Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre at the Chautauqua Institution

August 24, 2013/martha

The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre wrapped up their summer with a debut performance at the venerable Chautauqua Institution amphitheater in southwestern New York. Energized by the fresh lake air, the dancers charmed the captivated crowd with diverse ballets including Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes by Mark Morris, and Jardin Aux Lilas (Lilac garden) by Antony Tudor. The evening ended with Dwight Rhoden’s kinetic Step Touch and a standing ovation from a sated audience.

Click on the image below to view the slideshow:

Two of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's newest corp dancers, Ruslan Mukhambetkaliyev and Diana Yohe, pose along the shore of Chautatuqua Lake before performing at the Chautauqua Institution.
Principal dancer Christine Schwaner watches rehearsal from the wings.
Pointe shoes are a visual testament to the many hours of practice and persistence.
Christine Schwaner and Yoshiaki Nakano perform Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes by Mark Morris.
Alejandro Diaz and Alexandra Kochis in Lilac Garden, a ballet about love by Antony Tudor.
Alejandro Diaz and Julia Erickson in Lilac Garden, where every move tells a story.
Yoshiaki Nakano and Amanda Cochrane perform "The Peasant Pas de Deux" from Giselle.
Dwight Rhoden’s swing ballet Step Touch is inspired by signature Doo Wop songs.
Christine Schwaner flies high in Step Touch.
The waterfront is silent after night falls on Chautauqua Lake.