23-24 Carmina Burana - Other - Page 4
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR - NFB
Dear Friends:
Todd Eric Allen
NFB Artistic Director & CEO
Thank you for being part of the Northwest Florida Ballet’s 54th
season! As the years tick by, it hardly seems possible that our organization has entertained families and provided excellence in dance
education for over half a century. And you, our faithful patrons,
remain integral to that legacy! As with all of our seasons, 2023-2024
has become one of the most exciting collections of productions yet.
In November we presented our first mainstage production of the season, the 44th annual
performance of The Nutcracker. As the only full-length production of this classic holiday fairytale
in the area, we delighted audiences with a spectacular cast of NFB company members, international guest artists, and more than 100 local children. The talented Northwest Florida Symphony
Orchestra (NFSO) musicians, under the direction of NFB Music Director David Ott, also provided
live musical accompaniment.
Today, we are pleased to welcome you back to the Mattie Kelly Arts Center for our highly
anticipated collaboration with the NFSO for Carl Orff’s powerhouse masterpiece Carmina Burana.
A celebration of spring and new beginnings, this inspiring program is a mesmerizing mix of live
music, opera and dance featuring the NFSO, led by maestro Todd Craven, and the choreography of
Gregory and Marjorie Schramel of New Orleans Ballet Theatre (NOBT), performed by NFB dancers
and soloists from NOBT. Rising operatic world stars, including Sarah Vautour, Chris Bozeka and
Ben Taylor, and the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale, round out this incredible ensemble of
artists for Carmina Burana.
Our season concludes with On the Edge at 7:30 p.m. on June 15, also at the Mattie Kelly Arts
Center. This unique production features the artists of NFB with international guest artists from
Ballet Memphis, Ballet San Antonio, Ballet Idaho and Colorado Ballet performing a mix of
cutting-edge contemporary, neoclassical and classical pieces from guest choreographers and the
NFB repertoire.
Again, thank you for joining us for Carmina Burana. On behalf of everyone at the Northwest
Florida Ballet and the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, thank you for your support!
Cordially,
Todd Eric Allen, Artistic Director/CEO
850.664.7787
nfballet.org
NFB is sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Division of
Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts.