Discover Smuin’s 2021/22 Season!
2021/22 Season – Be Moved.
We are thrilled to announce the 2021/22 season and our return to live performances!
Our 2021/22 season delivers astounding, accessible and breathtaking productions. This season will move you from Amy Seiwert’s irresistible Patsy Cline tribute, Dear Miss Cline, and our most fiercely festive The Christmas Ballet ever to Smuin’s premiere of You Are Here created by internationally acclaimed choreographer Gina Patterson. Be entertained by Val Caniparoli’s provocative modern narrative, Confessions, and two world premiere works created by current Smuin dancers, Vignettes by Tessa Barbour and Untwine by Brennan Wall.
The art of Smuin has never stopped.
Smuin’s virtual programming will continue with some performances exclusively available online, and our in-theater shows available for virtual viewing.
We hope you join us this season, whether that’s in-theater, online, or both!
Photo by Chris Hardy
Dance Series 2 – P.S. Forever Smuin
Confessions by Val Caniparoli
Renaissance by Amy Seiwert and two premieres by current Smuin artists:
Vignettes by Artists Tessa Barbour and Untwine by Brennan Wall
Performance run time is 1 hour 55 minutes
First premiered by Smuin in spring of 2018, Confessions, originally named If I Were a Sushi Roll, makes its playful return in Dance Series 2 – P.S. Forever Smuin. Iconic dancemaker Val Caniparoli captures what the San Francisco Chronicle called “truly, madly, funny and spirit-tingling” movement in his nine-part dance set to contemporary classical baroque by American composer Nico Muhly and Faroese singer/songwriter Teitur.
Renaissance by Amy Seiwert, a powerful dance inspired by the 385-mile “Women’s Wall” protest in India aimed at building awareness of gender equality on New Year’s Day 2019, is revived on the program. Seiwert’s ballet is set to an evocative a cappella soundtrack by Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble, an award-winning Oakland-based group specializing in the techniques of traditional and contemporary Balkan, Slavic, and Caucasian vocal styling.
Two world premieres by current Company Artists Tessa Barbour and Brennan Wall continue our correspondence in love letters with audiences. Be moved as we dance live again and spotlight Smuin’s astounding, accessible way of art.
DS2 – P.S. Forever Smuin Virtual shows
Dates and Locations
April 29-May 1 & May 5-7, 2022: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard Street, San Francisco
May 19-22, 2022: Mountain View Center for the Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View
May 27-28, 2022: Sunset Center, San Carlos Street at 9th Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Photo by Chris Hardy
Dance Series 1 – Love, Smuin
You Are Here by Gina Patterson
Dear Miss Cline by Amy Seiwert
Been Through Diamonds by Amy Seiwert
Digital Program
Virtual Dance Series 1 Casting
Love, Smuin is our 21/22 Dance Series 1. Live and virtual performances have ended. You can watch a panel about the program.
Artists’ Insights panel
On Monday, March 28 our Artists’ Insights panel discussion was recorded on Zoom. Choreographers Gina Patterson and Amy Seiwert join Celia Fushille and Company Artists Terez Dean Orr, Maggie Carey, Ian Buchanan and Tessa Barbour for a conversation about their work and the DS1 performances.
Love, Smuin includes Smuin’s premiere of You Are Here created by internationally acclaimed choreographer Gina Patterson. Premiering with Cincinnati Ballet in 2013, The Cincinnati Enquirer called the ballet, “Forceful and swirling . . . an endless series of surprises.” Patterson’s unforgettable work about loss and perseverance is set to the music of Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi.
Two favorites by former Smuin Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Seiwert are on the program. Be entertained by the incomparable Dear Miss Cline, a cheekily charming tribute to Patsy Cline, celebrated country singer who is remembered for her irresistible crossover hits. And Seiwert’s breathtaking Been Through Diamonds, her first work upon retirement from dancing in 2008, puts her geometrically inventive movement on display through a neoclassical look at relationships between four couples, set to Mozart’s String Quintet in C Minor.
Mentored as a choreographer by Michael Smuin while dancing with the Company and appointed Choreographer-in-Residence by Celia Fushille, Seiwert’s work has been described by The San Francisco Chronicle as “keeping founder Michael Smuin’s legacy of unabashed showmanship alive.”
You will be moved by the life, humanity, and irresistible creativity that Amy Seiwert and Gina Patterson bring with every show.
Previous Live Performances – Casting
February 24-27, 2022: Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View – casting
February 18-19, 2022: Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek – casting
February 11-13, 2022: Cowell Theater,2 Marina Boulevard, San Francisco – casting
February 4-6, 2022: Cowell Theater, 2 Marina Boulevard, San Francisco – casting
Photo by David DeSilva
Smuin’s The Christmas Ballet
Smuin’s fiercely festive The Christmas Ballet is a confection for everyone on your list. Your favorite choreography by Michael Smuin returns along with new delights from brilliant guest dancemakers. This year includes two world premieres and our signature showcase of classical and contemporary dances set to songs of the season.
The San Francisco Chronicle declared our holiday, on-stage tradition to be a gift of “sheer joy . . . the finest toast to the season.”
The two acts of The Christmas Ballet feature the best of both worlds: sublime classical ballet set to carols and red-hot contemporary works set to pop favorites. Don’t miss all the new treats we’ll unwrap this year composed of Smuin’s signature medley of ballet, contemporary, character, Broadway jazz, and tap.
December 21 at YBCA, join us for Smuin’s spectacular holiday tradition The Christmas Ballet LGBTQ+ Night. Special guest star Mercedez Munro, hosts the evening and after party to celebrate our vibrant LGBTQ+ community, while raising funds for Project Open Hand.
The Christmas Ballet will also be offered as a virtual on-demand streaming option from Thanksgiving through the New Year featuring Celia Fushille in the signature role that she created: “Santa Baby.”
Past Performances
December 22-26, 2021: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard Street, San Francisco – Click the link to open, view, download, or print casting
December 21, 2021: LGBTQ+ Night – casting
December 16-26, 2021: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard Street, San Francisco – casting
December 10-11, 2021: Sunset Center, San Carlos Street at 9th Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea – casting
December 2-5, 2021: Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View – casting
November 19-20, 2021: Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek – casting
Photo by Max van der Sterre
The Christmas Ballet – Virtual Edition
An archival version of Smuin’s The Christmas Ballet will be available as a virtual, on-demand viewing option from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. Do not miss the festive film version of Smuin’s The Christmas Ballet with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view Celia Fushille’s unforgettable performance in the role she created: the illimitable “Santa Baby.”
The San Francisco Chronicle declared Smuin’s holiday on-stage gift, “sheer joy . . . the finest toast to the season.”
The Christmas Ballet features the best of both worlds in two acts: sublime classical ballet set to carols and red-hot contemporary works set to pop favorites.
Celebrate the holidays from the comfort of home or send the virtual performance as a gift to friends and family around the globe. Purchase unlimited virtual access to Smuin’s delightful medley of ballet, contemporary, character, Broadway jazz, and tap for $29.
Photos by Chris Hardy and Max van der Sterre
The Christmas Ballet-Virtual Edition
Photo by Chris Hardy