Striking the right balance between emerging talent, groundbreaking innovators, and master creators is what makes each Ballet BC season special, and curating this year’s assembly of works has been a passion project. Reviving Johan Inger’s monumental PASSING, Marco Goecke’s electrifying Woke Up Blind, and the riveting and seductive Heart Drive by Imre and Marne van Opstal feels essential. They deserve to be witnessed and experienced all over again.
Collaborating with Crystal Pite to reimagine her masterpiece Frontier holds special meaning for me, as I was a part of the original cast in 2013. It’s the first time the work has been shared since, and reinforces our relationship with one of the most extraordinary artists of our time who happens to call Vancouver home. Watching Fernando Hernando Magadan’s artistic evolution since his initial choreography for Ballet BC a decade ago has been a joy. I’m delighted to announce his return to create a unique commission for us. Pierre Pontvianne stands out as truly one-of-a-kind, a dedicated artist who embraces all aspects of his craft, meticulously developing not only the choreography but also the music, lighting, and costumes. Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber are both unique creators, bringing bold, invigorating and personal works to some of the most prestigious stages in the world. And then there’s Andrea Peña, an inventive choreographer whose name is on everyone’s lips for her groundbreaking, multidisciplinary style.
It brings me immense pride to share these experiences with you, as well as our dancers and company. I look forward to joining you on this new and exciting adventure.
—Medhi Walerski, Artistic Director