The Richmond Ballet is heading overseas.
The company has been invited to make its international debut June 15-16 at the Linbury Studio Theatre, an underground theater within London's Royal Opera House at Covent Garden.
It's an opportunity few American ballet companies experience, said Richmond Ballet Artistic Director Stoner Winslett.
The Royal Opera House is home to the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera.
The 400-seat Linbury theater is a technologically advanced space, with retractable seating and a stage floor that can be raised or lowered. It often serves as the venue for performances by the Royal Ballet School.
Richmond's entire professional company of about 20 people will travel to England in June, Winslett said. It will perform pieces that emphasize classic American ballet style from artists like George Balanchine and John Butler, as well as pieces commissioned by the company. "Made in America: Traditions and Innovations" features Balanchine's "Valse Fantaisie," Butler's "After Eden," Ma Cong's "Ershter Vals" and Val Caniparoli's "Swipe."
After its London appearance, the ballet will perform June 19 in Richmond's sister city of Richmond upon Thames.
Winslett said Richmond hosted graduate students from the Royal Ballet last year and a partnership bloomed.
"Their personnel saw our company," she said. "We were just lucky that they happened to meet us that way."
Richmond Ballet will preview the London tour June 6-8 at the Studio Theatre, 407 E. Canal St.
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