Full schedule for USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson MS

Ed Inman
| Special to the Mississippi Clarion Ledger

Ballet dancers representing 17 nations throughout the world will converge in Jackson June 10-24 to compete in the 12th USA International Ballet Competition.

“Showcasing artistic excellence, the USA IBC is a platform for dancers to test their skills against the highest international standards,” said Mona Nicholas, executive director. “Jackson is respected as a prestigious competition that launches dance careers. We anticipate a thrilling competition.”

Designated as the official international ballet competition of the United States by Joint Resolution of Congress the event is normally held every four years in Jackson but was delayed one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The dancers who are competing include approximately 55 in the senior division (ages19-28) and 45 in the junior division (ages 15-18).

Medals, company contracts, apprenticeships, scholarships and more than $200,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. All dancers who advance to Round 3 will receive a $1,500 stipend to offset travel costs.

Contents

Opening ceremony
Competitions and ceremonies:
Arts and lecture series:
Lecture by the USA IBC Honorary Chairman Ben Stevenson, OBE
Dancer 12 presented by Jack Howard-Potter, Wednesday, June 14,
Mr. B: George Balanchine’s Twentieth Century presented by Jennifer Homans
The World of August Bournonville Lecture presented by Frank Andersen
Other events:
Project Tutu
Competitor Autograph Party
Dance School Scholarship Showcase
Andrew Bucci Exhibit
Class observation opportunities:
USA IBC Competitor Observation Classes
USA IBC Dance School Observation Classes

Opening ceremony

The Gertrude C. Ford Opening Ceremony will be held beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Thalia Mara Hall, beginning with the Parade of Nations honoring the countries represented by the competitors and jury. Accompanied by the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the competitors take center stage as they represent their countries and the best of the ballet world. Following the ceremony, The Washington Ballet, led by Artistic Director Julie Kent and including many competition alumni, will perform company repertoire. Tickets for this event range from $42 to $70.

The official competitions begin Sunday, June 11. Here is a roundup of the complete schedule of events:

Competitions and ceremonies:

Round I – Classical

Sunday, June 11 – Tuesday, June 13, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. daily

Thalia Mara Hall / Matinee: $10 – $15 Evening: $20 – $25

Spread over six sessions, the audience will have the chance to see the competitors perform their classical

repertoires. Soloists perform two pieces and couples perform a pas de deux during each session.

Round II – Contemporary

Thursday, June 15 – Saturday, June 17, 7:30 p.m. daily

Thalia Mara Hall $25 – $35

Semi-finalists return to the stage to demonstrate their artistry and athleticism as they present a contemporary piece and vie for a coveted spot in the finals.

Edward Stierle Contemporary Showcase

Saturday, June 17, 2 p.m.

Belhaven University Center for the Arts (Riverside Drive) $15

This performance showcases the contemporary repertoires and talents of the competitors eliminated after the classical first round.

Round III – Classical and Contemporary

Monday, June 19 – Wednesday, June 21, 7:30 p.m. daily

Thalia Mara Hall $35 – $55

Finalists perform new classical and contemporary pieces with the goal of being awarded a medal and cash prizes.

Awards Gala

Friday, June 23, 7:30 p.m.

Thalia Mara Hall $55

Featuring music by the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the Awards Gala is the highly anticipated presentation of awards and medals. Audience members will enjoy Jury-selected performances by the winners.

Entergy Grand Prix Ball

Friday, June 23, 10 p.m.

Jackson Convention Complex $100

Join us after the Awards Ceremony at the Jackson Convention Complex for the Grand Prix Ball to celebrate the dancers’ accomplishments while dancing to the soulful sounds of The Chill.

C Spire Encore Gala

Saturday, June 24, 7:30 p.m.

Thalia Mara Hall $20 – $65

Come to see the best of the best as the finalists perform their finest works for the last time at the competition! Accompanied by the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, these masterful performances conclude the festivities of the 2023 USA International Ballet Competition.

Arts and lecture series:

There will also be an arts and lecture series running in conjunction with the competitions as follows:

Lecture by the USA IBC Honorary Chairman Ben Stevenson, OBE

Monday, June 12, 11 a.m. Jackson Convention Complex $20

Ben Stevenson trained in dance at the Arts Educational School in London. Upon graduation, he was awarded the prestigious Adeline Genee Gold Medal, the highest award presented to a dancer by the Royal Academy of Dance. Known as one of ballet’s great storytellers, Stevenson has received numerous awards and the highest accolades for his choreography. After 27 years as the Artistic Director at the Houston Ballet, Stevenson was named Director Emeritus and the Company’s academy was named for him. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999 for his outstanding contributions to the dance world. Continuing his lifetime of achievement, Mr. Stevenson served as the Artistic Director for the Texas Ballet Theater for eighteen years until his retirement in 2022.

Dancer 12 presented by Jack Howard-Potter, Wednesday, June 14,

10 a.m. Jackson Convention Complex $20
Jack Howard-Potter is a Steel Sculpture Artist from New York. His sculpture Dancer 10 traveled on loan from the Mathews-Sanders Sculpture Garden at Delta State University to the 2018 USA IBC and was so well-received that Howard-Potter was commissioned to create Dancer 12 for the 12th USA IBC competition this June. The large scale figurative sculpture was installed and unveiled as a permanent fixture on the plaza of Thalia Mara Hall in October 2022. This one-of-a-kind sculpture is sponsored by Downtown Jackson Partners. Additional smaller scale sculptures by Howard-Potter will be on display at Thalia Mara Hall during the June 10-24 competition dates.

