Emerging Voices

Fri, Apr 12, 8pm; Sat, Apr 13, 2pm & 8pm

$30 (free preview reception 5:30 pm, 4/11; RSVP: eventbrite.com/e/58870938562).

press release: Yeah, there are the dancing snowflakes and waltzing flowers, but when you get right down to it  . . . ballet is sexy. Or at least it will be in Madison Ballet’s steamy Emerging Voices, opening for one weekend only on April 12 at the Bartell Theatre.

    A collection of short, original and edgy works, “My favorite is a very beautiful modern piece by choreographer Mariana Oliveira called Stabat Mater,” says Interim Artistic Director Sara Stewart Schumann. “It has very cool lighting effects, and the costumes are very simple with the men bare-chested and the women with bare legs in black leotards.”

This is ballet for people who think they don’t like ballet. “It is the most hauntingly gorgeous work that I’ve seen in a long time,” she adds.

There are five choreographers and five pieces, set to music including jazz, pop, opera, and works by Phillip Glass, Schoenberg, and the rock band The Killers.

“Even if you don’t know a thing about dance, you will find the whole gamut,” says Stewart Schuman. “The goal in putting these works on the same program is to give the audience the treat of finding some unexpected pleasure in watching dance, and discovering that they didn’t know could be so much fun.”

Another unexpected pleasure is the choice of venue and opportunity for interaction. “It’s so intimate at the Bartell,” she says. “You are really close to the dancers. Watching all that action -- so close you can feel the dancers’ moves from your seat.”

    Choreographers for Emerging Voices include Hanna Brictson, company member Andrew Erickson, Tom Mattingly, Mariana Oliveira and Stewart Schumann. The audience will be able to meet some of the choreographers as well as the company at a special April 11 preview.

In December, the ballet launched the Grand Jeté Capital Campaign, a fundraiser to support its new facility (opening May 1), and the establishment of the new role of CEO. To date, more than $615,000 has been raised.

Madison Ballet presents Emerging Voices at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 12 and at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at the Bartell Theatre, 113 E. Mifflin St. Tickets are $25-$30, and student rush tickets may be available day of show for $10. To purchase or for more information call (608) 258-4141 or visit madisonballet.org.

A free preview on Thursday, April 11, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the theater will include a portion of one of the featured works. For additional information, visit madisonballet.org/events.