PNB Blog
PNB School Retirements: Denise Bolstad and Abbie Siegel
PNB School director Peter Boal recently announced the retirements of esteemed PNB School faculty members Denise Bolstad and Abbie Siegel. Denise Bolstad, PNB School Managing Director, will retire at the conclusion of Summer Course, and Abbie Siegel, PNB School Principal, will retire from her position after School Performance.
Artistic Director’s Notebook: Roméo et Juliette 2025
"I still marvel at the audacity and honesty of this production. I know some of you are returning to this familiar work while many will see it for the first time. I hope you share my awe and admiration. Know the cast members you see today stand on the shoulders of past casts who continue to shape choreography and individual interpretations. A torch is being passed, and it’s lighting the way to the streets Verona..."
Grief, Hope, and the Ethereal Body | Amanda Morgan, NEXT STEP 2025
PNB Company dancer Amanda Morgan shares her inspirations for her upcoming NEXT STEP work.
Roméo et Juliette Character Guide
In Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette, we see the story from Friar Laurence’s perspective. This adaptation focuses on the characters and their powerful emotions. Click here to familiarize yourself with the key characters in this ballet!
The Impact of Institutional Giving
Krishna Washburn, artistic director for Dark Room Ballet, the co-director of Telephone, blind teacher of audio description for dance, and activist, explains the reason why audio description for dance performance is so important.
Choreographer’s Notebook: Crystal Pite on Creating Emergence
Crystal Pite drew on a fascinating combination of inspiration for Emergence, including the structure of a ballet company, insects, and more. Learn more about her creative process for this piece in her own words.
Which Jerome Robbins Ballet are You?
PNB’s current program, EMERGENCE, features Jerome Robbins’ iconic ballet Afternoon of a Faun. PNB has several of Robbins’ ballets in our repertoire. Today, we’ve picked three of our favorites for a short quiz: Afternoon of a Faun, Dances at a Gathering, and Fancy Free. If you were a Jerome Robbins’ ballet, which of these would you be? Find out with this quick quiz!
Artistic Director’s Notebook: Dawn Patrol, Afternoon of a Faun, Mopey, and Emergence
When Crystal Pite suggested [Emergence] for PNB, she explained that her inspiration came from a book on ants, brains, cities, and software... On opening night in 2013, I wondered how audiences would react as a hot flood light interrupted endless silhouettes of writhing dancers, while the descending curtain signaled a statement made. After seconds of stunned silence, a deafening ovation filled the house. In that moment, we were united in wanting more of Crystal Pite’s singular brilliance. Great art has a way of unifying us and allowing us to see humanity in its most expressive, poignant, and powerful ways.
Five Reasons Why Roméo et Juliette is a Must-See
Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette is a beautiful retelling of the classic story. The power of the Shakespeare play is only made more poignant through the power of dance and live music, as young love blooms, grows, and overwhelms before your eyes. Click here to learn why this ballet is a must-see!