Guest artists join local rising talent for Mother’s Day weekend performance in Reading, PA.
From Berks Ballet Theatre
Berks Ballet Theatre (BBT) continues its 50th Anniversary Season with a milestone production of Swan Lake on Saturday, May 9, starting at 2 p.m., at the Miller Center for the Arts. Timed for Mother’s Day weekend, the performance offers a memorable cultural experience for families and the broader Berks County community. Tickets are available at BerksBalletTheatre.com.
For the first time in its 50-year history, BBT will present Act II and Act III of Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet, bringing audiences the most beloved and technically demanding moments of Swan Lake. Highlights include the ethereal lakeside adagio, the mesmerizing corps de ballet of swans, and the electrifying Black Swan pas de deux.
“This production represents both a celebration and a challenge,” said Nathan Bland, Artistic Director of Berks Ballet Theatre.
“Acts II and III contain some of the most demanding and beautiful choreography in classical ballet, and our dancers are ready to rise to that level as we mark this important anniversary.”
BBT company dancers will be joined by acclaimed guest artists Aaron Smyth and Diego Miranda-Monsman. Smyth’s distinguished career includes performances with American Ballet Theatre II, The Joffrey Ballet in New York City, and The Royal Ballet in London. Miranda-Monsman, currently with Ohio Contemporary Ballet, returns to BBT following his appearance in the company’s most recent performances of The Nutcracker.
In a showcase of local talent, Colette Jordan (14), a student at Exeter Township Senior High School, will perform the role of Odette, the Swan Queen. Hennessey Kehs-Rossi (15), of Schuylkill Valley High School, will take on the role of Odile, the Black Swan. Their casting underscores the strength of BBT’s training programs and its commitment to developing the next generation of performers.
Founded in 1976 by Carol Ennis, Berks Ballet Theatre has long served as a cornerstone of the Berks County arts community. Under Bland’s leadership, the company continues to expand its artistic reach while remaining grounded in classical tradition.
In conjunction with the performance, BBT will host a community art auction fundraiser supporting its mission and future productions. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Related event: Community Art Auction Fundraiser
BBT will present a special community art auction as part of its 50th Anniversary celebration. The event will feature original works and unique items, with proceeds directly supporting the organization’s artistic and educational programs. More information will be available at BerksBalletTheatre.com.
About Swan Lake
Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake is one of the most celebrated ballets of all time. The story follows Prince Siegfried and Odette, a princess transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse. Known for its sweeping score, emotional depth, and iconic choreography, the ballet explores themes of love, deception, and transformation. Its dual roles of Odette (the White Swan) and Odile (the Black Swan) are considered among the most demanding in classical ballet, requiring both technical precision and dramatic range.
About Berks Ballet Theatre
Founded in 1976, Berks Ballet Theatre has been a vital part of the region’s cultural landscape for five decades. Through its performances and the Berks Ballet Theatre Conservatory of Dance, the organization provides high-level training and performance opportunities for aspiring dancers while enriching the local arts community.
