Looking Back: The 2024/2025 Season

May 5, 2025

5 min read

Updated: Jul 26

Ballet troupe in white tutus performs on a dark blue stage under a moonlit backdrop, with one male dancer watching at left. — Photo by John Welch

And that's a wrap on our 46th season! After four mainstage productions and numerous performances throughout the community, Ballet Theatre of Maryland has drawn our 2024/2025 Season to a close. Big things are brewing for our next one, but in the meantime, here's a look back on a season full of exciting moments.

Napoli: Team Macaroni or Team Lemonade?

Ballet troupe in colorful folk costumes onstage; one dancer stands center while others cluster around against a blue backdrop. — Sarah Jung as Teresina, Madison Sweeney as her mother, and Michael West Jr as Gennaro. Photo by John Maloney

In October, we traveled to Naples and the mysterious Blue Grotto for our production of Napoli. Teresina's mother wishes for her to make a successful marriage, but Teresina has eyes only for the fisherman Gennaro. The young lovers convince Teresina's mother to bless the match, but a terrible storm shipwrecks Teresina within the realm of a wicked sea demon.

Large ballet ensemble on stage in colorful folk costumes, arms raised in unison against a blue backdrop, with a guitarist and seated woman at left. — The townspeople react to a rumor that the Lemonade Seller has spread about Teresina and Gennaro. Photo by John Maloney

This narrative left plenty of room for artistic embellishments among the company dancers. In the opening market scene, Teresina's mother pushes her toward Giacomo, the Macaroni Seller, and Peppo, the Lemonade Seller. The rest of the company went about our business bringing the market scene to life, but it was important for us to stay invested in the action.

Although some of our movements and pantomime were specified, much of it was left to our own discretion. Each dancer had to make an important choice: Team Macaroni or Team Lemonade?

Smiling ballet dancers in colorful folk costumes pose onstage before a painted stone bridge and mountain backdrop. — Photo by Hannah Hanson

All humor aside, this was the company's first opportunity to tackle the work of 19th-century Danish choreographer August Bournonville--a challenge we relished. In particular, the wedding scene's Pas de Six and Tarantella provided many examples of Bournonville's characteristically intricate footwork. There are only a few companies in the United States that have performed Napoli, making this a singular experience!

To learn more about Napoli's origins and its story, visit our blog post Setting Sail for Napoli.

The Nutcracker: A Special Farewell

Ballet ensemble in colorful Victorian dresses performs on a red-lit stage before a decorated Christmas tree, smiling solemnly — Photo by John Maloney

In December, we said goodbye to Dianna Cuatto's production of The Nutcracker. This version, choreographed by our Artistic Director Emeritus, premiered in 2004. Ever since, it's been a beloved holiday tradition for the company, student cast members, and the community.

Costumed performers on a theater stage tug a ribbon in a playful tug-of-war under purple lighting. — Photo by Rick Moyer

Our current director, Nicole Kelsch, invited some surprise guests to mark the occasion. On the second weekend of shows, former BTM principals--including some original cast members of this Nutcracker--graced the stage as parents in the party scene.

Smiling ballerina in pink tutu and tiara raises a wand on a dim stage, with other dancers in pink behind her. — Anmarie as the Dew Drop Fairy

Among these guests was Anmarie Touloumis, who you may remember from a recent blog post. She was kind enough to share her memories originating the roles of the Dew Drop Fairy and Spanish dancer.

Ballet dancer in purple tutu and tiara poses beside Nutcracker poster text on a purple-to-white background. — Photo by Joanne Salyer

Now, BTM is preparing for a new chapter: an original production of The Nutcracker centered around historic Annapolis. Coming December 2025, this production celebrates Annapolis's maritime history while keeping alive the magic and childhood wonder of the holiday season. Keep your eyes out for blog updates about this new production.

Ground and Sky: Collaborating with Full Circle Dance Company

Large group of dancers in colorful dresses raise their arms on a theater stage, lit by pink and purple lights against a magenta backdrop — Photo by Dorret Oosterhoff

In addition to our mainstage performance series, the second half of the season also featured our second collaborative performance with Full Circle Dance Company. In this February performance at the Gordon Center, BTM brought audience-favorite works Into the Light by Ashley Taylor and Piccola Danza Strofica by Isaac Martinez.

Ensemble of ballet dancers onstage lifts a woman in a white blouse and gray skirt, arms outstretched under dramatic lighting — BTM dancers lift Mimi Hardin in Ashley Taylor's Into the Light. Photo by Dorret Oosterhoff

The evening culminated in an improvisational work, also named Ground and Sky, where both companies shared the stage. Set to live music by Melissa Hullman and Christopher Payne, this piece incorporated students from our two dance schools. These BTM Conservatory students are well-versed in performing with us in classical productions like The Nutcracker, but performing together in a contemporary show was an exciting new opportunity.

