Rooster
Choreographer: Christopher Bruce
Music: The Rolling Stones
Illuminate
Choreographer: Jacquelyn Long
Music: Oliver Davis
Vi et animo
Choreographer: Stanton Welch AM
Music: Pyotr Ilyitch Tchaikovsky
Set to eight classic Rolling Stones tracks, including “Paint It, Black,” “Ruby Tuesday,” and “Sympathy for the Devil,” Rooster captures the spirit of the ‘60s and flips it on its head with humor, style, and swagger using a small ensemble of men and women. With an adept hand in classical ballet and modern dance, Christopher Bruce draws inspiration from the Stones' machismo lyrics and takes a playful jab, resulting in a fast-paced, lighthearted work—with just a bit of bite. Created in 1991 for Geneva Ballet, Rooster has gained widespread popularity, traveling from London Contemporary Dance (where Mick Jagger himself sat in the front row) to its American premiere at Houston Ballet in 1995 and beyond. As Houston Ballet’s former associate choreographer, Bruce has a longstanding, celebrated history with the Company, having created and staged popular works like Ghost Dances and Hush.
Set to Oliver Davis’ Frontiers, Concerto for Violin and String Orchestra, Illuminate is a movement-based work choreographed by Soloist Jacquelyn Long. Originally created for the 2023 Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance, Illuminate explores the origins of ideas, inspiration, and energy, examining how some people inspire themselves, while others find inspiration through connections with others. Divided into three movements and featuring a small ensemble of men and women, Illuminate is brought to life through the brilliant costume design of Holly Hynes, who uses yellow and gray to symbolize the theme of ideas and inspiration. Long hopes the piece, open to interpretation, will “light something joyous inside for those who watch.”
A grand celebration of Houston Ballet’s strength and dedication, Stanton Welch AM’s Vi et animo captures the very essence of its multiple meanings: with heart and soul, with courage, and with commitment. Featuring nearly the entire company, Vi et animo blends powerful ensemble work with virtuosic solos that push the boundaries of classical technique. The work was created in 2023 for the Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance, commemorating Welch’s 20th anniversary as artistic director. It is fittingly driven by Tchaikovsky’s illustrious Piano Concerto No. 1, a lavish showcase of virtuosity, power, and splendor.
