Choreographers are continually questioning and pushing the envelope of dance.
The art form evolves with each distinct dancer’s voice added to history. Three such choreographers present their pieces during Ballet B.C.’s upcoming show at the Port Theatre Wednesday (Nov. 11).
The pieces, New Work, by Stijn Celis; Solo Echo, by Crystal Pite and Twenty Eight Thousand Waves by Cayetano Soto, display how choreographers are reshaping contemporary ballet.
Each of the choreographers has danced with major ballet companies.
“Now in their own way they have taken that knowledge and experience and have developed their own voices,” said Emily Molnar, artistic director for Ballet B.C. “The voices are influenced by ballet but they have taken them to a place that is a vector of the original.”
Their vision for the performances comes from experimentation and the desire to see how the body can communicate, said Molnar.
“It comes from a place of questioning. What does it say in terms of arts in the world – in terms of society?” she asked.
Pite, originally from Victoria, explores themes of acceptance and loss in her work.
“What is really fascinating is when you see her work she plays to so many different qualities of what dance can be,” said Molnar. “There are a lot of wonderful moments. She is one of the most prominent Canadian choreographers today and is known around the world.”
The piece features seven dancers, each embodying one component of someone’s personality
“The voice of the protagonist is moving between the seven dancers,” said Molnar. “It speaks to humanity – the human journey of getting to know yourself.
“She uses a lot of beautiful sequences in the groups that creates this kind of echo effect. She has an incredible way of surprising you.”
Molnar said Pite has a beautiful dance language that reaches into people’s hearts.
Molnar said the physical body is becoming more important in today’s society where people are being separated by technology. Dance gives people a way to connect.
The performance begins at 7:30 p.m.; a pre-show chat is at 6:45 p.m. in the Harmac Room. Tickets are $60 for adults, $54 for members and $25 for students and are available by calling 250-754-8550 or visiting www.porttheatre.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com