P1 – INTRINSIC

Described by choreographer Michel Fokine as “the personification of a poetic vision,” the Sarasota Season opens with Dame Alicia Markova’s production of Fokine’s Les Sylphides—a Romantic era ballet that paved the way for future choreographers to let music and movement drive the story. Set to Chopin’s enchanting score, ethereal sylphs drift through a moonlit forest around a young poet. This production also honors the 100th anniversary of Markova joining The Ballets Russes.

Also featured is The Lorenz Butterfly, a World Premiere debuting at Jacob’s Pillow in 2025, and the Company’s third World Premiere by Jessica Lang, Virginia B. Toulmin & Muriel O’Neil Artist in Residence. Chaos theory meets color theory in Lang’s new work, where instinctive brushstrokes and vibrant hues mirror movement, emotion, and transformation. Her ballet unfolds against a backdrop of her own paintings that were themselves born from this exploration of chaos, color, and change.

Program One culminates with a ballet centered on Sarasota itself: Will Tuckett’s Changing Light. After being approached by Director Iain Webb to choreograph a work for The Sarasota Ballet, Tuckett was inspired by the striking beauty of the Sarasota sunsets, which is reflected in the fluid and circular movements, lighting design, and costumes. Having received standing ovations every time it’s performed, this work serves as the perfect finale of the first Program to ignite excitement for the Season.

Repertoire will include:

Les Sylphides
Choreography by Michel Fokine
Production by Dame Alicia Markova
Music by Fédéric Chopin
Costume Design by Alexandre Benois
Lighting Design by Ethan Vail
Staged by Margaret Barbieri and Iain Webb

The Lorenz Butterfly (World Premiere)
Choreography by Jessica Lang
Music by Robert Schumann
Costume Design by Jillian Lewis
Set Design by Jessica Lang
Lighting Design by Ethan Vail

Changing Light
Choreography by Will Tuckett
Music by Jeremy Holland-Smith 
Lighting Design by Aaron Muhl
Staged by Victoria Hulland