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Wed. Jul. 10, 2024 7p.m.

Eisenhower Theater

  • Runtime

    75 minutes

  • Event Info

    This is a Private Event

  • Tickets & Info

Korean National Ballet's Gala Performance

Artistic Director: Suejin Kang
featuring Guest Principal Dancers
Hee Seo of American Ballet Theatre (ABT)
Eun Won Lee of The Washington Ballet (TWB)

The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) proudly presents this celebration of cultural exchange between the Republic of Korea and the United States at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts featuring Korea's premier performing arts ensemble, the Korean National Ballet, under the guidance of artistic director Suejin Kang. This special event presents a curated selection of timeless classics and captivating contemporary works from the global ballet repertoire and features esteemed principal dancers Hee Seo and Aran Bell of the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) and Eun Won Lee and Ariel Martinez of The Washington Ballet (TWB) as special guests, symbolizing the enduring cultural bonds between two nations.

Patrons are requested to silence cell phones and other electronic devices during performances.

The taking of photographs and the use of recording equipment are not allowed in this venue.
Program order and artists are subject to change.

Terms and Conditions

All events and artists subject to change without prior notice.

All ticket prices are subject to change based on demand. Purchase early to lock in prices and the best seats!

This event is an external rental presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and is not produced by the Kennedy Center.

Program

  • Grand Pas de Deux from Swan Lake
  • Finding Light
  • Pas de Deux from Hoi Rang
  • Quartet of the Soul
  • Season; SPRING
  • Swan Lake: White Swan Pas de Deux
  • Pas de Trois from Le Corsaire
  • Bow

Meet the Artists

The Korean National Ballet was founded in 1962 as the first professional ballet company in Korea. Today, it features a superb and versatile troupe of Korean dancers capable of performing an extensive repertoire. The Korean National Ballet has worldwide acclaimed repertoires such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Spartacus, and La Bayadère choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich, Giselle by Patrice Bart, The Taming of the Shrew by John Cranko, Sleeping Beauty by Marcia Haydée, Anna Karenina by Christian Spuck, Serenade and Jewels by George Balanchine, Forgotten Land and Sechs Tänze by JiÅ™í Kylián, The Seventh Symphony by Uwe Scholz, The Rite of Spring by Glen Tetley,  La Fille mal gardée by Frederick Ashton, and The Little Mermaid by John Neumeier. Also, the Korean National Ballet has presented its own versions of Le Corsaire> in 2020 and Don Quixote in 2023, based on Marius Petipa's famous classical ballets.

Dancers of Korean National Ballet

Kang Hyohyung, Kim Byeol, Park Seohyun, Sim Hyunhee, An Suyeon, Yang Heejae, Lee Eunseo, Lee Hayeon, Jung Eunji, Cho Yeonjae, Hwang Yubin, Kwak Donghyeon, Ryu Jewon, Byun Seongwan, Song Jungbin, Yang Junyoung, Lee Yoohong, Lee Jaewoo, Ha Jiseok, Heo Seomyeong

Program Notes

Grand Pas de Deux from Swan Lake

Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Choreography by Yuri Grigorovich

Performed by An Suyeon and Heo Seomyeong

Choreographed by living legend of Russian ballet Yuri Grigorovich, this piece from "Swan Lake" depicts a portion of Act 2, the ballroom scene, where audiences can witness the prima ballerina executing the pinnacle of technical mastery, including the famed 32 fouetté turns.

Finding Light

Music by Antonio Vivaldi

Choreography by Edwaard Liang (Artistic Director, The Washington Ballet)

Performed by Eun Won Lee and Ariel Martínez (The Washington Ballet)

"Finding Light" by choreographer Edwaard Liang is a captivating dance piece that explores themes of overcoming challenges, finding hope, and embracing new beginnings. Through expressive choreography and compelling movement, it communicates a powerful narrative that resonates with audiences, evoking a range of emotions and inspiring contemplation. It showcases Liang's unique style, emotional depth, and technical skill, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.

Pas de Deux from Hoi Rang

Music by Max Bruch (Scottish Fantasy, Op.46 - III. Andante Sostenuto, Arranged by Hwang Hojoon)

Choreography by Kang Hyohyung (The Korean National Ballet)

Performed by Joung Eunyoung and Lee Jaewoo

In 2019, the Korean National Ballet premiered its original full-length production choreographed by soloist Kang Hyo-hyung, telling the story of the dutiful daughter Lang, known through Jang Ji-yeon's "Il-Sa-Yu-Sa." The performance portrays tender scenes of love between the protagonists, Lang and Jung, as they affirm their affection for each other.

Quartet of the Soul

Music by Astor Piazzolla (Adios Nonino)

Choreography by Park Seulki (The Korean National Ballet)

Performed by Sim Hyunhee, Hwang Yubin, Byun Seongwan, and Kwak Donghyeon

Choreographed by acclaimed principal dancer Park Seul-gi for the 2016 National Ballet of Korea choreographer development project KNB Movement Series 2, this piece garnered rave reviews. Set to the music of Piazzolla's "Adiós Nonino," it features dancers embodying four different instruments with their bodies, creating a mesmerizing illusion of music emanating from their movements.

