Setting the Stage is an ongoing series with HOPE MUIR, who has been named Charlotte Ballet’s new Artistic Director beginning July 2017. Hope will offer insight into the planning of her first season with Charlotte Ballet for 2017/2018 and what she’s up to in current role as Assistant Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet. Enjoy the second part in the series and check out PART ONE.

Welcome to 2017 and what an exciting year it promises to be. I am currently in the throes of planning my move to Charlotte as well as embarking on my last UK and US tour with SCOTTISH BALLET.  Since my appointment I have been busy with the team at Charlotte Ballet planning my inaugural season and negotiating all the different components that will be required. I have been fortunate enough to have visited Charlotte many times over the past few months and it has been my great pleasure to have been given the opportunity to get to know and engage with the entire organization. I have been humbled by my time working with the wonderful dancers in the studio and it has been a great privilege to see the company perform in what was a truly inspiring program for Fall Works as well as a fantastically curated and creative INNOVATIVE WORKS program.

On one of my visits last autumn, I was able to direct the photo shoot that will accompany the repertoire for my first year as Artistic Director. I was also able to invite a long-time collaborator and friend, photographer TODD ROSENBERG, to Charlotte to help me realize the vision for the season in partnership with the amazing folks at Mythic. The results of the photo shoot have already proven to be encouraging and the campaign will bring a uniquely fresh approach to the fusion between architecture and dance. I’m sure that these images will bring a sense of familiarity to most of you.

As we move forward into 2017, I will be holding AUDITIONS for the Company in New York on February 5.  I then have a busy spring with Scottish Ballet in what will be my farewell tour as Assistant Artistic Director. We will be presenting a program at the JOYCE THEATER in New York as well as a remount of Streetcar Named Desire that will be performed in both Los Angeles and Berkeley. In my final few weeks with Scottish Ballet I will rehearse the company in Crystal Pite’s award winning Emergence for our London season at Sadlers Wells. I will then have to say goodbye to all my friends and family here at Scottish Ballet and make the move across the pond to the US to begin this most incredible adventure with Charlotte Ballet.