Christopher Fleming- (Director/Choreographer)
As a member of the New York City Ballet, I danced Principal roles in works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and Peter Martins. He also headed a group of soloists and principals from the New York City Ballet, which toured Europe with his choreography as well as that of George Balanchine. With Mr. Balanchine's encouragement he embarked on a career as a choreographer and received a fellowship from the National Choreographic Institute under the Direction of Barbara Weissburger.
I served as the Artistic Director of the Compañia Colombiana de Ballet at the Teatro Colon in Bogota, Colombia from 1985 to 1990. Later, I was named Artistic Director of Bay Ballet Theatre in Tampa, Florida in 1993. For ten years he served as Assistant Director and Resident Choreographer for The Rock School for Dance Education.
I have choreographed a broad variety of works appearing in the repertoire of a number of different companies. Included are traditional full-length works such as The Nutcracker (four different productions) and Romeo And Juliet (on three different companies) as well as original full-length works Gaspar and Dracula.
I have directed for the stage an international tour of the play K2 and choreographed the world premiere of Honky Tonk Angels the Garth Brooks musical. His work was seen Off-Broadway with the choreography for Anne Frank And Me at the American Jewish Theatre. He has choreographed The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe as well as Candide! for the famed Prince Musical Theatre in Philadelphia.
In1997, I Choreographed and staged the Grand Opening Ceremonies for the World Premiere of the international museum tour, TITANIC The Exhibition in Memphis, TN. It was presented on the 85th Anniversary of the sinking of the great ship in the Pyramid Arena before a live audience of 5,000. During this same year his Pas de Deux Opus Three was created for former Kirov Ballet principals, Elena Martinson and Andrei Ustinov and was presented at the 1996 Anniversary Gala for the National Theatre of Estonia.
In 2000 I created the acclaimed rock and roll ballet Janis & Joe for The Dayton Ballet. In 2000 I was commissioned by the Anton Dvorak Opera House in Ostrava, Czech Republic to choreograph a major work celebrating the life and work of Anton Dvorak. For this piece I utilized the resources of the Czech National Opera, Ballet and Orchestra. Additionally in 2000 he created two new works for Russia's St. Petersburg Male Ballet, both of which have been featured in their international engagements.
In 2001 I created Edge of Assurances for The Ohio Ballet with a percussion score. Additionally in 2001 he was co commissioned by The Dayton Ballet and The Ohio Ballet to create the critically acclaimed humorous baseball themed ballet Play Ball! - A Ballet in Nine Innings. And in 2002 he created the special dance / theatre work The Awakening for the Grand Opening of International Artist, Jean Claude Gaugy’s new museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
In 2003, I created and choreographed an ABC television special Degas and the Dance. The Television Special explored the unique relationship between the artist Degas and the ballet. This was done in collaboration with The Degas exhibition touring the United States. In the Opera world that year he choreographed three Operas for The Sarasota Opera as well as Aida (2004) and Porgy and Bess (2005) for The Delaware Opera.
My choreographic awards include Silver Medals at the Festival Des Arts Des St. Sauveur in Quebec, Canada. The Silver Medal from the International Competition in San juan, Puerto Rico and the Special Choreographic Award from the Youth American Grand Prix. Mywork has been featured by the Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal Winners at The Youth America Grand Prix, The Cuban National Ballet Competition, The Moscow International Ballet Competition, The NY International Ballet Competition and the USA International Ballet Competition. I starred in and choreographed for MTV’s hit program the “MADE SHOW”. The program received the highest rating in MTV’s history. I has also choreographed for the award winning Television Show, “Rescue Me”
In 2006/2007, I choreographed and directed, to critical acclaim a new and unique version of The Who’s Classic Rock Album, “TOMMY”. From 2007 thru 2010 he has created no less than 4 new works including a new full-length production of A. Dumas’ Classic Tale of “The 3 Musketeers”, new Ballets “Strings”, “Far Rockaway” and a new Ballet for Concierto of Puerto Rico.
“The Myth and the Madness of Edgar Allan Poe” represents the world premiere of my newly formerd Dance Company, “BalletFleming”.
