Ballet Kelowna
Macbeth
Photo credits: Emily Cooper
Ballet Kelowna
Founded in 2002, and under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO (AD/CEO) Simone Orlando since 2014, Ballet Kelowna delivers compelling and inspiring performances to regional, national, and international audiences. The Company presents numerous styles of dance from Canada’s finest emerging and established choreographers, and embraces the precision and athleticism of ballet technique to create original new works that captivate and engage today’s diverse audiences. Serving as the only professional dance company in BC’s Interior, Ballet Kelowna is committed to its role as a leader in the region through encouraging, promoting, and developing Canadian dancers and choreographers. The Company performs annually for over 12,000 audience members in Kelowna and on tour, while also providing unique dance training opportunities and outreach programs. AD/CEO Simone Orlando is an award-winning choreographer and former dancer with Ballet BC and The National Ballet of Canada. Ms. Orlando is actively leading Ballet Kelowna in collaborations with other community organizations, to educate and cultivate new dance audiences, and to enhance the impact of performances and programs.
Macbeth
Ballet Kelowna is proud to be the first Canadian ballet company in over forty years to commission a female Canadian choreographer to create a full-length work. In May 2020, the Company will premiere Macbeth by Canadian dance luminary Alysa Pires. An original score of toil and trouble by Canadian composer Adam Sakiyama and stunning visuals by Okanagan artist Jane Everett set the scene for this exploration of psychological decay.
Pires’ adaptation of Macbeth will explore its themes of ambition, corruption, and gender through a contemporary lens. Instead of the King of medieval Scotland, Macbeth’s quest for power sees him become the leader of an autocratic government. Her version reimagines some key characters as women and investigates gender roles and expectations in a post #metoo era. Through athletic and evocative movement, this work blends the worlds of contemporary ballet and dance theatre.
Photo credits: Emily Cooper
Performance History of Macbeth
Upcoming Tour Performances: Nov. 10, 2021 - Bolero and Other Works, Venables Theatre, Oliver, BC || Nov. 20, 2021 - Bolero and Other Works, Capitol Theatre, Nelson, BC
Project Details
Project created by: Ballet Kelowna
Key Collaborators:
Choreographer: Alysa Pires
Composer: Adam Sakiyama
Costume Design: Lynette Schlichting
Scenic Design: Jane Everett
Lighting Design: Patrick Smith
Audience: General Audience
Length in minutes: 106 - 120 minutes
Space required: This work is built for a wood floor and is adaptable to different indoor stage sizes.
Preparation required: This program requires load-in and tech the day prior to the performance day.
General technical requirements: The performance will require a video projector. Ballet Kelowna can provide a projector if the venue is not equipped with a projector.
Ballet Kelowna requires a wood floor for performances (i.e. no concrete). For touring in BC, Ballet Kelowna tours with a Marley dance floor and lighting equipment.
Availabilities: March 15-20, 2022, November 14 - 27, 2022, Feb. 27 - March 19, 2023, May 15 - June 2, 2023, Nov. 6-26, 2023, Feb. 19-March 2, 2024 and May 6-26, 2024
Number of performers on tour: 10
Number of support staff on tour: 5
Community Engagement Activities
Ballet Kelowna offers masterclasses in Contemporary and Ballet for dance students 12-18 years old at $25 per student (minimum cost is $250). Ballet Kelowna also offers Introductory Ballet workshops for adults at $25 per participant (minimum cost is $250). No previous dance experience is needed for the Intro workshops. Masterclasses and workshops are taught by the Company’s Rehearsal Director. Ballet Kelowna typically offers classes and workshops on the day prior to the performance day.
Due to our touring schedule, we are not currently offering community engagement activities for the 2022/23 season.
Contact: ad.ceo@balletkelowna.ca
Website: balletkelowna.ca
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