How do you tell a story as big as the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing? For Oklahomans, and all Americans, the memories associated with the event are filled with pain, devastation, resilience and transformation.

The Oklahoma City Ballet set out to create an original ballet, “A Little Peace,” toward the end of 2019.  The ballet was designed to commemorate the bombing and celebrate the community which perseveres. Unfortunately, this ballet, as originally intended, may never be seen. It was set to debut before an audience on April 19, 2020, in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the bombing. As COVID-19 spread through Oklahoma, the company made the painful decision to cancel the premiere.

In October 2019, Hudson LeGrand and Bob Sands started following Oklahoma City Ballet for their documentary, Ballet Interrupted, in hopes to follow the production to the opening curtain. The half-hour program features stunning footage of dancers repeating movements in search of perfection. In exclusive interviews, Robert Mills, Oklahoma City Ballet artistic director, eloquently explains the vision of the production. In one moving scene, the dancers visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum to learn about the lives which were lost and hear from survivors and how they have been affected. 

The hard work, dance craft and dedication the Oklahoma City Ballet put into this production is felt. The care, optimism and passion for healing is apparent. Ballet Interrupted premieres on OETA and the PBS Video app Thursday, April 15 at 7 pm. 

Ballet Interrupted | Preview