident choreographer, her experiences so far with PNB, and answers questions from the audience. Recorded in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at Seattle Center's McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington in September 2024.

Rep 6 - Coppélia (2023/24 Season)

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 13:16:00 -0700

Listen and enjoy Doug Fullington's pre-performance Ballet Talk on George Balanchine's Coppélia. Fullington recaps this comedic ballet, its history, and more!

Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA in June, 2024.

Retiring Rehearsal Director Otto Neubert - PNB Conversation Series

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:58:09 -0700

Join Doug Fullington as he interviews PNB's retiring rehearsal director Otto Neubert and PNB School students performing in our final production of the 2023/24 Season, Coppélia. Listen to Otto as he recounts his incredible career from dancing to rehearsal directing, how dance steps and roles are passed dancer to dancer, and Otto's advice to dancers of all ages.

This episode was recorded live in the Nesholm Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA in June, 2024.

Rep 5 - The Seasons' Canon (2023/24 Season)

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 17:13:50 -0700

Join dance historian Doug Fullington as he takes us through the three works of Pacific Northwest Ballet's THE SEASONS' CANON. On stage this rep are Twyla Tharp's Sweet Fields™, Jessica Lang's stunning solo The Calling, and Crystal Pite's mesmerizing work for 54 dancers, The Seasons' Canon. Doug Fullington is the founder and director of The Tudor Choir who sing the Shaker hymns featured in Sweet Fields, as well as the music for The Calling.

Recorded in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at Seattle Center's McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington in April 2024.

Retiring Dancer James Yoichi Moore - PNB Conversation Series

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 16:37:39 -0700

Pacific Northwest Ballet Artistic Director Peter Boal and retiring PNB Principal dancer James Yoichi Moore talk about the ins and outs of James' career as a dancer. They cover his journey as a dancer pre-PNB, his on and off stage collaborators (Noelani Pantastico, Twyla Tharp, Seattle Dance Collective, etc.), his advice for young dancers, and more! Tune in to this conversation for a brief summary of James' contributions to PNB including some rapid-fire questions from Peter and the audience. This episode was recorded live in the Nesholm Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA in April 2024.

Rep 4 - One Thousand Pieces (2023/24 Season)

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:21:00 -0700

Doug Fullington talks PNB audience members through the exciting double-bill program consisting of Matthew Neenan's Bacchus and Alejandro Cerrudo's One Thousand Pieces. Doug covers the music of Oliver Davis and Philip Glass, the costuming, and how dancing in water works in the Cerrudo work. Tune in for this behind the scenes look at Rep 4 of PNB's 2023/24 Season!

Recorded in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at Seattle Center's McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington in March 2024.

PNB Orchestra - PNB Conversation Series

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 17:05:10 -0700

PNB's music director and principal conductor Emil de Cou moderates this Dress Rehearsal Conversation with four members of the PNB Orchestra. Michael Jinsoo Lim (Concertmaster, violin), Jennifer Caine Provine (Associate Concertmaster, violin), Alexander Grimes (viola), and Page Smith (cello) talk with Emil and answer questions from our audience members about playing Philip Glass' music in Alejandro Cerrudo's One Thousand Pieces, film scores, their histories with the PNB Orchestra, and so much more.

This episode was recorded live in the Nesholm Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA in March 2024.

Rep 3 - Swan Lake (2023/24 Season)

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 12:58:23 -0800

Pacific Northwest Ballet welcomes a new host of our pre-show Ballet Talk series, Dr. Anne Searcy! Anne is an Assistant Professor of Music History at the University of Washington.

Listen along as Anne walks our audience through the history of Tchaikovsky's "undanceable" Swan Lake score, the origin of Swan Lake's infamous 32 fouette turns that end Act III of the ballet, and a quick plot summary including deciphering ballet pantomime.

Recorded in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in Seattle Center's McCaw Hall in February, 2024.

Lucien Postlewaite & James Kirby Rogers - PNB Conversation Series

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 16:49:25 -0800

PNB's associate artistic director Kiyon Ross moderates this Dress Rehearsal Conversation with two PNB Principal dancers. Lucien Postlewaite and James Kirby Rogers talk with Kiyon and answer questions from our audience members about playing Prince Siegfried in Kent Stowell's Swan Lake, their interpretations of key moments of the ballet, recurring themes in romantic ballet, and so much more.

This episode was recorded live in the Nesholm Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA in February 2024.

