CCM Dance presents excerpts from 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'Swan Lake' plus new premiere on April 13-16

CCM Dance caps its 2022-23 season with Fairies, Swans and Still Waters on April 13-16, 2023 in Corbett Auditorium. The performance features selections from two of the most beloved works of the classical ballet repertoire, Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, along with the world premiere of "Still Waters," set to music by CCM alumna Grace Choi (DMA Composition, '22).

A result of a collaboration between a professor and student from different disciplines, “Still Waters” represents what CCM is all about. Set to Choi’s original composition "Drown," the piece gives “many areas within CCM the opportunity to work together—both faculty and students,” says Shauna Steele, Chair of CCM Dance and director/choreographer of the production. Students and professors across dance, music, stage management, lighting and costume design share their expertise “to present a work from concept to stage that happens completely within CCM,” continues Steele.

The concept for “Still Waters” arose out of the image of the surface of water—and what it can obscure beneath. For Choi, this manifested in musical motifs that evoke the turbulence of the water’s surface and the calm of the deep sea. Through music, she expresses “the moment when these two irreconcilable parts meet and accept each other,” according to her program note. Steele was inspired by this idea—particularly how it relates metaphorically to “the rich color and texture, trust and faith,” that is created when we choose to share our inner selves and see what lies beneath the surface of others. Get a behind-the-scenes look at rehearsals for the piece in this mini-documentary by CCM Digital.

The premiere is paired with the Prologue from Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty and Act II from his Swan Lake. These two selections give audiences a chance to see exquisite classical ballet in both ensemble and solo variations.

Sleeping Beauty, with restaging and additional choreography by Isabele Elefson and Tricia Sundbeck, delivers magical fairies with “a bit of wit, imagination and uplifting effervescence,” muses Steele. Swan Lake, with restaging and additional choreography by Jiang Qi, presents the “eternal battle for truth, justice and love,” between an enchanted Princess, her Prince and the evil Baron von Rothbart. 

“It is a concert of amazing artistry and challenging, diverse dance and artistic collaborations,” says Steele. Through movement, music and design, “Fairies, Swans and Still Waters” is something old, something new, and something entirely original. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

• 8 p.m. Thursday, April 13 
• 8 p.m. Friday, April 14 
• 8 p.m. Saturday, April 15 
• 2 p.m. Sunday, April 16 

Corbett Auditorium, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati

Tickets are $25.50-29.50; student and group discounts available. Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online now through our e-Box Office!

Learn about additional ticket options for current CCM students.

CCM is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. For detailed driving directions, visit ccm.uc.edu/directions.

Parking is available in UC's CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. 

CCM OnStage patrons can add pre-paid parking to their checkout carts when purchasing tickets. Pre-paid parking is date/performance specific. CCM Garage parking rates for a performance or special event is usually available for $10-15. Learn more about parking at UC's CCM Garage.

For additional information on parking at UC, please visit uc.edu/about/parking.

Featured image at the top: A promotional graphic of the dance production. Photo by Mark Lyons. Graphic design by Mikki Graff.