Five thrilling world premieres, beloved repertoire favourites, and expanded Nutcracker offerings.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- The season opening program features Crystal Pite’s Frontier, a large-scale work from the Vancouver-based creator and a rarity for hometown fans of one of the world’s most in-demand choreographers.
- The second recipient of the Ballet BC Emily Molnar Emerging Choreographer Award, Bogota-born, Montreal-based Andrea Peña, will premiere a new creation in March 2025.
- The company will perform large ensemble works such as Pite’s Frontier, Shahar Binyamini’s 50-dancer BOLERO X and Medhi Walerski’s riveting Chamber on tour in cities such as Montreal, Ottawa, Victoria, Los Angeles.
- Royal Winnipeg Ballet performs its iconic Nutcracker at Surrey’s Bell Centre for the first time
Opening the 2024/25 season in November, DAWN introduces a world premiere from an acclaimed French choreographer new to the company alongside the return of a striking piece of repertoire, plus a rarely-seen work from a visionary choreographer reimagined for Ballet BC. Experience a new creation from Pierre Pontvianne, Heart Drive from Imre and Marne van Opstal, and Crystal Pite’s Frontier.
The season continues in March with an evening featuring a world premiere by the winner of the 2024 Ballet BC Emily Molnar Emerging Choreographer Award, the return of a masterful work from a renowned creator, and a new commission from a longtime collaborator. ZENITH features a new creation by Andrea Peña, the return of Johan Inger’s PASSING, and a world premiere by Fernando Hernando Magadan.
At DUSK in May, the season closes with a new creation from a sought-after choreographic duo, a remount of an acclaimed work, and a world premiere from the company’s Artistic Director. Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber make their debut work for Ballet BC, Marco Goecke’s Woke Up Blind returns, and Medhi Walerski continues his signature contributions to the company’s repertoire with a world premiere.
“Curating the 2024/25 season has been a true passion project for me,” says Medhi Walerski, Ballet BC Artistic Director. “Some of the artists Ballet BC will share work from for the first time are at the forefront of dance creation globally, and we are so fortunate to be able to witness their visions come to life on stage here in Vancouver. Then there are beloved repertoire favourites which deserve to be seen and experienced again—masterful creations from incredible artists I admire greatly. I can’t wait to see our incredible dancers embody these works, and for audiences to experience and be moved by them.”
Canada’s historic Royal Winnipeg Ballet also returns this holiday season, bringing their iconic presentation of Nutcracker—Vancouver’s only professional production—to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre as well as Surrey’s Bell Performing Arts Centre for the first time. Plus, the dancer-led Take Form makes a triumphant comeback this September, a hugely popular event offering our dancers the opportunity to delve into all aspects of production and enhance their choreographic skills in an intimate program entirely led, created, and produced by them.
In addition to its mainstage programs, the company will continue its popular MOVE adult classes and series in dance, pilates, and yoga at its studios on Granville Island as well as in-school outreach and engagement programs throughout the Lower Mainland. Ballet BC Annex also returns, a collaboration with Arts Umbrella and Modus Operandi that tours regionally bringing professional performances and workshops to schools across the province. This fall, Ballet BC Annex will premiere a new creation by Canadian-born Chinese Sri Lankan choreographer Zachary Seto, Volo by Micaela Taylor, and SWAY by Medhi Walerski. The main company will also appear on tour around the world throughout the year, performing on prestigious stages in cities such as Montreal, Ottawa, and Los Angeles.
Explore the Season