Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Promotes Diana Yohe to Soloist

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr has promoted company dancer Diana Yohe, of Willoughby, Ohio, to the rank of soloist for the 2017-2018 ballet season, which opens Oct. 27-29, with "Dracula" at the Benedum Center.

Yohe, an alumna of the PBT School Graduate program, joined the company in 2013 as a member of the Corps de Ballet. Over her four seasons with PBT, she has danced an increasing number of featured roles, including Myrtha in PBT's October production of "Giselle" and Alice in its February production of "Alice in Wonderland."

Her repertoire also includes featured roles in George Balanchine's "Western Symphony;" Ji?í Kylián's "Petite Mort" and "Sinfonietta;" William Forsythe's "In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated," Twyla Tharp's "In the Upper Room;" Michael Smuin's "Eternal Idol;" James Kudelka's "The Man in Black;" Dwight Rhoden's "Ave Maria;" and Marie and the Sugar Plum Fairy in PBT's "The Nutcracker."

"Diana already has earned a number of leading roles in PBT productions, which makes this promotion incredibly well-deserved," Orr said. "She brings a special quality to the stage, not only with exceptional technique, but also with a charisma that draws your eye whether she's dancing a solo or corps role. I look forward to seeing all that she's capable of achieving as a soloist."

Yohe trained under Courtney Laves and Mark Otloski at the City Ballet of Cleveland before pursuing pre-professional training in Joffrey Ballet's Trainee Program and in PBT School's Graduate Program, which she joined in 2012.

Yohe will next take the stage in PBT's 2016-2017 Season finale production of "Romeo and Juliet" with the PBT Orchestra, onstage for five performances April 21-23, at the Benedum Center. Tickets start at $28 and are available at www.pbt.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or visiting the Box Office at Theater Square. Groups of eight or more can save up to 50 percent by calling 412-454-9101 or emailing groupsales@pittsburghballet.org.

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