March 17, 2015
World Premiere Screening of Ric Burns' New Documentary American Masters - American Ballet Theatre: A History Monday, March 23 At 6:00 P.M. at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage hosts the World Premiere screening of American Masters – American Ballet Theatre: A History on Monday, March 23 at 6:00 P.M. in the Terrace Theater at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
American Masters – American Ballet Theatre: A History, a feature-length documentary directed by award-winning filmmaker Ric Burns, celebrates ABT’s legacy through rehearsal footage, performances and interviews with key figures from the Company&##8217;s rich history. Beginning production in 2006, Burns was given unprecedented access to the Company and shot hundreds of hours of original footage, including live performances in Paris and Havana, studio rehearsals in New York City and slow-motion captures at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center in Tivoli, New York. The film also includes hundreds of carefully curated still photographs and rare archival footage of ballet icons, providing a comprehensive look at American Ballet Theatre and the world of professional ballet.
Free general admission tickets will be distributed in the Kennedy Center’s States Gallery starting at approximately 5:30 P.M. on March 23, up to two tickets per person.
American Masters – American Ballet Theatre: A History will have its national broadcast premiere on Friday, May 15 at 9:00 P.M. on PBS (check local listings). The film is a production of Steeplechase Films, Inc. and THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS LLC’s American Masters for WNET. Ric Burns is producer and director. Bonnie Lafave is producer. Emily Williams and Mikaela Shwer are editors. Katie O’Rourke is co-producer for Steeplechase Films. Susan Lacy and Michael Kantor are executive producers.
Funding for American Masters – American Ballet Theatre: A History is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Rosalind P. Walter, Lewis Ranieri, Madeline Eckett Oden, and Ruth and Harold Newman and Jody and John Arnhold, Kitty Hawks and Larry Lederman, and The Lewis “Sonny” Turner Fund for Dance. American Masters is made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Rosalind P. Walter, The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation, Rhoda Herrick, Vital Projects Fund, Michael & Helen Schaffer Foundation, Rolf and Elizabeth Rosenthal, Jack Rudin, The André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation and public television viewers.