Vitacca Ballet presents LAUNCH

at Miller Outdoor Theatre
June 6, 2025

Letter from the Artistic Director

Welcome to LAUNCH, an evening of contemporary ballet exploring the essence of embarking on new artistic journeys, inspired by discovery, adventure, and change. Combining classical ballet with contemporary ideas, it evokes wonder, excitement, and introspection.

LAUNCH is a curation of internationally renowned choreographers, Garrett Smith, Ethan Colangelo, Hélène Simoneau plus Houston native, Alana Jones. This evening’s curation features the dynamic professional dancers of Vitacca Ballet and ensures to deliver the highest quality of performance. Also to be seen, the Vitacca Ballet Studio Company in an original work by Ilya Kozadayev and featuring 2025 Prix de Lausanne Candidate, Aubrey Daniels. With the acclaim of “Standout Performance” from Pointe Magazine, Vitacca Ballet is a rare Houston gem not to be missed.

We hope that LAUNCH is an approachable opportunity for Houston to experience Vitacca Ballet’s developing artistic voice and be a part of an everlasting relationship within our city and beyond. Thank you for joining us.

Kelly Ann Vitacca, Artistic Director & Founder

About Vitacca Ballet

Vitacca Ballet is ranked amongst the most prestigious companies in the country. Pointe Magazine’s Nancy Wozny called out Vitacca Ballet, specifically company artists Jordan Hooks and Joshua Ponton’s performance in Hypnotic Forces by brilliant Resident Choreographer Garrett Smith as one of the “12 Standout Performances of 2023.” Wozny states, “Jordan Hooks and Joshua Ponton delivered a powerful concluding duet that oscillated between tenderness and anxious watchfulness, with a tension that never let up even during its most intimate moments.”

Artistic Director and Founder Kelly Ann Vitacca comments, “We are thrilled to have Vitacca Ballet, and our Resident Choreographer Garrett Smith featured in Pointe Magazine’s “12 Standout Performances of 2023.” This contemporary ballet by Smith incapsulates the type of fresh, progressive, and quality artistry Vitacca Ballet brings to the greater Houston area and beyond.”

Named as “2024 Best Dance Show” by Texas Arts & Cultre Magazine, Vitacca Ballet’s past seasons have included world premieres by Ethan Colangelo, Garrett Smith, Robyn Mineko Williams, Cherice Barton, Tina Kay Bohnstedt, Hélène Simoneau, Micaela Taylor, Sean Aaron Carmon, Alana Jones, Autumn Eckman, Madison Hicks, Beth Twigs, Andrea Dawn Shelley and more. “The choreographic talent Vitacca Ballet brings to Houston is unique and exploratory,” comments Ms. Vitacca. “From returning audience favorites to new choreographers bringing their distinctive perspective to the stage, each season is transformational for the contemporary ballet scene in Houston. We pride ourselves on offering a space of incubation for choreographers to collaborate with our dancers as the creation takes form.

Vitacca Ballet prides itself on supporting the development of the Texas arts scene by offering a home and supporting income to artists from across the globe. Founded in 2020 as the pandemic brought artists home to Houston, Ms. Vitacca strived to keep artists employed, and the Houston arts scene alive with project-based work. This experience laid the framework for the launch of Vitacca Ballet in 2021. “I am motivated by the support Vitacca Ballet has received in the four seasons since its inception. Houston’s passionate arts community has allowed for Vitacca Ballet to grow as a leading organization ensuring the future of professional contemporary ballet with seasoned dancers in the greater Houston area,” comments Ms. Vitacca.

LAUNCH

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20 MINUTE INTERMISSION

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View Company Artists biographies

Leadership

Founder, Artistic Director Kelly Ann Vitacca

Ballet Masters Tina Bohnstedt, Louise Lester, John Henry Reid, Andrea Dawn Shelley

Production

Lighting Design & Concept

Stage Manager

Wardrobe

Administrative Staff

Assistant to Director Annika Dalbratt

Development Madelyn Martinez

Marketing Shauna Tysor + Smith & Sacco

Office Manager Ava Dempster

Thank You

Vitacca Ballet extends our sincere gratitude to our Donors and Sponsors. Their support aids our organization through this season of growth, and we are forever thankful. Thank you for believing in Vitacca and what we contribute to the Texas arts community!

AMBASSADOR CIRCLE
Douglas Kenaley
Kasandra Vitacca Mitchell
Katherine Stevens

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
Heather Camden
Nicole Seiguer
Kevin + Carissa Sullivan
The Vigil Family

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
Anonymous
Ken Yanowski
The Jefferson Family

ARTISTS CIRCLE
CC Conner
Michael Elliff
Kelly Robinson
Nicole Solari
Andrew Bowen Studios
Anonymous

CORPORATE SONOSORS
Alexis Mendoza + NAN Properties
EVENTS by M + E