HUNTSVILLE – A new season is underway for Huntsville Ballet Company (HBC) with three major productions and a new intimate series on the schedule.

HBC uses the power of dance to inspire and nurture the art of classical ballet through educational excellence, artistic achievement and outreach. The tone of each production varies to fulfill the audiences’ diverse tastes.

Huntsville Ballet opens its 60th season with the much-anticipated return to the stage of Artistic Director, Phillip Otto’s original ballet, Amore on Oct. 27-29 for the HBC’s Unplugged series.

In 2019, Otto commissioned local composer Jackson Love to create the score for the now acclaimed ballet whose individual movements; diamonds, blue topaz, gold, and pearls symbolize love. This ballet was inspired by the exquisite work of Huntsville’s own renowned jewelry artist, Dr. Kathy Chan. Dr. Chan created the award-winning Amore necklace in 1986 using 197 carats of blue topaz pierced with an arrow of diamonds.

Each performance will conclude with what has become an audience favorite, the opportunity to meet and ask questions of the dancers and directors.

The performances will be held at the Dream Theater, 3401 Holmes Ave NW. They are scheduled for Friday, Oct 27, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Oct 29, at 3 p.m.

The Nutcracker

Later this year, HBC’s 55th annual production, “The Nutcracker” will include special guests from Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. In this enduring Huntsville tradition, Clara’s enchanting story comes to life at the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall with masterful choreography, enchanting scenic designs, brilliant lighting and stunning costumes.

This time-honored event has become an enduring part of the holiday season. Tchaikovsky’s iconic score comes to life with Clara and her Prince, the magical growing Christmas tree, a blizzard of white snowflakes, dancing flowers, and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

“The Nutcracker” will be performed Dec. 8-10. All student performers are registered HBC students.

Dancers Choice

After the beginning of the new year, HBC will present “Dancers Choice” in February. This gives HBC members the opportunity to choreograph and perform in genres of their choice. Organizers say performing in a smaller, more intimate setting of the HBC studio has proven to create a truly interactive and educational experience allowing for conversation between the audience and the dancers and directors. It will be offered Feb. 23-25.

Swan Lake Act II

To round out the season, the Huntsville Ballet Company takes the stage of the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall in April with the spellbinding second act of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.

One of the most iconic ballets of all time, Swan Lake entwines love, magic, and tragedy to tell the story of Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette, the swan maiden who has fallen under the enchantment of the evil Baron Von Rothbart. Only a vow of true love can break the spell. It will be performed April 19-21.

For more information, visit huntsvilleballet.org.