[Courtesy of Ballet Hispanico]

Ballet Hispanico Premieres Carmen.maquia at Mahalia Jackson Theater

07:00 January 14, 2025
By: Brandie Goff

A Contemporary Twist on a Classic

On Saturday, February 1, Ballet Hispanico, will be returning to New Orleans for the premier of CARMEN.maquia, in partnership with The New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA).

The nation's premier Latino dance company will be led by director Eduardo Vilaro, who uses his mesmerizing and bold style of fusing contemporary dance with Latin ingredients. This international dance force brings the premiere of CARMEN.maquia, a celebration of Bizet's beloved classic Carmen by choreographer Gustavo Ramírez Sansano with a Picasso-inspired contemporary twist. The original score of CARMEN.maquia reinterprets Bizet's familiar melodies in a new light, while maintaining the company's commitment to performing groundbreaking works that explore the lavishness of Latinx identity and artistic expression. The fiercely emotional and brilliantly sensual production transforms the well-known story of love, jealousy, and tragedy into a powerful, contemporary statement.

[Courtesy of Ballet Hispanico]

About Ballet Hispanico: A Legacy of Dance

Since 1970, the company's founder Tina Ramirez has shattered the glass ceiling to the quality of dance training and profound performances. She founded her company with the principle that everyone deserves dance while challenging iconic portrayals and unearthing the joy and celebration to be found in Latinidad. Cuban American director Eduardo Vilaro joined Ballet Hispánico as a dancer of the institution in 1985, became the organization's second artistic director in 2009, and rose rapidly to CEO by 2015.

Today as the largest Latino cultural dance organization in the New York City headquarters, it provides the space and cultural heart and is one of America's Cultural Treasures. Ballet Hispánico's three central programs—the Company, School of Dance, and Community Arts Partnerships—bring together communities to celebrate the ever growing and multifaceted Hispanic diasporas. Their company captivates audiences with the work of Latinx choreographers, explores a platform for new cultural dialogue, and fosters the development of inspiring young dancers of all ages. The company has now performed for more than 2.5 million people across three different continents.

[Courtesy of Ballet Hispanico]

About NOBA: Supporting the Art of Dance in the Central Gulf Region

For years, NOBA has been the Central Gulf region's premier presenting and service organization dedicated solely to the art of dance. Each year, NOBA provides concerts, classes, workshops and lectures to more than 33,000 area dance connoisseurs of all ages. Additionally, NOBA's nationally recognized education programs provide accessible, inclusive, quality arts programs with over 5,500 tuition-free dance classes and workshops annually for approximately 20 sites throughout the Greater New Orleans area.

NOBA is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA): a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council and the NEA, a federal agency—in addition to a Community Arts Grant, made possible by the City of New Orleans as administered by Arts New Orleans, as well as a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council. Additional funding has also been provided by the National Endowment of the Arts. The current 2024-25 season is supported by Hyatt Regency New Orleans.

[Courtesy of Ballet Hispanico]

Event Details

The doors of the Mahalia Jackson Theatre will open at 6 p.m., and the show will be available to enjoy at 7:30 p.m. on 1419 Basin St. The Box Office will open at 4 p.m. and remain open to all interested in seeing the show until the headliner hits the stage. Ticket prices start at $25, with $10 discounts for students and seniors, and can be purchased by calling 504-522-0996 or be visiting nobadance.com.

Sign Up!

FOR THE INSIDE SCOOP ON DINING, MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT, THE ARTS & MORE!