Single Tickets on Sale Sept. 2, Starting at Just $35
Ballet West‘s company dancers are back, prepping for the new season that includes dynamic sword-fighting scenes that require in-depth training, from fatal duels in Romeo & Juliet, encounters with Captain Hook in Peter Pan, and the return of Nutcracker Prince up against the Mouse King in The Nutcracker.
Mastering the Art of Ballet Combat
Under the guidance of Sword Master Bruce Caldwell, a former principal dancer for over 20 years at Ballet West and now Rehearsal Director and Company Archivist, Ballet West dancers are learning a specialized skill that combines athletic precision with artistic expression. The training process is meticulous: dancers must master proper weapon handling, coordinate attack and defense sequences, and develop the stamina needed for extended fight scenes, all while maintaining ballet’s signature lines and musicality.
“The sword-fighting has to be so carefully arranged and we have to rehearse it over and over again at very slow speed so that when the dancers hear the music up to speed, their bodies react because of muscle memory,” explains Caldwell, who has documented every single sword movement in what he calls his “Bible” – a comprehensive guide to the thousands of individual engagements that make up the complete fight sequences.
To make the ballet come alive, Ballet West assembled a team back in 1976 that included Olympic fencer Stephen White, who brought cinematic quality to the intricate fight sequences. Choreographer Smuin also ensured the scenes weren’t just pure fencing by weaving dance movements throughout the combat.
Male dancers execute dramatic double tours or soaring jumps with swords raised for attack, while female dancers perform pirouettes with blades overhead before striking. The result transforms realistic combat into balletic art, where swords become extensions of the dancers’ natural lines.
Safety remains paramount throughout the intensive training. Each weapon is crafted from lightweight material with blunt tips and dulled edges, though Caldwell emphasizes that even these theatrical swords demand respect and precision.
Experience Ballet West On Tour
For those looking for even more dance action, get a head start on the season with Ballet West’s first performance on Sept. 12 at 7:30pm at the Ogden Amphitheater! Ballet West artists will perform Vinicius Lima’s Elis, Gerald Arpino’s L’Air D’Esprit and Light Rain, and the world premiere of Analog 13, choreographed by former Ballet West Demi-Soloist Joshua Whitehead and performed by Ballet West II.
Tickets are available at: https://www.onstageogden.org/show-item/ballet-west-ogden-amphitheater/
Additional tour dates include:
- New York, NY – Oct. 7-12 at The Joyce Theater (Light Rain)
- Ogden, UT – Nov. 28-30 (The Nutcracker)
Visit https://www.balletwest.org/events/on-tour for complete tour information.
Single tickets for each program will be on sale Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 10 AM, with prices starting at just $35, ensuring ballet remains accessible to newcomers and longtime enthusiasts alike. Subscribers enjoy exclusive benefits, including free ticket exchanges, up to 40% off single-ticket prices, and priority seating.
For tickets and information, visit BalletWest.org or call 801-869-6900. Single tickets go on sale Sept. 2 at 10 AM.
ABOUT BALLET WEST
Ballet West, led since 2007 by Artistic Director Adam Sklute, has been celebrated for innovation and excellence since 1963. Based in Salt Lake City, it presents classical masterpieces, historic works like America’s longest-running Nutcracker, and groundbreaking creations with unparalleled artistic standards.