DANCE

Opening its 2011-2012 Season, Dominic Walsh Dance Theater presents its Fall Mixed Rep. October 13, 14 & 15, 2011 at 7:30 PM at Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zilkha Hall.

This mixed bill follows Walsh's rise to becoming a leading choreographer with a revival of his Katharsis; the Houston premiere of The Whistling that was created for Ballet Austin's 2010 New American Talent Choreographic Competition; an inventive World Premiere by Walsh; and the U.S. premiere of duets from Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti's Certe Notti and Come Un Respiro ballets, along with a surprise appearance by Lauren Anderson, (pictured), one of Houston's favorite ballerinas, in Walsh's The Dying Swan solo.

2011-2012 marks Dominic Walsh Dance Theater's tenth anniversary season and to celebrate this milestone, there's an exciting line-up of prized works by Walsh, brilliant pieces from the iconic choreographers in our repertoire, star dancers from around the world, and some of Houston's most beloved ballerinas.

This star-studded season opens with the October mixed bill and Lauren Anderson will perform Walsh's unforgettable The Dying Swan! Anderson danced with Houston Ballet from 1983 to 2006, performing leading roles in all the great classical ballets, appearing across the world to critical acclaim, and in the process, becoming one of Houston Ballet's most beloved stars. She trained exclusively at Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy from the age of seven. She joined Houston Ballet in 1983 and in 1990 became the first African-American to be promoted to principal dancer at Houston Ballet – and one of the few African-American ballerinas at the head of a major ballet company anywhere in the world.

"The very first Principal role I danced was with Lauren in 1990. Since that time, we have created a fantastic rapport in ballets like Don Quixote, Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Dracula, and of course, Cleopatra which was created for us. There is no doubt that Lauren has the 'it' factor! There is magic and light that supports her as she walks on to the stage, and I know she will give a sincere and heartfelt interpretation of my Dying Swan," says Walsh.

Photos below by Jim Caldwell, Drew Donovan, Gabriella Nissen Photography, and Tony Spielberg courtesy of Ballet Austin.