Looking Back: The 2024/2025 Season
- Cindy Case
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
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?
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.
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?
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Momentum: Six New Works
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.
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.
Swan Lake: Breaking Records
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!
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!
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?
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.
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!
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