24-25 Season
Peter Pan Casting
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) will present the Pittsburgh premiere of Trey McIntyre’s Peter Pan from October 25 to 27 at the Benedum Center as the opening production of its 2024-25 Emerald season.
This new version is a fresh interpretation of the classic tale told, through the eyes of a child. The family-friendly ballet includes spectacular flying sequences, swashbuckling sword fights, amusing theatrics, entertaining dancing and imaginative costumes. Peter Pan closely follows the classic book by J.M. Barrie, and includes most of its beloved characters. This enchanting ballet is a breathtaking experience for audiences of all ages.
Step Inside Rehearsals
Photos: Aviana Adams | Artists of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Costumes Play a Significant Role in PBT’s Upcoming Peter Pan
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will perform the Pittsburgh premiere of Peter Pan for its season opener this October. This new version, choreographed by Trey Mcintyre, is a fresh, new interpretation of the classic tale told through the eyes of a child. The family-friendly ballet includes a hefty dose of theatrics, spectacular flying, swashbuckling sword fights and imaginative costumes inspired by punk fashion.
Acclaimed Broadway costume designer Jeanne Button created the costumes in McIntyre’s version of Peter Pan. These intriguing costumes become a crucial element of the production as they assist in reinterpreting the classic story, defining the characters and illustrating McIntyre’s wittier, darker vision based on the J.M. Barrie book. Overall, the costumes are colorful, fun and highly creative – perfect to help set the stage for a world of make-believe. To complete the costumes, most characters wear unexpected wigs and colorful makeup. Below, we look at the different costumes for some of the core characters.
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will present Peter Pan from October 25-27, 2024, at the Benedum Center. Tickets and show information can be found at pbt.org.
Peter Pan
In this version, Peter Pan’s costume is unconventional and not what audiences may expect from the Disney version. He wears a green loincloth with belts accentuated by dirty skin and bright red, unkempt hair. The outfit illustrates Peter as a true, untamed wild child who grew up in Neverland.
Tinkerbell and the Fairies
Tinkerbell and the fairies all have similar sassy costumes – bronzy-gold leotards with feathery insect-like backs in different colors ranging from blue/green to purple. Topping off the costumes are an array of green wigs, all styled with fun, youthful pigtails.
Captain Hook
Captain Hook’s costume is exceptionally theatrical, from the purple velvet coat with skeletons on the shoulders to the white stage makeup and horn-like wig. Instead of the traditional hook on his hand, McIntyre turned the metal appendage into a claw-like, misshapen bony finger.
Wendy
Wendy wears the most classical ensemble, a delicate, flowy nightgown. This costume perfectly accentuates her classical ballet movements by illustrating their fluidity and weightlessness.
Lost Boys
The Lost Boys look like ragged misfits in mismatched clothes with a rock-n-roll vibe. They’re a bit edgy and cool while also being messy and a bit grimy. They portray the boys’ charismatic personalities that have been uninhibited by adult supervision. Each Lost Boy has a different costume and wig to identify them and show their personalities.
Pirates
Like the Lost Boys, the pirates have punk-style outfits that include colorful tops, pants, jackets and vests that illustrate the wild rawness of the characters. They all have purple skin with a distinctive set of tattoos that are painted on lavender bodysuits.
Mermaids
The mermaids wear beautiful blue and white velvet unitards with sequin sewn wave patterns. They are ideal for their light and fluid classical ballet movements during the production.
Adults
All the adults, including Mr. and Mrs. Darling and the nursemaids, wear black and white outfits and stiff masks. With these costumes, McIntyre is illustrating the coldness and emotional distance of the adults to the children.
Artists in costume: Josiah Kauffman, Grace Rookstool, Amanda Morgan | Photos: Michael Henninger
Ballet Under the Stars Casting Announced
The casting for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s annual Ballet Under the Stars performance at Hartwood Acres has been announced! PBT will be performing at Hartwood Acres on Sunday, August 25 at 7:30 p.m. as part of Allegheny County’s 2024 Summer Concert Series. The outdoor performance is free to attend and open to the community. Register for free before attending for a chance to win a 5-ballet subscription to the 2024-2025 season.
Attendees are invited to arrive early to enjoy picnics, food trucks and free kids’ stations, including grab-and-go crafts, face painting, balloon art and a dance class led by PBT team members.
From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., PBT will host a pre-show Picnic in the Park. Join fellow ballet enthusiasts and PBT’s artistic director, Adam W. McKinney under the tent for drinks, dinner and the opportunity to meet PBT artists. Tickets are $100 for adults and $25 for children. Register online or call Associate Director of Development Aziza El Feil at 412-454-9127 for more information.
As the sun sets, PBT will present a mixed repertory performance featuring classical and contemporary works.
“Ballet Under the Stars” at Hartwood Acres
Sunday, August 25, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Please note: casting is subject to change
Allegro Brillante | Choreography by George Balanchine | © The George Balanchine Trust
– Leads: Tommie Lin Kesten and Colin McCaslin
– Artists: Erin Casale, Rylan Doty, Madeline Gradle, Abigail Huang, Caitlyn Mendicino, Jacob Miller, David O’Matz and Nathan Smith
Violin Pas de Deux | Choreography by Yoshiaki Nakano
– Artists: Grace Rookstool and Corey Bourbonniere
The Wizard of Oz Excerpt | Choreography by Adam W. McKinney
– Dorothy: Amanda Morgan
– The Wicked Witch: Madeline Gradle
The Nutcracker Suite | Choreography by Terrence S. Orr and PBT’s Artistic Team
“Jubilation”
– Artists: Magnoly Batista, Sam DerGregorian, Matthew Griffin, Abigail Huang, Jacob Miller and Madison Russo
“Exuberance”
– Artists: Emry Amoky, Rylan Doty and Nathan Smith
“Sugar Plum Fairy Pas de Deux ”
– Artists: Marisa Grywalski and Jack Hawn
“Elegance”
– Artists: Diana Yohe and David O’Matz
The Rite of Spring Excerpt | Choreography by William Moore
– Artists: Ariana Chernyshev and Emry Amoky
Peter Pan Excerpt | Choreography by Adam W. McKinney and Raymond Rodriguez
– Peter Pan: Jonathan Breight
– Captain Hook: Jack Hawn
– Tinkerbell: Grace Rookstool
Cinderella Pas de Deux | Choreography by Jayne Smeulders
– Artists: Hannah Carter and Lucius Kirst
Bolero | Choreography by Susan Jaffe
– Soloists: Grace Rookstool and Kurtis Sprowls
– Artists: Jonathan Breight, Erin Casale, Sam DerGregorian, Christian García Campos, Matthew Griffin, Marisa Grywalski, Jack Hawn, Josiah Kauffman, Caitlyn Mendicino, Jacob Miller, Amanda Morgan and Diana Yohe
Photos: Aviana Adams and Michael Henninger