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Nashville Ballet will premiere Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project this February, an internationally acclaimed contemporary ballet that journeys through one of history’s darkest hours to ultimately shine a spotlight on the triumph of the human spirit. Presented as part of Nashville Ballet’s annual Attitude series, Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project comes to Music City from Ballet Austin Artistic Director Stephen Mills February 9-11, 2018, at TPAC’s Polk Theater.
Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project unfolds as Naomi Warren, a real-life Holocaust survivor, reflects on her life. Following one person’s journey through the catastrophic events of the Holocaust, the work aims to spread a message of resiliency, courage and, most importantly, hope. Created and choreographed by Mills, Light has traveled to cities all over the world since its premiere in Austin, Texas, in 2005. The ballet is set to a contemporary score by renowned composers Philip Glass, Evelyn Glennie, Michael Gordon, Arvo Pärt and Steve Reich.
“Light is a timely reminder of the fragility of human rights,” Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling said. “What’s unique about art is its ability to spark meaningful conversation, teach important lessons and leave lasting impressions that have the power to lead to change. Light is an especially poignant example of that as we not only reflect on the past, but also consider the present and our personal responsibility when we see acts of injustice today.”
Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project is a unique multi-disciplinary community partnership that promotes the protection of human rights against bigotry and hate through arts, education and public dialogue. Through a partnership with the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Nashville Ballet will host a series of community conversations and events leading up to Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project to reflect on historical and contemporary issues of social injustice to promote understanding.
Nashville Ballet Community Calendar:
- Monday, January 15 – Wednesday, February 28: Exhibit: Living On: Portraits of Survivors and Liberators in Tennessee at Nashville Ballet (FREE)
- Thursday, January 18: Open Rehearsal Viewing: Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project at Nashville Ballet (FREE)
- Tuesday, January 23 – Thursday, February 1: Inside the Ballet with Mitchell Korn: Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project at Nashville Ballet
- Wednesday, January 24: Lunch & Learn: Screening of Producing Light at Belcourt Theatre (FREE)
- Saturday, January 27: Nashville Ballet’s Performance of Frank at Williamson County Performing Arts Center at Academy Park
- Saturday, February 3: The Art of Tolerance: Community Panel Discussion at Fisk University (FREE)
- Friday, February 9: Nashville Ballet’s First Call at Headlines Nashville at Hotel Indigo
- Friday, February 9 – Sunday, February 11: Attitude: Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project at TPAC’s Polk Theater
Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project and its associated events are a part of a city-wide initiative during 2018 to help Nashvillians reflect on their roles and contributions to social justice in our city and world. The community initiative is anchored by the Nashville Symphony’s Violins of Hope, an exhibit of and performance with musical instruments played in concentration camps during the Holocaust.
Attitude: Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project is presented by Sea Salt Nashville with additional support from SunTrust and Susan Underwood Physical Therapy and funded in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased in person at the TPAC box office in downtown Nashville, by phone at (615) 782-4040 or at NashvilleBallet.com. A complete performance schedule and more information can be found at NashvilleBallet.com/Light.
