For her inaugural season as artistic director, Hope Muir has drawn on her wide international dance experience to curate a range of choreographic voices that reflect her passion for both the existing masters and the mentoring of new talent. The 2017/2018 Season includes the introduction of seven new choreographers to Charlotte Ballet’s repertoire, including three world premieres and two American premieres.
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Johan Inger’s works can be found in the repertoires of leading companies all over the world. Johan is a former Netherlands Dance Theater dancer, and he completed his dance training at the Royal Swedish Ballet School and the National Ballet School in Canada. He was the artistic director of the Cullberg Ballet from 2003 to 2008.
Find Johan’s work, Walking Mad, as part of Fall Works. Described as a “stylistic game changer” by Artistic Director Hope Muir, Johan’s choreographic talent was first discovered by contemporary ballet choreographer Jiří Kylián, whose work Charlotte Ballet has performed over the past several seasons.
Photo by Urban Jörén
Javier De Frutos was born in Caracas and trained at London School of Contemporary Dance and the Merce Cunningham Studio in New York. As a director, choreographer and designer, he has worked in dance, theater, visual arts and film. He has received nominations in all dance categories in the Olivier Awards, one of only three artists in history to do so.
Elsa Canasta, a dark, funny, sexy evocation of the world of Cole Porter, choreographed by Javier de Frutos, makes an exhilarating finale to our Fall Works performance. Featuring a collaboration with Charlotte’s Jazz Arts Initiative and performed with a live jazz singer, Elsa Canasta was originally created with Artistic Director Hope Muir and holds a special place in her career.
After receiving rave reviews in London, Javier de Frutos and the Pet Shop Boys’ The Most Incredible Thing makes its American debut right here in Charlotte. Audiences young and old are sure to enjoy this fairytale pop ballet of Hans Christian Andersen’s fable about a King who holds a competition to determine who can make the “most incredible thing.” A mesmerizing display of talent and creativity, you must see this most incredible performance!
Photo by Richard Hubert Smith
Robyn Mineko Williams was a member of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago for twelve seasons and danced for River North Dance Chicago. Chicago Mag selected her as “2016 Best of Chicago – Best Choreographer,” and she was named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” in 2014.
Resident Choreographer Sasha Janes is joined in Innovative Works by Robyn Mineko Williams, a three-time Princess Grace choreography award winner and former colleague of Artistic Director Hope Muir at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
While dancing with San Francisco Ballet, Myles has also earned a reputation for his eye-catching and dynamic choreography. Myles has choreographed for the Rolex Arts Weekend in Mexico City, New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and San Francisco Ballet.
Innovative Works, one of Charlotte Ballet’s most popular performances, showcases contemporary ballet in an intimate setting. The 200-seat theater at the Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance provides the perfect venue, bringing the artist and audience together for a truly unique experience. For an added bonus – tickets include a dessert reception with the dancers and artistic staff following the show.
Photo from San Francisco Ballet
Bryan Arias was born in Puerto Rico but moved to New York City at the age of 9, where he later received his formal dance training at La Guardia High School for the Performing Arts. A former Charlotte Ballet Dancer, Bryan has also performed with Complexions Contemporary Ballet and The Netherlands Dance Theatre. As a choreographer, he has created works for Hubbard Street 2, Netherlands Dance Theater 2, Ballet Vorpommern (Germany) and The Scottish Ballet.
Energy and discovery abound at Spring Works with the introduction of three new choreographers to Charlotte Ballet, including Bryan, who Artistic Director Hope Muir regards as one of the most promising emerging choreographers today.
Photo by Joao Canziani
Filipe Portugal danced with National Ballet of Portugal as a corp de ballet member, coryphe and soloist from 1996-2002. From 2002-2009, he danced with Ballet Zurich as a soloist and principal. He returned to National Ballet of Portugal from 2009-2011 as a principal dancer, and since 2011, he is a member of Ballet Zurich as a principal dancer.
Filipe Portugal, an up-and-coming choreographer, will make his North American choreographic debut at Charlotte Ballet as part of Spring Works.
Photo from Ballett Zurich
Helen Pickett is an American choreographer who has performed with William Forsythe’s Ballet Frankfurt and Wooster Group theater company. She serves as choreographer in residence at Atlanta Ballet. In the past 12 years, she has set over 35 works on companies across the US and Europe.
The seasoned and highly acclaimed choreographer Helen Pickett is reprising her mesmerizing pas de deus Tsukiyo. The duet is set to Spiegel im Spiegel, by Arvo Part..
Photo from helenpickett.com
From new choreographers to world premieres, Hope brings her international dance experience to Charlotte!
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