An Historical Look at George Balanchine’s Jewels

Jewels. The name sounds expensive and perfect for a box-office hit. But when Balanchine’s “plotless full-length ballet,” as it was touted, premiered at New York City Ballet on April 13, 1967, it had no title, only three sections called Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds. (Balanchine explained, “I thought of doing sapphire, too—I had Schoenberg […]

Peter Boal on Jewels

With each Pacific Northwest Ballet production, Artistic Director Peter Boal creates a Director’s Notebook. We’re inspired today to bring you his latest editorial for JEWELS, giving you a glimpse into the business behind ballet.


By Peter Boal

Sometimes, just after the curtain […]

2017-09-28T22:55:20-07:00September 28th, 2017|Categories: Director's Notebook, Performances|Tags: , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on Peter Boal on Jewels

The making of PNB’s new Jewels

George Balanchine’s Jewels celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and we’re throwing the biggest birthday party possible! All new costumes and sets are coming to PNB’s production of Jewels. But these things don’t happen overnight. Read on for breathtaking photos AND facts about the process of stitching it all together!

2017-09-22T00:51:37-07:00September 22nd, 2017|Categories: Performances|Tags: , , , , , , , |Comments Off on The making of PNB’s new Jewels

Behind the scenes at PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION

On opening night of each repertory production, Artistic Director Peter Boal sends a note to PNB staff with a few bullet points about the show. Secrets are revealed, names are dropped, and questions are answered! We look forward to these behind-the-scenes notes as each production comes around the corner.

PICTURES AT […]

2017-06-02T23:52:53-07:00June 2nd, 2017|Categories: Director's Notebook, Performances|Tags: , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on Behind the scenes at PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION

Artistic Director’s Notebook: La Source, Opus 19/The Dreamer, Pictures at an Exhibition

Artistic Director’s Notebook: La Source, Opus 19/The Dreamer, Pictures at an Exhibition

PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION is a program of three PNB premieres: George Balanchine’s La Source, Jerome Robbins’ Opus 19/The Dreamer, and Alexei Ratmansky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Read on for PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal’s notes on the program, including […]

2023-10-10T11:59:56-07:00May 16th, 2017|Categories: Director's Notebook, Performances|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on Artistic Director’s Notebook: La Source, Opus 19/The Dreamer, Pictures at an Exhibition

Wardrobe: Types of Tutus

I am sure you have realized, but PNB is honored to have one of the best Wardrobe Departments in the business. Each morning I pass by the Costume Shop. I am fascinated to see the repairs and constructions for the upcoming PNB performances.

At the beginning of the season when I first […]

Director’s Notebook: American Stories

Anyone ever heard of Lincoln Kirstein? It’s okay if you haven’t; even George Balanchine didn’t know who he was when Kirstein walked up to him in Paris in 1933. In the post-Diaghilev era in Europe, Balanchine was trying to find footing as a choreographer. He had just presented his new venture, titled Les […]

2016-05-31T12:00:57-07:00May 31st, 2016|Categories: American Story, Director's Notebook, Performances|Tags: , , , , , , , |Comments Off on Director’s Notebook: American Stories

Q&A: Matthew Renko on NEXT STEP

Matthew Renko. Photo by Linsday Thomas.
Matthew Renko. Photo by Linsday Thomas.

Matthew Renko is from Tampa, Florida. He studied at Columbia Conservatory of Dance, North Carolina School of the Arts with Warren Conover, Kee-Juan Han, and Melissa Hayden, and on […]

American Stories: Dylan Wald, Company dancer

I remember clicking on what looked to be another ballet video on YouTube. This time though, the women were in black and the men in white. It was the first time I had seen a ballet like this. I was captivated by a male solo. I later learned it was Peter Boal in George Balanchine’s […]

2016-05-16T17:00:28-07:00May 16th, 2016|Categories: American Story, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Accessibility (I.D.E.A.)|Tags: , , , , , , |Comments Off on American Stories: Dylan Wald, Company dancer
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