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Ballet Wichita returns with spring performance and Wichita Grand Opera collaboration

Christmas often is the time most people associate with Ballet Wichita, which produced its 48th annual “Nutcracker” in December.

Now, though, the company is returning with its first spring performance in many years.

This year’s production is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which artistic director David Justin called “a fabulous fairy tale full of mischief and love and humor.”

He said he hopes it’s the first of more spring and other shows to come.

“We’re trying to grow our audience and really get a sense of the city and the community’s support for this kind of programming,” he said.

“We have a really strong board of directors that is trying to grow the company into a professional, year-round group.”

The company is considered semi-professional now.

There will be two performances of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” — at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday at the Orpheum Theatre.

Prior to the performance, Ballet Wichita and the Wichita Grand Opera are coming together for a short performance that Justin describes as “kind of like an appetizer.”

His dancers will perform his piece “Poets’ Songs” while on another part of the stage Grand Opera general and music director Whitney Reader plays piano and tenor Brendan Boyle sings the the music of Franz Schubert.

“The musicians and the dancers occupy the space at the same time, and it’s a really incredible connection you get between the two as you’re watching,” Justin said.

He said the collaboration came about “because I’m new, and I’m just trying to learn the landscape of the arts community. I’ve been working really hard to meet as many arts leaders as I can.”

In November, Reader played music while Ballet Wichita dancers performed at the Wichita Art Museum’s Art Chatter event.

“It went over so well,” Justin said. “Everybody loved it so much.”

He called Reader “such a great collaborator.”

“All arts organizations, really, in my opinion — and in my hope — are open to working with and helping each other because a high tide floats all boats,” Justin said.

He said it’s one of the ways the performing arts community will grow and become stronger.

Justin said that “ballet is one of the places where all of the art forms come together at once.”

He said there is the visual aspect of costumes and backdrops, and dancers have “an amazing combination of art and athleticism.”

Then there’s music.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which Justin choreographed, is based on the Shakespeare play with the music of Felix Mendelssohn.

“It’s really famous music,” Justin said.

That includes what’s become known as the “Wedding March.”

“That music was written by Mendelssohn for ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ ” Justin said. “It’s really amazing.”

For this production, Justin said the music will be recorded, not performed live like for “Poets’ Songs.”

“We value live music so much, but it’s a large undertaking and costs lot of money,” he said.

Still, Justin said the show will be moving and have laughter and maybe even tears.

“Ballet can touch a place in your soul that language isn’t sometimes able to reach.”

Justin said it’s about putting yourself in a place that allows you to be moved.

“I don’t want to sound highfalutin, but ballet is powerful.”

For anyone who doubts that, he said, “They won’t know until they go.”