Rep 2 - Love & Loss (2023/24 Season)

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 16:56:34 -0800

Join dance historian Doug Fullington as he takes us through the three works of Pacific Northwest Ballet's second production of the 2023/24 season, LOVE & LOSS. This trio of works created for PNB shines a light on some of the stunning world premieres that our New Works Initiative has created in recent years.

Donald Byrd’s haunting Love and Loss premiered in 2019, Alexei Ratmansky’s stunning tribute to his homeland of Ukraine, Wartime Elegy, followed in 2022, and and the newest new work at PNB, Australian choreographer and Oregon Ballet Theatre's artistic director Dani Rowe's The Window.

Recorded in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at Seattle Center's McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington in November of 2023.

Donald Byrd & Dani Rowe - PNB Conversation Series

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 16:31:52 -0800

PNB artistic director Peter Boal moderates this Dress Rehearsal Conversation with choreographers Donald Byrd and Dani Rowe.

Both Byrd and Rowe have works featured in the second rep of PNB's 2023/24 season, LOVE & LOSS. Both works were made for PNB through PNB's New Works Initiative. Donald Byrd's Love and Loss premiered in 2019, and Dani Rowe's The Window premiered in the LOVE & LOSS program in 2023.

This episode was recorded live in the Nesholm Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA in November 2023.

Rep 1 - Petite Mort (2023/24 Season)

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 15:40:13 -0700

Welcome to PNB's 2023/24 Season opener, PETITE MORT. We’ve packed as much whimsy, artistry, and drama as possible into our 2023/24 season opener.

Built on a foundation of music from Mozart to Beethoven, this triple bill looks at the world of dance through unique shifts in perspective. Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort and Sechs Tänze return after a long hiatus, along with Alexander Ekman’s delightful Cacti. Host Doug Fullington talks through the origins of each of the three works, including the featured musical scores from Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and Schubert.

Recorded in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall inside Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington in September 2023.

Rep 6 - WORLDS TO COME (2022-23 Season)

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 14:45:37 -0700

Join Doug Fullington introducing the final program of PNB's 50th Anniversary Season, WORLDS TO COME. Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in McCaw Hall in Seattle, Doug takes us through the three works that make up the program. Works include the onstage premiere of Edwaard Liang's The Veil Between Worlds, featuring music composed by Oliver Davis, which first premiered during PNB's digital-only season in 2020. Two world premieres round out this triple-bill: Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's Khepri, Kiyon Ross' ...throes of increasing wonder danced to new music composed by Christina Spinei.

Edwaard Liang, Kiyon Ross, & Oliver Davis - PNB Conversation Series

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 16:07:44 -0700

Enjoy this Dress Rehearsal Conversation for the closing rep of PNB's 50th Anniversary season, WORLDS TO COME. This conversation between choreographers Edwaard Liang, Kiyon Ross, and composer Oliver Davis was co-moderated by PNB's music director and principal conductor Emil de Cou and conductor and PNB company pianist Josh Archibald-Seiffer. The group focused on the inspiration and collaboration in composing new music for Liang's The Veil Between Worlds with music by Oliver Davis and Ross' ...throes of increasing wonder with music by Christina Spinei, and cultivating unique relationships between choreographers and living composers. This episode was recorded live in the Nesholm Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA in June 2023.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2022-2023)

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 12:43:36 -0700

In Doug Fullington's pre-performance talk for George Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream, he outlines the plot of the ballet (based on the Shakespeare play of the same name), details the 1997 PNB-specific redesign of the ballet, and the international touring history of the ballet at PNB. Fullington also answers questions from the audience including details about working with The Balanchine Trust and approaching redesigns of works by George Balanchine as well as classical choreographers.

This episode was recorded live in the Nesholm Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA in April 2023.

Giselle (2022-2023 Season)

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 13:28:29 -0800

Doug Fullington takes our audience through ballet's preeminent ghost story, Giselle. Fullington talks about the origins of the ballet including the history of the spectral maidens, the Wilis, Giselle's pantomime and classic choreography, Jerome Kaplan’s costumes and sets, and Adolphe Adam's score.

Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA on February 3, 2023.

In Observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day: A Panel Discussion

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 12:18:16 -0800

In observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, PNB hosted a Community Open House in partnership with Holocaust Center for Humanity, the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Mary Schwartz Summit, the Stroum Jewish Community Center, Temple Beth Am, and Temple De Hirsch Sinai.

