Corporate sponsorship by MotionWear

This activity is made possible in part by the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency, with funds from the Indiana General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts

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Transport yourself into a magical world of fantasy, a time when immortal dryads in the ancient forests co-existed with human heroes and evil wizards; a time when eagles could speak and monstrous gargoyles guarded impregnable fortresses of evil.

Imagine you are with the hero Aldric, fleeing for his life as he seeks to avenge the destruction of his village but instead finds himself in a cruel land ruled by dangerous and hostile creatures. But there is a spot of refuge within this chaotic world, and only the great eagle of the World Tree can tell him where to find it. Once Aldric enters the enchanted forest and falls in love with the beautiful willow-dryad Salisa, his life will be changed forever, and they both will be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice so that the world of the Tree-folk will not be utterly forgotten.

The great forests of myth are fading, and our trees are still and silent. Yet 'The Willow Maiden' takes us back to a mythological prehistory which comes to life with graceful dancers and beautiful sets and costumes, accompanied by a full orchestra playing the epic score composed by Frank Felice. Join us as the slumbering trees reawaken to whisper of their glorious past...

The world premiere of The Willow Maiden took place April 25-27, 2003 at Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Willow Maiden is a new full-length fantasy ballet which draws its inspiration from many traditions of mythology and fantasy literature. The ballet depicts the forbidden love of Aldric, the hero, and Salisa, the willow dryad, and their struggle against Balor, the evil wizard whose actions have doomed the world of the Tree-folk.

The Willow Maiden featured the pre-professional dancers of the Butler Ballet in original choreography by Butler Dance Faculty members Stephan Laurent, Cynthia Pratt, and Norman Walker. The ballet combined the talents of many departments of Butler University's Jordan College of Fine Arts (JCFA), including a commissioned score by Butler University composer Frank Felice on an original libretto by Ellen Denham. The original score was played by the Butler Symphony Orchestra. The set design and construction was by Karl Kaufman; costumes by Susan Owens. Butler's PBS station, WTBU, will be broadcasting the ballet some time in June 2003. The Indianapolis-based MotionWear company was the corporate sponsor for this world premiere.

NEW! Now that the show has opened, you can read how the press welcomed the event...

The latest review (in PDF format) from Charles Epstein in the Jewish Post & Opinion, concluding with these words: "This impressive production of 'The Willow Maiden' should be presented at Lincoln Center in New York and at the the Kennedy Center in Washington... The amazing collaborators of 'The Willow Maiden' at Butler University have created an instant classic."

From NUVO Newsweekly, in a review by Rita Kohn,these words of praise: "Everything was right about this stellar collaboration between story-maker Ellen Denham, dancemaker Stephan Laurent with Norman Walker and Cynthia Pratt, musicmaker Frank Felice and spectaclemakers Karl Kaufman (scenery), Susan Ownes (costumes) and Anthony Bauer (lighting)... The Willow Maiden is a ballet worthy of a long future life.". Should the article no longer be in Nuvo's archive, the PDF version of Rita's wonderful review is here.

This review by Whitney Smith, from the Indianapolis Star, notes that Ellen Denham's tale "is effectively realized in part due to the simple, dramatic movement patterns that Laurent staged with his fellow Butler professors, Norman Walker and Cynthia Pratt". It also praises Frank Felice's composition: "Felice's score paces scenes vividly, thanks to a richly orchestrated ensemble, offering everything from the mystical bell-like sound of a celesta to a sinister contrabassoon."

NEW! Pictures of the actual performance... Click on the thumbnails to see larger versions, then use your browser's BACK button to return to this page. All photos (c) 2003 the Butler Ballet.

From the Indianapolis Eye, a very nice article by Michael Vance announcing the premiere of the ballet.

From Tolkien Online, a very thorough and enlightening front-page interview of the librettist, Ellen Denham. A must read!

Studio photos of David Ingram as the hero, Aldric, and Jinny Campbell as Salisa, the heroine. Click on the pictures to see larger versions, then use your browser's BACK button to return to this page. All photos (c) 2003 the Butler Ballet.

You can now listen to some excepts from the epic score by Frank Felice! All are in RealPlayer(tm) format, most are MIDI renditions (except for "The Battle at the Gate" which actually features the Butler Symphony in rehearsal). (c) 2003 Frank Felice & the Butler Ballet.
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  In June 2002, librettist Ellen Denham was awarded an Individual Artist Grant by the Indiana Arts Commission for her work as the ballet's librettist and dramaturgist.

The Willow Maiden is being discussed on internet bulletin boards and fantasy and dance enthusiasts from around the country are making plans to attend. Read or join in some of the discussion here (Tolkien Online) and here (criticaldance.com). You may also wish to join our Yahoo discussion list.

Over Labor Day weekend 2002, Stephan Laurent and Ellen Denham unveiled excerpts of the newly composed score at DragonCon, a science fiction and fantasy convention in Atlanta, GA. This presentation was greeted with enthusiastic applause.

Tickets, ranging from $15 to $20, are on sale now, and can be obtained at the box office of Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, or by calling Telecharge at 800/732-0804 or 317/940-6444. Many performances sell out quickly; ordering your tickets early will ensure the best seat selection.

You are invited to join the Willow Maiden discussion group hosted by Yahoo! Groups, a free, easy-to-use community service. By joining willowmaiden, you will be able to exchange messages with other group members, store photos and files, coordinate events and more.

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