Mr. B: George Balanchine’s Twentieth Century presented by Jennifer Homans

Sunday, June 18, 2 p.m. Jackson Convention Complex $20
Jennifer Homans is a dancer, author and dance critic for The New Yorker. Homans trained at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and School of American Ballet before dancing professionally with the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Her first book Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet was described by the New York Times as “the only truly definitive history of ballet.” Homans was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship which started her work on Mr. B: George Balanchine’s 20th Century published in 2022. Both books were nominated for a National Book Critics Circle Award.

The World of August Bournonville Lecture presented by Frank Andersen

Thursday June 22, 10 a.m. Jackson Convention Complex $20
Frank Andersen trained at the Royal Danish Ballet School at the Royal Theater and was later appointed Principal Dancer at the Royal Danish Ballet during his career with the company. Andersen was the originator of the “Bournonville Group” with principals of the Royal Danish Ballet. The troupe, based on the works and philosophies of French-influenced Danish ballet master and choreographer August Bournonville, toured the world to wide acclaim. Bournonville’s classical ballet creation La Sylphide is one of the most influential as well as one of the oldest surviving works in classical ballet. Andersen, the Commander of Danish Dannebrog Order, has also held many roles as Artistic Director with such companies as the Royal Danish Ballet and the Royal Swedish Ballet. Mr. Andersen is a 2023 USA IBC jury member.

Other events:

Project Tutu

The Westin Hotel
Project Tutu is a Tutu Design Competition modeled after the famed “Project Runway.” It is sponsored by Tutu.com and USA IBC. Amateur and professional Tutu-makers from all over the world are invited to compete for prizes. Events will include a Tutu.com Fashion Show, Thursday, June 22 at 1:30 p.m.; a Tutu.com Silent Auction
May 23-June 22 with a chance to bid on these exquisite, hand-made, costume pieces; and a Tutu School Monday, June 14- Thursday, June 18. If you’d like to become involved in this celebrated event as a competitor or sponsor, please contact event organizer Claudia Folts at Claudia@Tutu.com. To learn more, please visit www.usaibc.com/tutu/

Competitor Autograph Party

Friday, June 16, 10:30 a.m.
Jackson Convention Center first floor $20
Meet the competitors after class and get their autographs! The ticket cost includes a commemorative autograph booklet.
Want to observe a Competitor Class before the party? Observation Class tickets are available for purchase.

Dance School Scholarship Showcase

Friday, June 23 – 2:30 p.m. $10
Belhaven University Bitsy Irby Studio 4
Come see the USA IBC Dance School students perform works from their two weeks of intensive dance training. Celebrate the students’ accomplishments as awards and scholarships are announced.

Andrew Bucci Exhibit

Monday, June 19 – Saturday, June 24
Brown’s Fine Art
Andrew Bucci (1922-2014) continues to be one of Mississippi’s most celebrated visual artists. He first served as the official artist for the USA IBC in 2014 and was selected again this year for his untitled painting of a dancer. The 2023 USA IBC official poster is sponsored by Bank Plus. A free exhibit of Bucci’s works will be displayed at Brown’s Fine Art in Fondren from June 19 – June 24.

Class observation opportunities:

Competitor and Dance School Observation Classes give patrons the opportunity to observe the classes and masterclasses that competitors and dance students take daily.

USA IBC Competitor Observation Classes

Jackson Convention Complex, 105 East Pascagoula Street

Competitor Classes will be available for observation from Sunday, June 11 – Saturday, June 17. Note: arrive 10 minutes prior to class start time

Sunday, June 11 – 9 a.m. $10

Competitor Observation Class

Monday, June 12 – 9 a.m. $10

Competitor Observation Class

Tuesday, June 13 – 9 a.m. $20

Masterclass with Angel Corella, Philadelphia Ballet, Artistic Director

Wednesday, June 14 – 1 p.m. $10

Competitor Observation Class

Thursday, June 15 – 1 p.m. $10

Competitor Observation Class

Friday, June 16 – 9 a.m. $20

Masterclass with Ashley Wheater, Joffrey Ballet, Artistic Director

Friday, June 16 – 1 p.m. $10

Competitor Observation Class

Saturday, June 17 – 9 a.m. $10

Competitor Observation Class

USA IBC Dance School Observation Classes

Belhaven University – Bitsy Irby Studio 4

Dance School Classes will be available for observation from Sunday, June 11 – Thursday, June 22. Observation Sessions are held 9-10:45 a.m., 11-12 p.m., and 1:15-2:15 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Note: arrive 10 minutes prior to class start time

Sunday, June 11 – 10 a.m. $20

Masterclass with Andile Ndlovu The Washington Ballet (levels 3 & 4)

Sunday, June 11 – 1 p.m. $20

Masterclass with Andile Ndlovu The Washington Ballet (levels 1 & 2)

Monday, June 12 – 9 a.m. – 2:15 pm $10