This free event featured a panel discussion moderated by PNB faculty member Miriam Landis, with the intention to bring history to life in a way that celebrates hope, inclusion, and resilience. Our sincere gratitude to Miriam and the participating panelists, Rabbi Samuel Klein, Pamela Lavitt, Beverley Silver, Dee Simon, Eva Stone, and Rabbi Daniel A. Weiner for sharing their time and experiences.

Supported by PNB's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Committee

Recorded: Sunday, January 29, 2023 at the Phelps Center in Seattle, WA.

Rep 2 - The Seasons’ Canon (2022-2023 Season)

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 15:04:20 -0800

Join Doug Fullington introducing our second program of the 2022-2023 Season. Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in McCaw Hall in Seattle, Doug takes us through the three works that will be on this program. Works include Catching Feelings, a world premiere from Dwight Rhoden, George Balanchine's Duo Concerto and closing with the North American premiere of Crystal Pite's The Seasons' Canon.

Crystal Pite - PNB’s Conversation Series

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 13:30:30 -0700

This episode of PNB's Conversation Series features choreographer Crystal Pite. She and PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal talk about community and mentorship of young dancers and choreographers, insight into Pite's creation process and collaborators on her work The Seasons' Canon, and her creation timeline for new works on her own company Kidd Pivot. This episode was recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall inside McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington on November 3, 2022.

Rep 1 - Carmina Burana (2022-2023 Season)

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 12:15:19 -0700

Join Doug Fullington in kicking off Pacific Northwest Ballet's 50th Anniversary Season with CARMINA BURANA. Recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall in McCaw Hall in Seattle, Doug takes us through the three works that make up this first rep of the season. Works include George Balanchine's Allegro Brillante, Alexei Ratmanky's world premiere work for PNB, Wartime Elegy, and founding artistic director Kent Stowell's epic Carmina Burana.

Alexei Ratmansky - PNB’s Conversation Series

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 15:53:49 -0700

PNB's Dress Rehearsal Conversation series returns!

Enjoy this conversation between PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal and choreographer Alexei Ratmansky on the eve of the world premiere of Ratmansky's new work, Wartime Elegy. This episode was recorded live in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall inside McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington on September 22, 2022.

Rep 6 - All Tharp (2021-22 Season)

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 17:12:14 -0700

Doug Fullington closes out PNB's 2021-22 Season with an overview of our final rep of the season, ALL THARP. ALL THARP features three of the many varied dance works by legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp. Fullington talks through the Scottish-themed Brief Fling, the nod to Tharp's Shaker roots Sweet Fields, and PNB fan favorite Waiting at the Station.

Swan Lake (2021/22 Season)

Mon, 09 May 2022 15:50:19 -0700

Recorded live at McCaw Hall, enjoy Doug Fullington's pre-show Ballet Talk about Kent Stowell's Swan Lake. Fullington covers a brief history of the ballet, Swan Lake's history at PNB, and answers audience questions.

Rep 4 - Plot Points (2021-2022 Season)

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 10:42:18 -0700

Doug Fullington talks all things PLOT POINTS, PNB's fourth rep of the 2021-2022 Season. Fullington's pre-performance talk from the Saturday night show takes you through Robyn Mineko Williams' world premiere work for PNB Before I Was, David Parsons' Caught, Crystal Pite's Plot Point, and the PNB premiere of Justin Peck's The Times Are Racing.

Ballet Talk Roméo et Juliette (2021-22 Season)

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 11:46:21 -0800

Listen to Doug Fullington's opening night talk about Jean-Christophe Maillot's Roméo et Juliette. Fullington talks through the history of the ballet from Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, Sergei Prokofiev's haunting score, and answers a few audience questions including a few about retiring PNB Principal dancer Noelani Pantastico.

Recorded at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle on February 4, 2022.

Rep 2 - Beyond Ballet (2021-22 Season)

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 16:42:34 -0800

Ballet Talk is back in person! This episode was recorded was recorded on opening night of PNB's second rep of the 2021/22 Season, BEYOND BALLET. Former Manager of Audience Education Doug Fullington walks a small live audience through the three works that make up BEYOND BALLET. As we celebrate internationally acclaimed choreographers Ulysses Dove, Jessica Lang, and Alonzo King, we can find even more beauty in their common threads. The combination of Ulysses Dove's mournful Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven, Jessica Lang's haunting Ghost Variations, and the PNB Premiere of Alonzo King's The Personal Element promises unmatched emotion, expression, and musicality.

