As renovations to the Leslie Cheek Theater at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts near completion, the museum and Richmond Ballet have announced that beginning March 20, the ballet company will move its repertory series, now known as “Moving Art,” to the theater.

“The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts welcomes the return of Richmond Ballet to the newly enhanced Cheek Theater,” said VMFA Director and CEO Alex Nyerges. “We’re delighted to be the new home for the Ballet’s innovative Moving Art performance series, which presents exciting opportunities for our audiences and artists.”

Richmond Ballet last performed in the VMFA theater in the 1990s, and for more than four years, museum officials have been in discussions with the ballet company about returning. Before its first Moving Art performance in March, the ballet company will have the opportunity to rehearse on the newly renovated stage to prepare for the upcoming performances.

“It is truly such an honor to once again perform within the walls of VMFA,” said Richmond Ballet founding artistic director Stoner Winslett. “It has been a dream of mine to one day return to the Leslie Cheek Theater, and we are so grateful that the recent renovation has made this dream into a reality.”

“Moving Art,” formerly known as the Studio Series, will feature both contemporary and classical ballet in an intimate theater setting. The first performance, Moving Art One, will run from March 20 to March 30 and will include three distinct ballets.

In Pentaptych, a painter takes the stage alongside the dancers, using brushstrokes influenced by their movements to create a wholly unique painting. It is choreographed by Richmond Ballet Artistic Director Ma Cong with original music composed by Ryan Lott. Set to music by Arvo Pärt, this duet evokes a sense of longing, intimacy and vulnerability through subtle and tender choreography. Inspired by a score of the same name, this ballet blends traditional African music with extended passages from compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Moving Art Two — also featuring three works each performance — will run from May 8 to May 18. Joshua L. Peugh’s Slump is a quirky ballet that explores the concept of modern courtship through lively choreography and complex partnering. Slump is set to a culturally diverse score ranging from klezmer to jazz music. Inspired by the melting clocks in Salvador Dalí’s surrealist painting “The Persistence of Memory”, this world premiere will serve as the final performance of the season.

“The Moving Art series will allow Richmond audiences to witness the full breadth of our art form,” said Ma Cong. “By performing this series in the legendary VMFA, we are delighted to celebrate and uplift the arts in Virginia.”

Tickets for Moving Art performances at the Cheek Theater are available through Richmond Ballet at www.RichmondBallet.com or by calling (804) 344-0906, extension 224.

In addition to being the venue for the Moving Art performance series, VMFA is the official partner for Richmond Ballet’s Minds In Motion community engagement program this school year.

Through this initiative, Richmond Ballet creates a bridge for students, starting in fourth grade, to gain a greater understanding of themselves through dance, classroom curriculum, community partnership, and professional performances.

“One of the defining goals of Minds In Motion is to make the program an integral part of the school curriculum,” said Minds In Motion Director Jordan Glunt. “The 2024/2025 school year marks the 30th anniversary of Minds In Motion. VMFA was the program’s first community partner, and it is so special to once again partner with them this momentous year.”

Established in 1954, the theater at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts was renamed after the museum’s first director, Leslie Cheek, in 2011.

The Cheek Theater hosts a array of museum programs and performances as well as events from community groups that serve more than 10,000 visitors each year.

“Beginning in March 2024, the Cheek Theater at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts underwent a $5.3 million renovation, which was supported by private funds,” said Nyerges. “This marks the first time our theater has been renovated since it was built 70 years ago.”

The renovations have expanded the types of programs that can be held in the Cheek Theater. Improvements include a widened stage to accommodate ballet and other performances, new house and stage lighting, and upgraded audio-visual equipment to enhance programs and performances. Additionally, performers’ dressing rooms and restrooms have been renovated, and the green room refreshed. The seating, which accommodates 472 people, has been refurbished.

Accessibility has been a key focus of the theater renovations. An assisted listening device (ALD) system has been added, while ramps have been installed for improved wheelchair accessibility in the house and to the stage. For more information visit vmfa.museum.