Ballet dancers in pastel dresses pose with arms outstretched on a dark, blue-lit stage, smiling during a performance. — Downstage, Kennedy from the BTM Conservatory and Sophie from Morton Street Dance perform together in Ground and Sky. Photo by Dorret Oosterhoff

Young ballet dancers perform lifts and arabesques on a purple-lit stage with a dark backdrop, creating an elegant, joyful mood. — Students are lifted off the stage by the gentlemen of BTM. Photo by Dorret Oosterhoff

Ballet dancers in colorful dresses on a stage, arms raised under pink, red and blue lighting, with a dramatic reflective floor — Students and professionals reach upward at the end of Ground and Sky. Photo by Dorret Oosterhoff

Momentum: Six New Works

Three ballerinas in pink tutus leap in unison on a blue-lit stage, arms raised and smiling gracefully — Erin Jenkins, Karen Fleming, and Victoria Siracusa in Emily Carey's Concerto Lilla. Photo by Nick Eckert

Later in February, BTM brought Momentum: A Mixed Bill to the Maryland Hall stage. It featured six world-premiering works by current and former company dancers and included the return of Ashley Taylor, director of Ara Dance Project. Familiar choreographers Linsey Bell, Isaac Martinez, and Roman Mykyta also shared their talents crafting new works.

Three ballet dancers in white costumes pose on a blue-lit stage, balancing in elegant extensions with serene expressions. — Jenna Fritts, Ryan Massey, and Amanda Cobb in Karen Fleming's The Yachts. Photo by Nick Eckert

Momentum was the first mainstage show for choreographers Emily Carey and Karen Fleming. Emily Carey, School Principal and Ballet Mistress, premiered Concerto Lilla with a cast of 16 dancers. Corps de ballet member Karen Fleming presented The Yachts, which melded classical ballet and modern to evoke William Carlos Williams's eponymous poem.

For details about all the pieces, revisit our Momentum feature on the blog.

Two ballet dancers in period costumes perform on a dark stage beside a wooden chair, one smiling in a bowler hat. — Victoria Siracusa in Lindsey Bell's Smiles of a Summer Night. Photo by Nick Eckert

Swan Lake: Breaking Records

Blue-lit ballet stage with a male dancer lifting a woman overhead while white-tutu dancers pose in the background — Photo by Nick Eckert

BTM concluded the season with Swan Lake at the end of April. We haven't performed this tragic ballet since February 2020, and it was highly anticipated by dancers and audience members alike: Swan Lake broke Sleeping Beauty's record for the greatest number of tickets sold to any show outside of The Nutcracker!

Three ballet dancers pose on a stage with a floral backdrop, smiling in white and blue costumes, arms raised and legs extended. — Lauren Martinez, Michael West Jr, and Victoria Siracusa in the Pas de Trois. Photo by John Welch

We are so honored to receive this support from our audience and hope to show our appreciation by continuing to put our best work on stage in the years to come. What the audience saw onstage represented not only hundreds of rehearsal hours but also countless hours spent behind the scenes building sets, sewing costumes, programming lights, and performing other important tasks.

If you're interested in learning more about this production's costumes specifically, visit last month's blog post on Costuming Swan Lake!

Six ballet dancers in white costumes smile on a stage with a moonlit sky backdrop and stone steps covered in vines.

The performance weekend was also meaningful because we recognized the careers of six dancers retiring from our professional company. We are grateful for the beauty that Lindsey Bell, Ryan Massey, Anne Gutcher, Caroline Anderson, Sarah Hoffman, and Christina Williams all brought to our stage.

What's Next?

Outdoor dance troupe poses on a downtown street stage beside Dunkin’ Donuts and Luna Blu, with a rainbow flag overhead. — BTM performing at Dinner Under the Stars with dancers from Gigi's Playhouse in summer 2024

The season may be over, but things never slow down at BTM. Classes continue at the Conservatory through May, and we'll have performances in the community throughout June and July. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram for information about summer shows and classes, and subscribe to the BTM blog to stay in the know.

Three ballerinas in white tutus pose on pointe in a studio, with 2025/2026 SEASON in gold text. — Photo by Joanne Salyer

Interested in next season? Check out our blog post on our 2025/2026 Season Performances and consider purchasing an in-person or virtual subscription. Season subscriptions are the most cost-effective way to see every performance, and they allow you to choose your favorite seats for the whole year!

I'll be back soon with summer updates, dancer features, and more. See you then!