Kinetic Conversations with the Fort Wayne Ballet

Kinetic Conversations with the Fort Wayne Ballet is an interview format podcast produced by and for the Fort Wayne Ballet and the Auer Academy. Join us as we discuss the art and history of dance, and the ins and outs of growing a professional ballet company. Kinetic Conversations is hosted by Jim Sparrow and Karen Gibbons-Brown. The show is co-produced by John Dawkins and Wayneshout Productions. Original theme music is by John Dawkins. For more about this podcast, visit fortwayneballet.org and wayneshout.com.

It's For the Kids

In this special episode, Jim sits down with Youth Company Director Raleigh Sparrow to discuss Fort Wayne Ballet's Family Series shows for the 2025-26 season. First up is Spooky Kooky, this Saturday!

10-17
12:06

Répétiteur Repartee: Cameron Basden & Light Rain

Cameron Basden, Répétiteur for the Arpino Trust, joins us ahead of Fort Wayne Ballet's staging of Light Rain, as part of the Ballet Russe Reimagined series conclusion. Jim and Cameron discuss the evolution of our company over the years of performing Gerald Arpino's masterworks and the versatility and skill of Fort Wayne's dancers.

05-08
14:28

Serenade: Balanchine Finds Fort Wayne

For the first time in its history, Fort Wayne Ballet is performing a work by the great choreographer George Balanchine. As we anticipate the upcoming part two of our Ballet Russe Reimagined series, Jim Sparrow and Karen Gibbons-Brown discuss the iconic ballet Serenade.Fort Wayne Ballet’s second of a three-part series, Ballet Russe Reimagined, will be performed on April 11 and 12 at the Pearl Street Arts Center. This performance features Rite of Spring and Serenade.Purchase tickets at:   https://tickets.artstix.org/TheatreManager/6/login?event=0&search=P_SEQ%20in(4250,4251,4252)

04-04
29:35

Conversations with the Choreographer: David Ingram

David Ingram is Fort Wayne Ballet’s guest choreographer for Les Sylphides as part of the Ballet Russe Reimagined series. In this interview, Jim Sparrow asks David about his career and his inspiration for setting new movement to this classic piece. Fort Wayne Ballet’s first of a 3-part series, Ballet Russe Reimagined, will be performed on March 21 and 22 at the Pearl Street Arts Center. The first performance features Les Sylphides and The Rite of Spring.

03-18
22:11

Ballet Russe in Review: An En Avant Supercut

The En Avant series, narrated by Fort Wayne Ballet Artistic Director Karen Gibbons-Brown, airs Saturdays on 89.1 WBOI during the Classical Connections Review. This episode of the Kinetic Conversations Podcast is a supercut of Karen’s six-part series on the history of the Ballet Russe, from its post-classical beginnings in Russia to its influence on the American ballet renaissance.Fort Wayne Ballet’s first of a 3-part series, Ballet Russe Reimagined, will be performed on March 21 and 22 at the Pearl Street Arts Center. The first performance features Les Sylphides and The Rite of Spring.

03-11
26:04

Conversations with the Choreographer: Mark Godden

On March 21, Fort Wayne Ballet is presenting Le Sacre du printemps, otherwise known as Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, as part of the Ballet Russe Reimagined series. It will be presented as a world premiere, with new choreography by famed choreographer, Mark Godden. Artistic Director Karen Gibbons-Brown sat down with Mark to discuss the process of creating a new show and working in tandem with the dancers to bring new life to this Ballet Russe classic.

02-25
25:18

Bringing Home the Ballet Russe

Stravinsky's unnerving music meets backdrops by... Picasso? As we move into our Spring season, we look ahead to our three stagings of the Ballet Russe Reimagined.  Jim and Karen sit down and discuss what the Ballet Russe means historically to ballet, and how our performances bring back the traditions of the roving dance company of the early 20th century. 

02-11
30:14

En Avant: The Ballet Russe Part 6

After getting his start in the Ballet Russe, George Balanchine makes a name in New York.

02-11
05:07

En Avant: The Ballet Russe Part 5

The Ballet Russe finds new life in America after Diaghilev's death.

02-11
05:07

En Avant: The Ballet Russe Part 4

The Ballet's repertoire expands during a successful tour of South America.

01-18
05:07

En Avant: The Ballet Russe Part 3

Diaghilev brings together the greatest artists, composers, and choreographers of the day to create innovative and sometimes controversial works.

01-18
05:08

En Avant: The Ballet Russe Part 2

The Bolshevik revolution makes artistic expression a dangerous undertaking in Russia, and Diaghilev takes the Ballet to the West instead.

01-18
05:07

En Avant: The Ballet Russe Part 1

Diaghilev takes the reigns and showcases Russian dance to the rest of the world.

01-18
05:07

En Avant: Nutcracker: Lasting Traditions

Having found new life in America, the Nutcracker thrives as a holiday tradition.

01-18
05:06

En Avant: Nutcracker: Composing with Tchaikovsky

Petipa works with the famed composer to establish the music for the famed holiday ballet.

01-18
05:09

En Avant: Nutcracker: Dancing of the Sweets

We explore Petipa's inspiration for the dances in his Nutcracker

01-18
05:08

Nutcracker Under the Lights

Time to hear from the dancers!In this all-new Nutcracker chat, we start with three of our dancers - Talbot Rue, Anna Orzulak, and Abby Zinsser, who tell us what dancing in The Nutcracker every year means to them, both artistically and nostalgically. Then, we join Jim and Karen for a discussion on bringing new elements to this year's staging of the Christmas classic.

12-03
18:52

En Avant: Petipa's Nutcracker

En Avant is a five minute ballet segment, hosted by Karen Gibbons-Brown, which airs during Rob Nylund's Classical Connection Review, every Saturday evening on Fort Wayne's 89.1 WBOI. This version has been modified from its broadcast edition to accommodate musical copyright.We know and love The Nutcracker, but was it always so popular? Marius Petipa and his assistant, along with Tchaikovsky, created a holiday classic that wasn't initially well received. 

11-30
05:08

En Avant: Marius Petipa & The Classical Era

En Avant is a five minute ballet segment, hosted by Karen Gibbons-Brown, which airs during Rob Nylund's Classical Connection Review, every Saturday evening on Fort Wayne's 89.1 WBOI. This version has been modified from its broadcast edition to accommodate musical copyright.In this segment, Karen overviews the career of famed choreographer Marius Petipa, who essentially created the Classical Era of ballet.

11-23
05:08

En Avant: The End of an Era - Saying Goodbye to the Romantic Ballet

En Avant is a five minute ballet segment, hosted by Karen Gibbons-Brown, which airs during Rob Nylund's Classical Connection Review, every Saturday evening on Fort Wayne's 89.1 WBOI. This version has been modified from its broadcast edition to accommodate musical copyright.In this segment, Karen notes the transition from the Romantic Ballet era into the Classic.

11-23
04:14

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