Friday + Saturday, March 14 + 15, 7:30 pm, Royal Theatre
On March 14 + 15, Ballet BC returns to the Royal Theatre with ZENITH, a mixed program that exemplifies the company’s creation-based ethos and artistic edge. This will be Dance Victoria’s eleventh presentation of Canada’s leading contemporary dance company, solidifying Ballet BC as an audience favourite.
ZENITH promises a breathtaking evening of contemporary dance, featuring PASSING by internationally revered choreographer Johan Inger; a new creation by the winner of the Ballet BC Emily Molnar Emerging Choreographer Award, Andrea Peña; and an exciting commission by long-time Ballet BC collaborator, Fernando Hernando Magadan.
In PASSING, legendary Swedish choreographer and longtime Ballet BC collaborator Johan Inger traverses a vast landscape of human emotion, taking audiences on an epic, theatrical, and often touching ride. Commissioned by Ballet BC in the 2022/23 season and inspired by climate catastrophe, PASSING explores relationships from the intimate to the societal. Set to an original score by Amos Ben-Tal, with selections from Erik Enocksson and Moondog, the sonic journey is as beautifully complex and captivating as the movement language.
New Peña by the Bogotá-born, Montreal-based Andrea Peña, former dancer with Ballet BC, is the artist’s first commission by the company. Known for exploring the intersection of choreography, design, and new media, works by her company, Andrea Peña & Artists (AP&A), have been presented by Danse Danse, Agora de la Danse, the National Arts Centre, Tanzmesse NRW & TanBremen (Germany), Baerum Kulturhus (Norway), Carreau du Temple (Paris) amongst others. In 2023, Peña was the first international choreographer to be awarded the prestigious La Biennale di Venicia’s call for new choreographic work by an artist under age 35, premiering AP&A’s most recent work BOGOTÁ for the 2023 Biennale’s opening. The work recently received critical acclaim at Vancouver’s PuSh Festival.
New Magadan is an exciting new commission by Spanish choreographer Fernando Hernando Magadan, built on a longstanding relationship with the company, including the celebrated White Act created for the 2014/15 season. Magadan’s experience is vast, highlighted by 15 seasons as a dancer with Nederlands Dans Theater where he performed works by legendary voices such as Jiří Kylián, Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, and Hofesh Shechter, followed by several seasons as Artistic Leader for NDT 2. Known for highly physical, inventive, and musical characteristics, Magadan’s choreographic work continues to have an indelible impact on the world of dance.
While in Victoria, Ballet BC will facilitate a free masterclass as part of Dance Victoria’s Community Engagement programs. Dance Victoria’s presentation of Ballet BC is made possible with generous support from Season Sponsor Derma Spa, Lead Presentation Sponsors Turnabout Luxury Resale and Cascadia Architects, and with public support from the Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of BC, BC Arts Council, and the CRD Arts Development office.
About Ballet BC
Ballet BC is a creation-based contemporary dance company led by Artistic Director Medhi Walerski. Formed in 1986 by David Y. H. Lui, Jean Orr and Sheila Begg, with Annette av Paul as founding Artistic Director, Ballet BC has been a leader and resource in the creation, production, and education of contemporary dance in Canada and around the world for more than 35 years.
Ballet BC’s distinctive style and approach have made a unique and valuable contribution to the development of dance locally and globally. Attracting top international talent, our dancers are a group of open-minded and curious artists, each unique for their dynamic movement while sharing an intuitive passion for their art form. We are a creative place and we work in a collaborative environment. We are a company that aims to create dance at its most essential: visceral, powerful, thought-provoking and transformative.
The company presents a diverse repertoire and is deeply committed to fostering creation and collaboration. Canadian and international choreographers include William Forsythe, Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar, Medhi Walerski, Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, Johan Inger, Imre and Marne van Opstal, Adi Salant, Jiří Pokorný, Micaela Taylor, Marco Goecke, Fernando Hernando Magadan, Dorotea Saykaly, and Aszure Barton among others.
Ballet BC is a leader and resource in the community through dance education opportunities, community and audience outreach, and professional development activities, which serve to make dance as accessible as possible to all.
Ballet BC
Friday + Saturday, March 14 + 15, 7:30 pm
Royal Theatre
How to Buy Tickets
Phone: The Royal or McPherson Box Offices at 250-386-6121 or toll free at 1-888-717-6121 Monday to Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Royal Theatre is closed 1:00 to 1:30 pm)
Online: DanceVictoria.com
Visit the Royal and McPherson Theatres website for current Box Office details.
SINGLE TICKET PRICES (NON-SUBSCRIBER PRICING)
| Loge | $130.25 |
| Premium | $120.25 |
| A | $99.50 |
| B | $83.50 |
| C+ | $44.75 |
| C | $34 |
Discounted Pay Your Age (ages 12 to 29) and Night Moves (ages 30 to 45) tickets are also available.
About Dance Victoria
Dance Victoria brings the World’s Best Dance to the Royal Theatre and supports the development of new dance for the international stage from our studios in Quadra Village. Dance Victoria is a non-profit charitable society with the mission to cultivate a connection to dance by presenting and supporting diverse local, national, and international artists, and inspiring all communities through the magic of dance. Our vision is that everyone in Greater Victoria can experience the transformative power of world-class dance. DanceVictoria.com
Media Materials
Email [email protected] to request high-resolution images and other media materials.
Media Contact
Anne-Sophie Cournoyer
Marketing Manager, Dance Victoria
[email protected]
250-595-1829