Season: SPRING

Music by Ju Bora (Seasons for More)

Choreography by Lee Youngcheol (The Korean National Ballet)

Performed by Kim Byeol, Lee Yoohong, and Ryu Jewon

Music Performed Live by Lee Hwayoung (Gayageum)

Expressing life's most beautiful moments like a painting, this live performance on the unique Korean instrument the Gayageum is accompanied by vocals that include the lyrics “You are my season, and I am your flower.”

Pas de Deux from The Seasons: Summer

Music by Alexander Glazunov

Choreography by Alexei Ratmansky

Performed by Hee Seo and Aran Bell (American Ballet Theatre)

"The Seasons" by Ratmansky is a ballet honoring original choreographer Marius Petipa's style with four acts representing each season. It features characters embodying elements of nature like Frost and Zephyr. The choreography mixes traditional and contemporary elements. Each season brings a unique atmosphere, from Winter's frozen start to Spring's celebration. Summer highlights friendship, and Fall is a lively finale.

Pas de Trois from Le Corsaire

Music by Adolphe Adam and others

Original Choreography by Marius Petipa

Adapted Choreography by Song Jungbin (The Korean National Ballet)

Performed by Cho Yeonjae, Ha Jiseok, and Yang Junyoung

Based on Lord Byron's narrative poem "The Corsair," this classical ballet masterpiece, re-choreographed in 2020 by soloist Song Jeong-bin, gained widespread recognition through performances in Switzerland and Germany in 2023, showcasing the Korean National Ballet's prowess in Europe. Extracting trios from the most renowned male and female dancers, it stands as a representation of the company's skill and artistry on the international stage.

Bow

Music by Won Il (The Space), Gil Seokgeun (percussion ensemble Geon, Gon, Gam, Ri)

Choreography by Kang Hyohyung (The Korean National Ballet)

Performed by Kang Hyohyung, Lee Hayeon, Jung Eunji, Lee Eunseo, Hwang Yubin, Yang Heejae, and Park Seohyun

Korean National Ballet’s soloist Kang Hyo-hyung's choreography, depicting the image of a "bow," symbolizing contrasting energies of strength and flexibility, vitality, and aggression, is expressed through the free interpretation of the choreographer and the powerful movements of female dancers, accompanied by traditional Korean percussion instruments.

Staff

Staff for Korean National Ballet

Kang Suejin I Artistic Director & CEO

Lee Jongmin I Managing Director

Sin Museop I Deputy Artistic Director

Park Il I Ballet Master

Shin Hyunseung I Director of Management Division

Oh Jahyun I Director of Planning Department

Lee Jung I Manager of Planning Department

Kim Hyunah I Director of Marketing & PR

Choi Taeeun I Team Member of Arts & Technical Support

Park Changmo I Technical Director

Lee Youngdon I Stage Manager

Park Seongjin I Sound Director

Kim Inok I Costume Director

Park Inhye I Makeup Director

Ko Eilarn I Trainer

Lee Hwayoung I Gayageum Musician

Siwon Baek I Lighting Disinger

Jeong Guhong I Lighting Programmer

Staff for Korean Cultural Center, Washington D.C.

Joonhoon Kim I KCCDC Director

Hyemee Baik I Director of Performing Arts

Sebastian Wang I Stage Director

Adam Wojciechowicz I Public Relation Specialist

Haseung Joung I Public Relation Manager

Staff for the Eisenhower Theater

  • Theater Manager
    J. Bret Burzio, Sr.*
  • Production Operations Director
    Melissa Santiago
  • Box Office Treasurer
    Ronald Payne
  • Head Carpenter
    Thomas M. Hewitt
  • Assistant Carpenter-Flies
    John P. Green
  • Head Electrician
    Thomas A. Benya
  • Assistant Electrician
    Michael Cassidy, Jr.
  • Head Usher
    Carol Anderson
  • Head Sound
    Matthew P. Snyder
  • Head Properties
    Matthew L. Roether
  • Head Wardrobe
    Rebecca A. Gessert
  • Assistant Property Manager
    Matthew M. Wooden

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*Represented by ATPAM, the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers.

Steinway Piano Gallery is the exclusive area representative of Steinway & Sons and Boston pianos, the official pianos of the Kennedy Center.

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The box office at the Kennedy Center is represented by I.A.T.S.E, Local #868.

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The technicians at the Kennedy Center are represented by Local #22, Local #772,  and Local #798 I.A.T.S.E., AFL-CIO-CLC, the professional union of theatrical technicians.

Thank You Supporters

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA

Korean Cultural Center, Washington D.C.

Korean National Ballet

The Washington Ballet

American Ballet Theatre