Rep 1-Singularly Cerrudo (2021/22 Season)

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 11:23:31 -0700

Join PNB's former Manager of Audience Education Doug Fullington in kicking off the 2021/22 season with SINGULARLY CERRUDO. The triple bill celebrates the creative power of PNB’s Resident Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo in the presentation of his most beloved work. Breathe in the moving tranquility of Silent Ghost, get a tantalizing look at the spectacular teamwork in an excerpt from One Thousand Pieces, and journey through the unexpected twists and turns of Little mortal jump. At the center of it all? Spectacular dancing and Cerrudo’s compelling perspective on humanity.

Rep 6 (Digital Season)

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 12:42:58 -0700

Doug Fullington talks about PNB's conclusion of our first-ever digital season with two world premiere works choreographed, rehearsed, and filmed exclusively for the digital stage by Tony-award winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, and artistic director of Ballet Met, Edwaard Liang. PNB's Resident Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo's cheeky work, PACOPEPEPLUTO, closes out the triple bill.

Coppelia (2020-2021 Digital Season)

Mon, 03 May 2021 12:40:15 -0700

Doug Fullington's pre-performance Ballet Talk on George Balanchine's Coppélia.

Rep 4 (2020-2021 Digital Season)

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 13:45:56 -0700

Doug Fullington's pre-performance Ballet Talk for Rep 4 of PNB's Digital Season features your behind the scenes look at Doris Duke Artist award winner Donald Byrd's world premiere work And the sky is not cloudy all day, and residenct choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo's second premiere for PNB, Future Memory, both created and produced just for the digital stage.

Joining the program is an encore presentation of Alexei Ratmansky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.

Rep 2 (2020-2021 Digital Season)

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 12:57:52 -0700

Doug Fullington is back to guide us through his Ballet Talk for Rep 2 of PNB's Digital Season. Rep 2 celebrates a lineage of female choreographers each with their own bright and arresting perspective. Doug guides us through the world premiere works Ghost Variations by Jessica Lang and Penny Saunders' Wonderland; each created for the digital stage, conceived, rehearsed, and produced during the pandemic. These new works were joined by a series of male solos from Twyla Tharp's Waterbaby Bagatelles and a new-to-PNB work by Susan Marshall, Arms.

Rep 1 (2020-2021 Digital Season)

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 12:44:06 -0700

Doug Fullington kicks off Pacific Northwest Ballet's first rep of our digital season. Rep 1 features solos and socially distanced gems from Kent Stowell’s Swan Lake, George Balanchine’s Jewels, and Jerome Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering to PNB audience favorites like Ulysses Dove’s Red Angels, Jessica Lang’s The Calling, and Marco Goecke’s Mopey.

Roméo et Juliette (2020-2021 Digital Season)

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 13:00:59 -0800

Doug Fullington takes us behind the scenes of Jean-Christophe Maillot's Roméo et Juliette.

Q & A - Music Librarian, Mona Butler

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 13:24:29 -0700

Mona Butler has been a bassoonist in Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra since the orchestra was founded in 1989, and PNB's Music Librarian since the position was created in 1996. Marketing Assistant Maris Antolin sat down with Mona in late February to talk about what a Music Librarian does, the years-long process of putting together the orchestra parts for Alejandro Cerrudo's One Thousand Pieces, and the hard-working artists of PNB's orchestra.

Themes & Variations (2018-2019 Season)

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 16:47:06 -0700

In 2015, Price Suddarth was the youngest choreographer to create a work for Pacific Northwest Ballet - we're happy to have Signature back this season. George Balanchine's Tarantella is a total showpiece, originally choreographed for NYCB firecrackers Patricia McBride and Edward Villella (the same original cast for Rubies). José Limón's The Moor’s Pavane is a dramatic and emotional re-telling of Shakespeare’s Othello, all in the form of two couples dancing. And we close the performance with George Balanchine's Theme and Variations, which is the ultimate display of classical ballet.

A Midsummer Night's Dream (2018-2019 Season)

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 16:59:39 -0700

We have performed A Midsummer Nights' Dream over 100 times in the history of Pacific Northwest Ballet, we have taken it on tour to many places including Istanbul, Hong Kong and Scotland. In fact, Doug Fullington went on the 2001 tour to London (where it was filmed and released by the BBC) and was in charge of the 24 student "bugs"! Learn how ballet companies have to get permission from the Balanchine Trust to alter George Balanchine's works, and who started out as a Hound, and is now performing the role of Titania.

