ABT Presents THE INNOVATION INITIATIVE Benefit 10/12

American Ballet Theatre will showcase the choreographic work of four Company members with The Innovation Initiative, a one-night-only benefit at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, on Tuesday evening, October 12 at 6:00pm.

The Innovation Initiative will be highlighted by the World Premieres of four works choreographed by members of American Ballet Theatre and performed by dancers from the Company. Choreographers for The Innovation Initiative are Gemma Bond, Nicola Curry, Daniel Mantei and Craig Salstein. The performance is the culmination of ABT's four-week choreographic workshop under the mentorship of Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie, ABT Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky and Stephen Pier.

The benefit evening, which begins at 6:00pm, kicks off with an Innovators Celebration Dinner in The Allen Room, followed by a performance at Rose Theater at 8:00pm.

Ruthe and Tony Ponturo are the Lead Underwriting Sponsors for American Ballet Theatre's Innovation Initiative. Co-Chairmen are Joan Taub Ades and Alan Ades, Avery and Andy Barth, Susan and Leonard Feinstein, Robin Chemers Neustein and Sharon L. Patrick. Vice Chairmen are Lisa and Dick Cashin, Barry R. Fierstein, Linda Allard Gallen, Laura and Jamie Rosenwald and Jean and Larry Shaw. ABT Principal Dancer David Hallberg will serve as the evening's Artistic Co-Chairman.

"The Innovation Initiative was created with a sole purpose of nurturing the exploration of new movement, giving choreographers a platform for experimentation," said Hallberg. "We hope this program will set a course to discover new ideas and nurture creativity."

A festive After Party with dancing will immediately follow the performance in The Allen Room with the cast and members of the Company. Benefit tickets for The Innovation Initiative are priced at $1,000 and include a benefit dinner, performance and After Party with the cast. Tickets for the performance and post-reception are priced at $350. For benefit tickets and information, please call American Ballet Theatre's Special Events office at 212-477-3030, ext. 3239. A limited number of performance-only tickets, priced $30-$75, will be available at the Frederick P. Rose Hall box office, beginning September 26 or by calling CenterCharge at 212-721-6500. Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, is located on Broadway at 60th Street.