Grimm Tales
Commissioned by the Butler New Choreography Endowment
Concept and Choreography by Stephen Mills, Inspired by the Artwork of Natalie Frank
They were meant as cautionary tales, to keep us on the straight and narrow. But many familiar childhood stories started as grim reminders of what happens when naiveté meets wickedness, and the balance between good and evil is in question. In this new, full-length work, made possible through the generous support of the Butler New Choreography Endowment, Artistic Director Stephen Mills delves into the underbelly of some of your favorite fairy tales and shows you the real beauty of the lessons they impart. Inspired by the visual art of Natalie Frank, the world premiere of Grimm Tales will leave you unsettled, unafraid, and undeniably hungry for more.
MUSIC: Graham Reynolds
Graham Reynolds’ original score for Grimm Tales is funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts.
DRAWINGS: Natalie Frank
SCENIC/PROP DESIGN: George Tsypin
COSTUME DESIGN: Constance Hoffman
LIGHTING DESIGN: Tony Tucci
PROJECTION DESIGN: Howard Werner
STORY: Edward Carey
WINNER OF 7 AUSTIN CRITICS TABLE AWARDS!
- 2018/19 BEST DANCE CONCERT: Ballet Austin
- 2018/19 BEST CHOREOGRAPHY: Stephen Mills
- 2018/19 BEST ORIGINAL COMPOSITION/SCORE: Graham Reynolds
- 2018/19 BEST COSTUMING: Constance Hoffman
- 2018/19 BEST DIGITAL DESIGN: Howard Lerner (based on the original artwork of Natalie Frank)
- 2018/19 BEST DANCER: Aara Krumpe (“Snow White”), Oliver-Greene-Cramer (“The Frog King”)
This production runs approximately 80 minutes without intermission and is recommended for ages 10 and older.
Photos by Anne Marie Bloodgood
Meet the Creative Team
Stephen Mills, Sarah & Ernest Butler Family Fund Artistic Director
Natalie Frank, Artist
Graham Reynolds, Composer
George Tsypin, Scenic Design & Props
Constance Hoffman, Costume Designer
Tony Tucci, Lighting Design
Howard Werner, Projection Design
Edward Carey, Dramatist
Mayhem and Murder Star in a Fairy Tale Ballet
‘Grimm Tales,’ a new production at Ballet Austin in Texas, sees three stories from the Brothers Grimm through the perspective of artist Natalie Frank. Ms. Frank worked with costume designer Constance Hoffman on the look of the three tales in the ballet: ‘The Frog King, ‘Snow White’ and ‘The Juniper Tree.’
An in-depth review of Grimm Tales from Kelly Crow at The Wall Street Journal.