Contributed/ETSU

The Kingsport Ballet Company’s VINCENT – An Original Contemporary Ballet, inspired by the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh, will be performed at the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts Saturday, June 27 at 7:00 P.M. and Sunday, June 28 at 2:30 P.M.

The Kingsport Ballet’s Executive Director, Bertina Dew, shares how deeply personal this original ballet is. “As an artist and art therapist who grew up studying art and artists, I always connected with Van Gogh’s struggle. I studied his art, painted my own versions of his paintings, and visited the Van Gogh museum in the Netherlands.”

Her long-standing connection to Vincent Van Gogh has shaped the creation of the ballet; her family ties have only deepened her appreciation for the artist. 

“His work was representative, but as a post-impressionist, he used brush strokes and color to represent emotion, not just scenes he observed,” Dew said. “Inspired by the emotional power of contemporary movement and the beauty and strength of classical ballet, I envisioned a small scene about 10 years ago and saved it in a notebook along with some notes.”

“So in 2024 we reached out to our contemporary choreographer, Erika Ballard, who also choreographed our original contemporary ballet Seeds of Change – she is a master at creating deeply moving choreography.” Ballard is also an Adjunct Professor of ballet in the Department of Theater and Dance at ETSU. 

After crafting a sketch of the show, other choreographers were invited to contribute, including Leonid Flegmatov, Irma Cardano, Erica Dew, and Raleigh Shelton.

“This actually illustrates what makes this show special – a wonderful collaboration between committed artists,” Dew said. 

The scenes brought his paintings to life with hand-painted backdrops and costuming. The show progressed through Vincent’s discoveries, struggles and challenges. Ballard brought the idea of Van Gogh’s character being represented by two Vincents, one being the original and one being manic, to represent his inner struggles. 

“The combination of Vincent’s artwork coming to life through the enormous talent and great training of our dancers makes for a moving and immersive experience in the arts,” Dew said. 

The lead “Vincent” is played by Graham Barnes, currently with Nashville Ballet 2, and will join the company at Nevada Ballet soon. Barnes grew up at the Kingsport Ballet. “Graham’s stage presence and moving representation of his character, blended with the work of our own professional and student companies, make us proud to have cultivated this kind of art creation right here in East Tennessee,” Dew said. 

The production was first staged in June 2025, but will return June 27-28 at the ETSU Martin Center. Dew comments that there are some changes and additions to the ballet.

“For instance, Ms Ballard is adding ‘Almond Blossoms’ to the choreography, which will feature costumes made in part with Naia fabric produced and donated by Eastman,” Dew said. 

Tickets are available at the Martin Center for the Arts website. General Admission tickets are $23, Senior (65+) and Student Tickers (high school and younger) are $18, and University Student tickets are $10. 

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