What: Wichita Falls Ballet Theatre Signature Series: Passion

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 31

Where: Fain Fine Arts Theatre at Midwestern State University, 3410 Taft

Admission: $20 adults and $10 students with I.D. at http://wfmpec.com. Walkup tickets will be available the night of the performance at the MSU Theatre. 

Information: WichitaFallsBalletTheatre.org or (940) 716-5500 

For the past 25 years, the Wichita Falls Ballet Theatre has been known its wondrous full-length ballets, and in 2017 they expanded to perform the Signature Series repertory show, which not only went well, said WFBT Artistic Director Mishic Liberatore, but was also very well received.

 Liberatore is very pleased to announce a second Signature Series titled “Passion,” which will be performed at 7 p.m. Saturday March 31 at the Fain Fine Arts Theatre at Midwestern State University.

 Liberatore said the classes that she and her husband Valentine teach are important to help develop the dancers’ technique and growth. “But we really do all that to get on stage. The more performance opportunities a dancer can have, the stronger and the more well-rounded dancer comes from that.”

 The Signature Series is another opportunity for their dancers to get invaluable stage time. From the audience perspective, the four pieces to be performed Saturday will very much illustrate the athleticism, strength and versatility of dance.

The first work, “Pas de Quatre,” is from an 18th century Romantic ballet, while the final piece will be a more contemporary and explore the movement and athleticism of dance, showing how the artistic form has transitioned from old school ballet into the 21st century, Liberatore said.

The 15-minute “Pas de Quatre” features music by Cesare Pugni and Michic’s choreography based on Jules Perrot’s 1845 choreography. The short piece, when originally performed, featured 4 of the 5 best-known ballerinas in the world

Because they were unable to find a complete piano score, the first piece will be danced to prerecorded music, she said.  For the rest of the evening, the music will be played by Dr. Martin Camacho on piano and Gina Menden on violin.

The second piece, the 3 ½ minute “La Verde” features music by Gabriel Faure with choreography by Michic’s husband, Val. “It’s beautiful,” and features younger company members showing where the company is headed.”

That work is followed by “Moonlight” with music by Igor Stravinsky. “The music has a waltz feeling to it,” she said. Dancer Davis Sanders wears a coat and tie, and Ashlen Loskot wears a white dress with diamonds. “It’s kind of an ‘Under the Moonlight’ 1940’s -50s waltzing feel to it.”

The concluding dance will be the 15 minute “Suite Pulpulaire Espagnole,” with music by Manuel de Falla and choreography by Michic.

“I have been exploring different movements with the company members and different ways their bodies can move. This piece has more of a neoclassical feel to it. It is still ballet, not modern. It’s on point.

The piece has two pas de deux: Michael Sherry will dance with Briar Voll, and A.J. Duhan performs with Zoe Stockton-Knight.

While the costumes Saturday will be very nice, she said, repertory dance is not about sets, costumes and props. “It really is about focusing on the dance and the dancers and to see their growth.”

“It will be an exciting night. It’s not a lot of storytelling, it’s really to get a nice taste of dance.”