Alberta Ballet leaps at chance to dance for Texas audience

The nationally acclaimed Alberta Ballet is leaping to new heights after dancing in Houston, Texas at the end of January.

Alberta Ballet is participating in an exchange with the Houston Ballet in the hopes of exposing audiences in both cities to vibrant, newtalent.

Knowing that the audience appreciated the performance so much was a hugerequital for the investment and the risk we took, said Jean Grand-Maitre, the artistic director of Alberta Ballet.

That's why we do it, to come here and touch an audience. To bring Alberta culture with us.

Grand-Maitre said the exchange works well because the two companies are able to rent the stage props andcostumes from each others shows which reduces the expense of launching a brand new, original performance.

It just felt like it was a really nice exchange, said Stanton Welch, the artistic director of the Houston Ballet, adding that they have done previous exchanges with Montreal.

Ballet lovers in Alberta will be able to enjoy the fruits of the Houston-Albertaexchange in May when the Houston Ballet performs in Edmonton and Calgary.