Q & A - Costume Shop Manager, Larae Hascall

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 16:10:26 -0700

After 36-years of working in the PNB costume shop, Larae Hascall has some stories to tell. In her final season as Costume Shop Manager, we get to ask questions about the original build of A Midsummer Night's Dream and all the nitty gritty behind the scenes details. The interview was led by Audience Education Manger, Doug Fullington.

Director's Choice (2018-2019 Season)

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 12:35:08 -0700

Doug Fullington always has the inside scoop on all things PNB: we learn why Bacchus’ costumes are hues of purple, his admiration of Alicia Walter’s voice in Robyn Mineko Williams’ The Trees The Trees, and the challenges of conducting an Orchestra for ballet (which Doug is doing in Director’s Choice!).

The Sleeping Beauty (2018-2019 Season)

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 20:31:50 -0800

No one is better suited to take you through the rich history of The Sleeping Beauty than Doug Fullington. He explains the "Vision Scene" and how it emulates the super natural ballets of the 1800's, like Giselle and La Sylphide. This production closely follows the Royal Ballet's version of The Sleeping Beauty. It's staged by Ronald Hynd who joined the Royal Ballet in 1951 and his wife Annette Page often danced the role of Aurora there. They set the ballet on us in 2001, and eighteen years later, this will be the last time we perform this version of The Sleeping Beauty.

All Premiere (2018-2019 Season)

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 12:38:36 -0800

The ALL PREMIERE program includes three new-to-Seattle dance works and Doug Fullington, Audience Education Manager gives you all the information you need to know to best enjoy this performance. Kyle Davis' A Dark and Lonely Space uses the music of cinematic composer, Michael Giacchino (Up, Coco, the new Stars Wars) and a cast of 24 dancers for his first commission for PNB. Silent Ghost is the second work on the program, choreographed by Alejandro Cerrudo. It is an intimate work without being sentimental, and leaves you wanting more. Cacti is Alexander Ekman's response to the culture of arts critics. This hilarious commentary on contemporary dance is a must see (plus you won't want to miss Doug Fullington CONDUCTING the Orchestra in this work!).

Love & Ballet (2017-2018 Season)

Fri, 01 Jun 2018 22:19:29 -0700

Doug Fullington brings you the behind the scenes of LOVE & BALLET. All four of these ballets were choreographed in the last 13 years, Christopher Wheeldon created After the Rain pas de deux for New York City Ballet in 2005 and Tide Harmonic for Pacific Northwest Ballet in 2015. Benjamin Millipied created Appassionata for Paris Opera Ballet in 2016 and Year of the Rabbit put Justin Peck on the map in 2012. Thank you for supporting the ballet!

Emergence (2017-2018 Season)

Sat, 14 Apr 2018 21:45:46 -0700

Doug Fullington dives into the histories and complexities of this mixed bill (called EMERGENCE) that includes Alejandro Cerrudo's Little mortal jump, Yuri Possokhov's RAkU and Crystal Pite's Emergence. Thank you for listening!

Director's Choice (2017-2018 Season)

Sat, 17 Mar 2018 16:42:29 -0700

Doug Fullington, our Audience Education Manager, talks about how Ezra Thomson's world premiere, The Perpetual State, is inspired by the real-life passing of his father, why William Forsythe removed Slingerland Duet from PNB's program the year it premiered, and the "trigger choreography" of Forsythe's One Flat Thing, reproduced. If you would like to do a deep dive into One Flat Thing, reproduced, Doug recommends visiting Ohio State University's Synchronous Objects.

Swan Lake (2017-2018 Season)

Sat, 03 Feb 2018 16:37:44 -0800

Audience Education Manager Doug Fullington changes up the regular lecture format, and dedicates the 30-minutes of Ballet Talk to a Q&A for the attending audience. He answers questions like, "do the dancers look forward to this ballet?" and "are there different endings to Swan Lake?". Of course, as always, Doug is an encyclopedia of dance and music history and he has the audience laughing with his replies.

And don't forget, you can always listen to Ballet Talk live, one hour before every performance at McCaw Hall.

Her Story (2017-2018 Season)

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 19:23:27 -0700

Doug Fullington shines the light on the unique-to-PNB works in Her Story. While Peter Boal did not intend to create a repertory including exclusively female choreographers, that's what happened with works by Twyla Tharp, Crystal Pite and Jessica Lang.

