Milwaukee Ballet's Second Company Presents "Momentum"

Milwaukee Ballet’s Second Company takes center stage during their annual performance of Momentum, a four-piece mixed repertory program. The 23 dancers of Milwaukee Ballet II (MBII) will perform on January 20 and March 2 at Baumgartner Center for Dance in the We Energies Performance Studio.

Momentum features three contemporary and neo-classical works and a classical favorite, all highlighting the MBII dancers’ impressive training and artistry.

“I am delighted by the range of work that this talented group of up-and-coming artists will present,” says MBII Artistic Director Mireille Favarel. “Our dancers have gone above and beyond in preparing these challenging pieces that showcase their technical and emotional abilities.”

The production will begin with the excerpt “Grand Pas Classique” from Marius Petipa’s Paquita, a staple of the classical repertoire that has enchanted audiences for centuries. Following that will be the restaging of former Resident Choreographer Timothy O’Donnell’s At World’s End, which was first created for MBII in 2014; an exquisite pas de deux Rêverie by new MBII Rehearsal Director Davit Hovhannisyan; and a high-energy piece Synergy by Water Street Dance Milwaukee Artistic Director Morgan Williams.

“My first season as MBII Rehearsal Director has been an absolute pleasure thus far,” reflects Hovhannisyan, a former Leading Artist with Milwaukee Ballet. “Getting to create a work on two of our fantastic dancers makes it that much more special, and I am proud to present it to our Momentum audiences”

Outside of Momentum, Milwaukee Ballet II is an integral part of Milwaukee Ballet. MBII dancers regularly perform in mainstage Company productions, including The Nutcracker. Community engagement programs are also a key part of the dancers’ experience, as they lead workshops and performances at schools, senior centers, and other local organizations.

“Our MBII dancers are wonderful and work so hard,” praises Favarel. “I am in awe of what they can do at such a young age and I know the audience will be, too. I expect great things from all of them this season and beyond.”

Performance Information Momentum will take place on January 20 and March 2 at Baumgartner Center for Dance in the We Energies Performance Studio. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased online at www.milwaukeeballet.org or through the Milwaukee Ballet Box Office at 414.902.2103. The performance schedule is as follows:

• Saturday, January 20, 2:00 PM

• Saturday, January 20, 7:00 PM

• Saturday, March 2, 2:00 PM

• Saturday, March 2, 7:00 PM

The 2023/24 MBII Program is presented in loving memory of Dolores & R. Goeres Hayssen by their children: Anne Hayssen & Charles Ferrell, Robert & Jill Hayssen, Charles & Helen Hayssen, James & Joan Hayssen, and Thomas and Theresa Hayssen. Milwaukee Ballet’s 2023/2024 Season is presented by Donald & Donna Baumgartner with support from United Performing Arts Fund, Wisconsin Arts Board, CAMPAC, Milwaukee Arts Board, and the National Endowment for the Arts.