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SF Ballet on Tour: Shipping ‘Swan Lake’ to Spain

SF Ballet on Tour: Shipping ‘Swan Lake’ to Spain

FUN FACTS: SHIPPING SWAN LAKE TO SPAIN

San Francisco Ballet is undertaking its first international tour since 2019, and first under the direction of Artistic Director Tamara Rojo. Presenting Helgi Tomasson’s Swan Lake at the historic Teatro Real in Madrid from October 15–22, SF Ballet builds on its long history of international tours designed to showcase the artistic excellence of the company and spotlight the outstanding culture born in San Francisco.

In preparation for the tour, SF ballet dancers and staff are busy! Seven high cube containers have been shipped to the bustling ports of Spain, totaling approximately 63,000 pounds of materials, including sets, costumes, and props! The containers traveled from San Francisco to the Oakland railyard, where they were sent via train to Houston. They then boarded a boat en route to Valencia, Spain. It took the SF Ballet crew an entire week to ready the containers to be shipped. See highlights from this load out in the photos below!

Crewmembers lift part of the iconic rock from Act II of Helgi Tomasson’s Swan Lake. // © San Francisco Ballet, photo by Lindsey Rallo

 

Former tour and production posters line the warehouse, which houses set pieces and costumes from current, past, and future productions. It’s also where SF Ballet’s talented carpenters and painters build sets from scratch. // © San Francisco Ballet, photo by Lindsey Rallo

 

More rock pieces are lifted and loaded into the truck. The Swan Lake set was not necessarily built with a “touring” mindset, so the pieces are not only large, but also difficult to source on location. // © San Francisco Ballet, photo by Lindsey Rallo

 

Crewmembers rest a moment. // © San Francisco Ballet, photo by Lindsey Rallo

 

SF Ballet used the freighting company Rock-It Cargo to assist with the shipping. They specialize in concert and entertainment industry touring. // © San Francisco Ballet, photo by Lindsey Rallo

 

It’s all smiles at load out! // © San Francisco Ballet, photo by Lindsey Rallo

 

Nathaniel Remez in Tomasson’s Swan Lake // © Lindsay Thomas