Avon-Based Ballet Company Has Special Show In West Hartford This Weekend

WEST HARTFORD/AVON, CT — Culture and dance will be on full display in West Hartford this Saturday, with a special performance by an Avon-based regional ballet company on tap.

The New England Ballet Theatre will present "Ballet Unbound," an evening of contemporary ballet premieres, on Saturday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. at Hoffman Auditorium at the University of Saint Joseph, 1678 Asylum Ave., West Hartford.

Tickets are available at this link.

The program features three new works by emerging and established choreographers, highlighting the evolving nature of ballet and its continued relevance for modern audiences.

The performance comes amid broader public discussion about the future of traditional performing arts.

In a recent viral interview, actor Timothée Chalamet joked that he did not want to work in ballet or opera, describing them as art forms where people are trying to “keep this thing alive… even though no one cares about this thing anymore.”

Leaders of the regional dance company say the reaction from their audiences tells a different story.

“Ballet isn’t a museum piece,” said Rachael Gnatowski, artistic and executive director of New England Ballet Theatre.

“It’s a living art form created by artists today, for audiences today. If people think no one cares about ballet anymore, we invite them to come see what’s happening on stage.”

The company is offering a 10 percent ticket discount with the code “CHALAMET10,” valid through Friday, in an effort to encourage new audiences to attend the performance.

New Works Featured

Ballet Unbound is the company’s signature contemporary program and will feature three premieres:

• A new ballet by guest choreographer Julia Antinozzi, a Connecticut native named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch.”
• A premiere by Juliana Godlewski, recipient of the company’s Young Choreographer Award.
• A new work choreographed by Gnatowski.

Company officials said the program is designed to showcase contemporary ballet as an innovative and evolving art form.

About the Company

Now in its sixth year, New England Ballet Theatre is a nonprofit performing arts organization that presents professional dance performances and educational programs aimed at expanding access to ballet throughout the community.

To purchase tickets for Saturday's program, click on this link.