Q&A with Crystal Pite

Thu, 02 Nov 2017 22:05:16 -0700

We were fortunate to have choreographer Crystal Pite in our studios for 4 weeks as she choreographed and reworked Plot Point. Originally choreographed for Nederlands Dans Theater in 2010, we are proud to present the American premiere here in Seattle.

The evening before opening night, PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal had a few questions for Crystal. Hear her discuss her beginnings in ballet, her own Company, Kidd Pivot and of course, Plot Point.

Jewels (2017-2018 Season)

Mon, 25 Sep 2017 13:00:04 -0700

Did you know the first performance of Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds a) wasn't even called Jewels and b) was on a mixed bill that included Prodigal Son? PNB Audience Education Manager Doug Fullington is back with all of his historical fun facts and insider knowledge about how we get our ballets from studio to stage. And don't forget, you can always listen to Ballet Talk (previously Pre-Performance Lectures) live, one hour before every performance at McCaw Hall.

Pictures at an Exhibition (2016-2017 Season)

Fri, 02 Jun 2017 20:00:44 -0700

Doug Fullington takes us behind the scenes on the last rep of our season, Pictures at an Exhibition. George Balanchine choreographed La Source to help push an upcoming dancer (John Clifford) to his highest potential, Jerome Robbins choreographed Opus 19/The Dreamer on Mikhail Baryshnikov during the year he was a dancer at New York City Ballet, and we learn why Alexei Ratmansky chose Wassily Kandinsky's work as the backdrop for Pictures at an Exhibition.

Q&A with Wendy Whelan

Fri, 02 Jun 2017 11:11:32 -0700

Peter Boal does a Q&A with Wendy Whelan, chatting about her first staging experience (with Ratmansky's Pictures at an Exhibition), her new documentary Restless Creature, and how she was recently published in The New York Times writing about her first time dancing a Balanchine ballet (which coincidentally was the same day he died).

Ballet on Broadway (2016-2017 Season)

Mon, 17 Apr 2017 11:03:17 -0700

Doug Fullington takes us behind the scenes on Ballet on Broadway. He talks about the climactic moment in Wheeldon's Carousel (A Dance), reminds us about the ballet-within-a-play concept of Balanchine's Slaughter on Tenth Avenue and has a few stories about Jerome Robbins' reputation for being a strict task-master.

Director's Choice (2016-2017 Season)

Fri, 17 Mar 2017 20:38:15 -0700

Doug Fullington (PNB's Audience Education Manager) introduces the three ballets included in Director's Choice: David Dawson's Empire Noir, William Forsythe's New Suite and Jessica Lang's Her Door to the Sky.

Cendrillon (2016-2017 Season)

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 20:25:58 -0800

Doug Fullington (PNB's Audience Education Manager) discusses Jean-Christophe Maillot's Cendrillon. He talks about the evolution of full-length story ballets and the way Maillot's Cendrillon is different from your traditional Cinderella.

Brief Fling (2016-2017 Season)

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 11:36:41 -0800

Doug Fullington talks about how we became the first company to perform Brief Fling music with a live orchestra, how the couples in Forgotten Land could be seen as the various stages of a relationship, and the amazing speed with which George Balanchine choreographed Stravinsky Violin Concerto, in honor of the death of Igor Stravinsky.

Tricolore (2016-2017 Season)

Mon, 10 Oct 2016 13:51:41 -0700

Audience Education Manager, Doug Fullington takes us behind the scenes of Tricolore (Benjamin Millepied's 3 Movements, Appassionata and George Balanchine's Symphony in C).

American Stories (2015-2016 Season)

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 14:53:56 -0700

Audience Education Manager, Doug Fullington takes us behind the scenes of American Stories (George Balanchine's Square Dance, Jerome Robbins' Fancy Free and Twyla Tharp's Waiting at the Station).

Coppélia (2015-2016 Season)

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 14:52:38 -0700

Audience Education Manager, Doug Fullington takes us behind the scenes of George Balanchine's Coppélia.

Director's Choice (2015-2016 Season)

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 14:51:55 -0700

Audience Education Manager, Doug Fullington takes us behind the scenes of Director's Choice (Justin Peck's Year of the Rabbit, Alejandro Cerrudo's Little mortal jump, and Paul Gibson's Rush).

Romeo et Juliette (2015-2016 Season)

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 14:50:41 -0700

Audience Education Manager, Doug Fullington takes us behind the scenes of Jean-Christophe Maillot's Roméo et Juliette.