The centerpiece of the program is the world premiere of Yuri Possokhov’s The Rite of Spring, set to Igor Stravinsky’s revolutionary 1913 score—music that has inspired and challenged a wealth of prominent choreographers and dancers. Musicologist Susan Key, San Francisco Ballet School Administrative Manager and music educator, Andrea Yannone, and Dance Educator Mary Wood will be joined by SF Ballet Music Director Martin West to explore Stravinsky’s complex musical tour de force, the challenges it offers to dancers, and how the work maintains its edgy modernism, even after a century.

Dance Educator Mary Wood interviews General Manager Debra Bernard.

SF Ballet is proud to present Hamburg Ballet in Nijinsky, created by Artistic Director and Chief Choreographer of The Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier. Mr. Neumeier will join us for a discussion of this provocative retrospective of the great dancer's life and career. Following the discussion with Mr. Neumeier, Company Manager Lauren Chadwick will share the duties and responsibilities of the Company Manager while on tour and at home.

Founder of St. Mary’s College of California Leap Program Claire Sheridan interviews Ballet Master Anita Paciotti.

Former dancer and artistic director Maina Gielgud discusses the unique place of Suite en Blanc in ballet history, as well as its lifelong presence in her own dance career, as a dancer, artistic director, and stager. Included in the discussion are the ballet’s history, style, and challenges; the nuances of presenting classical and neoclassical ballet; and highlights of Gielgud’s career, including dancing with Rudolf Nureyev.

The 80th Season’s opening program includes the San Francisco Ballet premiere of Serge Lifar’s groundbreaking Suite en Blanc. English dancer and former director of the Australian Ballet, Maina Gielgud has staged the work for SF Ballet. Gielgud brings her extensive experience to the discussion of this work which has been described as “clever, intriguing and intricately patterned.” A world premiere by innovative choreographer Wayne McGregor and Jerome Robbins’ lovely In the Night round out the program.

Dance Educator Mary Wood interviews Borderlands Choreographer Wayne McGregor, Scenic Designer Lucy Carter and Composers Joel Cadbury and Paul Stoney

Luke Willis discusses his unique start in ballet, and muses on his life and career in dance. He considers the pitfalls and the perks of being a professional dancer. The topics range from his take on the critical importance of social media in the arts today, to his thoughts about the varied roles that make dancing so satisfying. Finally, as a key birth date approaches for him, Luke reveals his post dance-career plans - which are quite surprising!

Claire Sheridan, Founder of the LEAP Program at Saint Mary's College, interviews Jane Green, the Stage Manager for the San Francisco Ballet

Patti describes the process of creating the new costumes for Helgi Tomasson and Yuri Possokhov’s Don Quixote and explains the role of SF Ballet’s wardrobe department in preparing the costumes for performances. She also describes her preparations for the Company’s upcoming tours and the next repertory season, as well as the off-season maintenance required to keep costumes in top form.