Mystic Ballet

Sayaka Yabuta & Aleks Subotic, 2009.

The Mystic Ballet, based in Mystic, Connecticut is a dance company and performing arts educational institution. The company was founded by Goran Subotic, under the artistic leadership of Desiree Subotic. The company first took form in the winter of 1997, on the stage of Eugene O'Neill Theater.

History

1999 - Madam Alla Osipenko becomes Principal Company Teacher and Honorary Board Director. Mrs. Subotic and Madam Osipenko lay foundation for the educational program at the School of Mystic Ballet.

2001 - Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia is an honored guest at the annual Winter Gala. After attending the performance Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth becomes an honorary board member of the Mystic Ballet.

2002 - The company expands its staff with Vladimir Putenko, from Kiev Ballet. The same year guest faculty included Franco De Vita, from Alvin Ailey, presently principal of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theater.

2004 - Mystic Ballet premiers Peter Pan. Critics' call Mystic Ballet's Peter Pan an Instant Classic - Sharma L. Howard, The Mystic Times.

2007 - Mystic Ballet celebrates its 10th anniversary, by completing six fully staged ballets for children in its Dance Me A Story - Family Series. The Company expands its staff - Sergei Vanaev becomes Resident Choreographer and Assistant Artistic Director.

2008 - Mystic Ballet introduces for its 2008/09 Season, PAY-WHAT-YOU-WISH Productions for its patrons. "Mystic Ballet Lets Audience Choose the Price" - "A Troupe’s Move to Pay-What-You-Wish Pricing" - by SYLVIANE GOLD, Published: February 6, 2009, The New York Times. This "reckless" move is a first time for Mystic Ballet, and probably first time in history of ballet or performing arts, that professional company lets its audience chose the price.

2009 - State of Connecticut Rep. Diana Urban and Sen. Andrew Maynard award Mystic Ballet recognition for its ongoing contribution to the cultural and artistic life of the region: "The extraordinarily talented and creative genius of Goran Subotic and The Mystic Ballet have brought a new dimension of beauty to our community and our state."

2010 - For its performance of A Mystic Nutcracker, Mystic Ballet, in collaboration with 5 Sense Productions introduced its audience to a multi-sensory theatrical experience. This presentation uses an array of technologies to stimulate all five senses, allowing audiences to experience A Mystic Nutcracker in a new way. This innovative and futuristic collaboration with 5 Sense Productions is a first for Mystic Ballet, and probably the first time in the history of ballet and performing arts, that theatergoers enter a world where images have an aroma. Every note can be felt and every experience is magnified in ways the viewer will not forget.

External links

• Mystic Ballet Official website
• New York Times - One Little Village, But Top-Notch Ballet
• Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism Official website
• Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut Official website
• http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/nyregion/connecticut/08dancect.html
• http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/nyregion/13dancect.html "Across Great Divide, East Meets West at Mystic Ballet" Sylviane Gold
• A Mystic Nutcracker - 5 Sense Production