Ballet, with its grace, elegance, and storytelling through dance, is an art form that deserves to be shared and celebrated by a broad and diverse audience. Recognizing this, the Philippines’ premiere classical ballet company, Ballet Manila, has joined forces with ARETÉ, the hub of creativity and innovation within Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU).
The Unveiling of a Transformative Partnership
The partnership was recently unveiled at the Hyundai Hall, ARETÉ, located within ADMU’s inspiring campus. This collaboration opens the doors for the two institutions to co-produce a series of captivating ballet shows at this stunning venue. With this venture, more Filipinos, especially those from Quezon City and nearby areas, will have an alternative venue to experience the magic of Ballet Manila, beyond its usual home at Aliw Theater.
ARETÉ: A Hub of Creativity and Innovation
ARETÉ is a dynamic space that offers theaters, art galleries, studios, laboratories, makerspaces, teaching and meeting rooms, and several open areas. Likewise it provides a fertile ground for groups from various fields and disciplines to create, collaborate, and share knowledge, skills, and practices. As a matter of fact this partnership brings the world of classical ballet into this vibrant creative space.
Empowering a Vision: Bringing Ballet to the Masses
Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer, expressed her excitement about this collaboration, saying, “Ballet Manila’s partnership with Ateneo’s ARETÉ came at a very opportune time. Certainly fresh from concluding our 25th performance season, we’re looking to sustain the momentum by co-producing more shows that will reach a broader audience base. Bringing ballet to the people and more people to the ballet has always been Ballet Manila’s mission and vision.”
For Dr. Ricardo Abad, ARETE’s Artistic Director, this partnership represents an opportunity to spark interest in the performing arts among more Filipinos. He exclaimed, “I’ve dreamt of a partnership like this for Areté, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled to discover that Lisa shared a similar vision for Ballet Manila. Furthermore, it’s evident that this partnership will fortify our creative and social missions, as we actively aim to engage with diverse audiences and communities. Join us in this effort.”
Unveiling “Romeo & Juliet”
To kick off this exciting partnership, Ballet Manila will re-stage Martin Lawrance’s modern and Filipinized iteration of “Romeo & Juliet.” This performance, part of Ballet Manila’s recently concluded 25th performance season, “Of Hope & Homecoming,” promises to captivate audiences once again. Mark your calendars for the following show dates: September 16, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and September 17, 2023, at 5:00 p.m., all taking place at the Hyundai Hall, ARETÉ, Ateneo de Manila University.
Ticket Information
To secure your tickets for these enchanting performances, simply visit Ticketworld at www.ticketworld.com.ph. So don’t miss this chance to experience the beauty and magic of ballet in a stunning venue brought to you by Ballet Manila and ARETÉ.
Lastly, as the curtains rise on this transformative partnership, Ballet Manila and ARETÉ are set to make ballet more accessible, engaging, and inspirational to a wider audience, enriching the cultural tapestry of Manila and beyond.
