Ballet BC

Three choreographies that blend dance and emotion in a unique way: works by Crystal Pite, Medhi Walerski, and Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber come together to form an intense triple-bill evening.

Crystal Pite opens the evening with Frontier, a fascinating exploration of the unknown and the interplay of light and shadow. Premiered in 2008 and reinterpreted for Ballet BC in 2024, this choreography for 24 dancers explores the question of what lies hidden in the unconscious. Following this, Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber present Obsidian, their first choreographic work for Ballet BC. Finally, Medhi Walerski presents SWAY, an elegant reflection on hope and communication for seven dancers. Inspired by Emily Dickinson’s poem ‘Hope is the thing with feathers’, Walerski combines duets with powerful group formations that capture the dynamics of non-verbal language.

Crystal Pite is one of the most significant choreographers of our time. Her works, which often explore themes such as trauma and consciousness, have earned her international acclaim. Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber are former members of the Batsheva Dance Company. The duo is known for reflecting everyday experiences through their unexpected and uniquely expressive creations. Medhi Walerski is Artistic Director of Ballet BC and previously worked as a dancer and choreographer with the Nederlands Dans
Theater. With his elegant, expressive style, he has created works for numerous international companies.

CAST & CREDITS

Frontier
Crystal Pite choreography, Owen Belton, Eric Whitacre music

Obsidian
Bobbi Jene Smith & Or Schraiber choreography, George Ivanovich Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann music

SWAY
Medhi Walerski choreography, Adrien Cronet music

Ballet BC dance