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A RoyAl RetuRn THE PLAY'S THE THING FOR BALLET AUSTIN, AS IT BRINGS BACK ITS MOST CELEBRATED PRODUCTION, HAMLET, TO OPEN THE 2015 SEASON IN DRAMATIC FASHION. by claiborne smith Exactly how someone transforms Shakespeare's Hamlet—one of the most respected and forceful masterpieces in the history of Western playwrit- ing—into a wordless ballet is a question that Stephen Mills, the artistic director of Ballet Austin, finds difficult to articulate, even though he has done it. Not only did Mills transform the Shakespearean tragedy into a beautiful ballet 15 years ago, but he also turned it into one of the organization's most prestigious works; his production has been licensed by seven other companies around the country. Ballet Austin Executive Director Cookie Ruiz believes in this production so much, the company is presenting it for the third time since its debut in 2000, this time as the season premiere. Hamlet will be performed September 4–6, and for the first time with live accompaniment by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, which will play the haunting score Mills assembled from Philip Glass' various works. Austin Way recently spoke to Mills and Ruiz about their history with the production—which will feature stunning sets and Armani- and Alexander McQueen–inspired costumes—and their hopes for this year's performance. Cookie Ruiz: Hamlet has been a defining s y mbol of [Mills's] work. I remember Stephen coming to me and saying, "So what if Hamlet is not really in Denmark? And what if it's [set in] no specific time?" So I could see where he was going w it h it. But to see it… it's sleek, it's elega nt , a nd Dancers Paul Michael Bloodgood as Hamlet and Aara Krumpe as Queen Gertrude in a previous production of Ballet Austin's Hamlet. culture Hottest ticket 44 AUSTINWAY.com