ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
Commissioned by Dayton Ballet in 1996, FIVE FLIGHTS UP is a short work to the music of Squirrel Nut Zippers. Mills’ ballet is made in five sections which fall out as two duets, a quartet and two full group sections. The music has a 1920s style to it and the dance follows a rather vaudeville track. It’s a non-narrative piece with lots of humor. Mills comments, “It’s fairly quick and a little sexy.”
CHOREOGRAPHY: Stephen Mills
MUSIC: Squirrel Nut Zippers
Photography by Anne Marie Bloodgood & Paul Michael Bloodgood
All rights reserved | No unauthorized use
HIGHLIGHTS
- Choreography: Stephen Mills
- Music: Squirrel Nut Zippers
- Costume Design: Jorge Gallardo
- Lighting Design: Tony Tucci
- Run-time: 15 minutes
- Dancers: 8 (4 women & 4 men)
PREMIERES
DAYTON BALLET
Dayton, OH – 1998 (World Premiere)
THE BASS CONCERT HALL | BALLET AUSTIN
Austin, TX – 2000
THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE | BALLET AUSTIN
Austin, TX – 2007
PRESS
“‘Five Flights Up’ was a posturing jazzy number and expressive enough to be straight out of some lost American musical.”
The Austin Chronicle
“Reminiscent of the burlesque-style of dance from the 1920s combined with the energetic beauty of ballet…sexy, free and fun…”
Austin Daily Texan
“‘Five Flights Up,’ made by Stephen Mills, reached a quick crescendo with its impressive lifts…”
Austin360.com