Our story is one of tradition, adaptation, tragedy, triumph, survival, and the enduring spirit of the Osage people.
Wahzhazhe is a contemporary ballet that tells the history of the Osage people from pre-contact years to present day.
Jenna LaViolette’s debut choreography rises to the height and weight of the epoch it is telling. She cleverly incorporates traditional Osage rhythmic movement and makes use of the steady presence of the beat of the drum to amplify the mood of each scene to great affect.
The audience experience is immersive: every feature of The Osage Ballet has been thoughtfully designed with painstaking care. From the hand-painted scenery, to the original score (featuring the use of traditional drums), to the exquisitely detailed costumes, the world of the Osage comes to life in vivid color, a mesmerizing blend of historical accuracy and raw emotional symbolism.
“The Osage danced before a raid, they danced before a hunt, they danced to the beat of the drum, they danced to the prayer songs, and sometimes they just danced. What better way to tell the Osage story than through a ballet that expresses the rich culture of a warrior people that controlled a large part of what is now called the United States of America.”
Wahzhazhe is the true name of the Osage people
because of you
Our story is able to be told around the country, year after year. Thank you for your interest and your support
