Ravinia 2024 Issue 1

BENNETT GORDON HALL 7:30 PM THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024 1:30 PM SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2024 RUTH PAGE PROFESSIONAL DANCE AND FRIENDS RUTH PAGE PROFESSIONAL DANCE TRAINING PROGRAM STONE SOUP RHYTHMS MOONWATER DANCE PROJECT † Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program “Gamzatti’s Friends” from La Bayaderé Stone Soup Rhythyms Excerpts from Cheap Suites & Hotels Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program “Gamzatti’s Friends” from La Bayaderé –Intermission– Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program Premiere choreography by Adrián Marcelo Sáenz Apophenia Moonwater Dance Project Montage Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program Choreograped by Francisco Aviñain 2023 La Tierra de Canela y Maíz THE RUTH PAGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS SARA S. SCHUMANN, executive director VICTOR ALEXANDER, Ruth Page School of Dance, director DOLORES LONG, Ruth Page School of Dance, associate director MARAY GUTIERREZ RAMIS, Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program, artistic associate EMMANUEL RAMIREZ, repertory coach SARAH LACKNER, technical director † Ravinia debut These performances are part of The Ruth Page Festival of Dance , an annual series of dance performances presented by Ravinia in collaboration with The Ruth Page Foundation and honoring one of Chicago’s most celebrated dancers of all time. RUTH PAGE FESTIVAL OF DANCE “To the history of dance, she left several chapters of innovation. … And to the world of dance, she left a legend.” —Ann Barzel, dance critic “Among our most American icons is this pioneer woman dedicatedly scanning the distant frontier.” —John Martin, New York Times For many, Ruth Page (1899–1991) and dance in Chicago are synonymous. She performed, toured, choreographed, and produced in all parts of the world, but her legacy was not just in being an acclaimed American ballerina. She was an early creative force, breaking boundar- ies between classical and modern dance through a complex fusion of choreography beyond her classical training. She collaborated with some of the greatest artists of the 20th century, includ- ing Irving Berlin, Antoni Clave, Aaron Copland, Sergei Diaghilev, Katherine Dunham, and Isamu Noguchi. Ruth Page also brought world-class dance to Chicago’s stages as Ballet Director of the Chicago Opera Ballet, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Ravinia Opera. In 1965, Ruth Page presented Chicago with a beautiful holiday gift—original choreography of The Nutcracker that would become a beloved classic for the entire family, performed annually at the Arie Crown Theater until 1997. This full- length work lives on in a dazzling annual pro- duction that celebrates young artists and inter- national guests with an audience that includes countless generations of fans. In 1971, having already established herself as an internationally acclaimed artist and arts patron, Ruth Page created a performing arts center and school of dance where artistic excellence could thrive. The Ruth Page Center for the Arts stands today as an example of how far her legacy has grown. More than just a building, it is a hub for creative exploration, connection, and expres- sion. The Ruth Page Center is widely recognized as an integral part of the global dance commu- nity not only for its history of artistic excellence and innovation through its founder, but also for the progressive programs that are important to dance artists at every level of development. An enduring part of the Ruth Page legacy is the long-standing artistic relationship between the Ravinia Festival and the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, which helps ensure that dance is repre- sented as part of Ravinia’s annual programming. In partnership with Ravinia, the Ruth Page Festival of Dance presents local, national, and international dance companies on the festival grounds or at one of Chicago’s large venues. To learn more about The Ruth Page Center for the Arts’ programs and initiatives, please visit www.ruthpage.org. RAVINIAMAGAZINE • JUNE 7 – JUNE 30, 2024 72