Ballet BC launches new online season on February 25 with Take Form

Dancers and artists-in-residence to showcase new short works in first program

Ballet BC presents Take Form for free on February 25, available from 5 to 10 pm

IT’S BEEN A WAIT, with a few false starts due to changing pandemic restrictions, but Ballet BC is finally back.

The troupe has announed it will kick off its 2021 season on February 25th with a digital streaming performance called Take Form.

The online event features nine new pieces choreographed and performed entirely by the company’s dancers and artists-in-residence.

“It is about creativity, artistic growth, and freedom. We must offer space, time, and opportunity for our dancers to learn and explore the different facets of our art form,” artistic director Medhi Walerski said in today’s announcement. “I am so excited for them, and I hope that Take Form will become a fundamental tool in the development of future choreographers, leaders, and producers."

Company dancers showcasing their work include returning dancer Livona Ellis, emerging artist Jacob Williams, and artist-in-residence Alexis Fletcher. Others taking part include Brandon Lee Alley, Jordan Lang, Stefanie Noll, Justin Rapaport, Peter Smida, Kirsten Wicklund and Zenon Zubyk.

Registration for Take Form is free.

Ballet BC said it has plans to film additional digital works to be broadcasted later this year, including a North American premiere choreographed by Walerski. Further details on the spring season are to come.

Ballet BC's plans to launch its season in November were cancelled due to the worsening pandemic and its accompanying social-gathering restrictions. Late that month, it had been scheduled to stage a show called Re-Space to a small audience at the Polygon Gallery, with accompaniment by Belgian composer Adrien Cronet and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra cellist Henry Shapard. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry shut down all theatres and events on November 19, and restrictions have been extended every since.