Community Collaborators
Oakland Ballet Company’s programs engage a diverse range of community members through the commissioning of vibrant new works, innovative collaborations with artists of other genres, and compelling educational programs that cultivate the next generation of dance lovers. We welcome you to explore the history of OBC’s collaborations under the guidance of Artistic Director Graham Lustig.
Graham Lustig’s “The Nutcracker”, 2011 – present
Graham Lustig’s “The Nutcracker” brings to life the spirit of the holiday season with beautiful dancing, magnificent scenery and imaginative costumes.
Choreographers
- Graham Lustig, Graham Lustig’s “The Nutcracker” (2011-present)
Musicians:
- Oakland East Bay Symphony, directed by Michael Morgan (2011-present)
- Mt. Eden High School Women’s Ensemble, directed by Ken Rawdon (2012, 2014-2016)
- Oakland Youth Chorus, LaNell Martin (2013)
- Piedmont East Bay’s Children’s Choir Concert Choir, directed by Robert Geary and conducted Andrew Brown (2017 – present)
Luna Mexicana, 2016 – present
“Luna Mexicana” brings the community together for a celebration of Dia de los Muertos through spirited dancing, live music, colorful costumes, and a festive atmosphere.
Choreographers:
- Graham Lustig, “Luna Mexicana” (2016-present)
- José Limón, “Chaconne” (2017)
- Graham Lustig, Martin Romero “Viva la Vida!” (2018)
Guest Performing Groups:
- Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno, “Jarabillo de Tres”; “Pichatarito” (2016)
- Ballet Folklórico México Danza, “¡Viva la Vida!…Celebrating Amalia Hernandez’s 100th Birthday” (2017); “Nuevo Leon – Viva Linares, Café Rmona, El Circo” (2018)
- Nahui-Ehekatl, “Blessing Ceremony” (2017 – 2018)
Musicians:
- Mariachi Halcones de Oakland, “A Tribute to Juan Gabriels” (2016)
- Terrie Baune (2017)
- Mariachi Mexicanisimo (2017)
Visual Artists:
- Oakland Museum of California, Ofrenda (2016 – 2017)
- Daniel Camacho, Ofrenda (2018)
- Ernesto Hernandez-Olmos, Ofrenda (2018)
- Joaquin Newman (2018)
- Evelyn Orantes (2018)
- Jasmine Quiroga (2018)
Food Vendors:
- Peña’s Bakery (2016 – present)
- Tamales La Oaxaqueña (2016 – present)
“Jangala”, 2018 – present
“Jangala” celebrates Indian arts and culture by telling the story of The Jungle Book through contemporary ballet and Bharatanatyam dance.
Choreographers:
- Graham Lustig, “Jangala”, (2018-present)
- Nadhi Thekkek, “The Little Elephant in the Room” (2018)*
Guest Performing Groups:
- Nava Dance Theatre (2018)
Musicians:
- Achyut Srinivasan, Percussionist (2018)
- Preethi Ramaprasad, Percussionist (2018)
- Rohan Krishnamoorthy, Percussionist (2018)
- Shreyas Srinivasan, Violin (2018)
- Sidhi Natarajan, Vocal (2018)
- Sruti Sarathy, Violin (2018)
Spring Repertory
Scene and Heard, 2018
Choreographers:
- Antoine Hunter, “Giggling Flame and Roaring Waves”*
- Bat Abbit, “The Sound of Snow”*
- Danielle Rowe, “Itchy Bot Bot (A Family Portrait)”*
- Graham Lustig, “Heartbreak Hotel”*
- Michael Lowe, “Kimono Wednesdays”*
- Romona Kelley and Vincent Chavez, “La Llorona”*
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2017
Choreographer:
- Graham Lustig, “Consort”*; “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Musicians:
- Dan Cromeenés, Countertenor
- Dominic Schaner, Lutenist
A Capella, Our Bodies Sing, 2016
Choreographers:
- Graham Lustig, “Stone of Hope”
- Janice Garret and Charles Moulton, “Divining”*
- Val Caniparoli, “Beautiful Dreamer”*
Musicians:
- Berkeley Community Chamber Singers, directed by Derek Tam
- Nona Brown and the Inspirational Music Collective, directed by Nona Brown
- Vajra Voices, directed by Karen R. Clarke
50th Anniversary Season, 2015
Choreographers:
- Alonzo King, “Love Dogs”
- Amy Seiwert, “Before it Begins”*
- Betsy Erickson, “A Moment – A Lifetime”*
- Bronislava Nijinska, “Le Train Bleu” (Pas de Deux); “Les Biches” (Adagietto)
- Carlos Carvajal, “Green”
- Eugene Loring, “Billy the Kid”
- Graham Lustig, “Luminaire”*
- Leonide Massine, “La Boutique Fantasque” (The Can-Can)
- Michael Lowe, “Horse Head Strings”*
- Mikhail Fokine, “Petrouchka” (Cell Scene); “Scheherazade” (Pas de Deux)
- Robert Moses, “Untitled”*
- Ronn Guidi, “The Secret Garden” Pas de Deux”
- Val Caniparoli, “Das Ballett”*
- Vaslav Nijinsky, “L’Apres-Midi d’un Faune”
Oakland-esque, 2014
Choreographers:
- Molissa Fenley , “Redwood Park”*
- Robert Moses, “TIP”*
- Sonya Delwaide, “Rocky Road”*
- Graham Lustig, “Turfland”
Guest Performing Groups:
- AXIS Dance Company
- Truffeinz
Musicians:
- Joan Jeanrenaud, Composer and Cellist
- Anna Wray, Percussionist
- Nava Dunkelman, Percussionist
Diaghilev Imagery, 2013
Choreographers:
- Amy Seiwert, “Les Biches”*
- Robert Moses, “Bloom”*
- Graham Lustig, “Pulcinella”*
Forwards! – 2011
Choreographers:
- Amy Seiwert, “Response to Change”
- Sonya Delwaide, “……”
- Graham Lustig, “Words within Words”; “VISTA”
East Bay Dances, 2015 – present
Hosted by Oakland Ballet Company, East Bay DANCES brings together a diverse collection of local dance companies from around the East Bay.
Guest Performing Groups:
- Ah-Lan Dance (2017)
- AXIS Dance Company (2015-2018)
- Ballet Folklórico México Danza (2017-2018)
- Chloe Isabelle Bowman (2015)
- Danse Lumière (2015)
- Destiny Arts Center (2015)
- Diablo Ballet (2015)
- DNAGA (2018)
- For Change Dance Collective (2017)
- Jaq Hannah Dalziel (2015)
- Jubilee American Dance Theater (2016-2018)
- Marika Brussel (2018)
- Milissa Payne Project (2017)
- Patty Chu’s Chinese Folk Dance (2016)
- Quicksilver Dance (2016)
- Savage Jazz Dance Company (2016-2018)
- Scratch Dance (2015)
- Shabnam Dance Company (2017-2018)
- Stephanie Unger & Artists (2018)
- Tessera Tribal Belly Dance (2015)
- The Milissa Payne Project (2015-2016)
- Turffeinz (2015)
- Urban Jazz Dance Company (2018)
- Van der Zwaan Dance Studio (2017)
*New Work Commissioned by Oakland Ballet Company
Index of Choreographers available here.