Ballet BC
Artists of Ballet BC. Photo by Marcus Eriksson.
Ballet BC is a creation-based contemporary dance company let by Artistic Director Medhi Walerski.
Combining classical polish with a contemporary edge, the dynamic company of talented dancers from Canada and around the world has made a name through exploration and collaboration in contemporary dance.
Solidly grounded in the rigour and artistry of classical ballet, with an emphasis on innovation and the immediacy of the 21st century, the company presents a distinct and diverse repertoire by the most sought-after Canadian and international contemporary choreographers including William Forsythe, Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar, Medhi Walerski, Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, Johan Inger, Imre and Marne van Opstal, Adi Salant, Company 605, Jorma Elo, Wen Wei Wang, Itzik Galili, Serge Bennathan, Emily Molnar, and Leslie Telford.
Formed in 1986 by David Y. H. Lui, Jean Orr, and Sheila Begg, with as first artistic director, the company has been under the artistic direction of Annette av Paul, Reid Anderson, Patricia Neary, and Barry Ingham, followed by John Alleyne for 17 years and Emily Molnar for 11. The France-born Walerski, an alumnus of the acclaimed Nederlands Dans Theater who has created such signature works as Petite Cérémonie for Ballet BC, took the helm in July 2020.
Today, Ballet BC performs highly acclaimed productions on regional, national, and international tours in addition to its regular performance season in Vancouver, which is mostly based out of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Recent tours have included such storied dance venues as London’s Sadler’s Wells, Jacob's Pillow in Massachussetts, Tel Aviv’s Suzanne Dellal Centre, New York City’s Joyce Theatre, and Cologne’s Oper Köln.
The company was nominated for a coveted British Olivier Award in 2019. Ballet BC has developed a repertoire of more than 45 new works by acclaimed Canadian and international choreographers since 2009—among them, iconic names like William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, Jorma Elo, and Johan Inger.
The company is also committed to being a leader in the community through its outreach and professional development activities, and actively fosters collaborations that support artists, choreographers and audiences alike, furthering the boundaries of contemporary dance.
Ballet BC has a new home on Granville Island, joining Vancouver’s premier arts and culture community. The company’s operations on Granville Island will have a transformative impact, providing increased opportunity for collaboration and allowing the company to explore further ways to provide critical training opportunities for aspiring professional dancers.
Find Ballet BC at
1286 Cartwright Street on Granville Island
Vancouver V6H 3R8
Box office: 604-638-1184 or tickets@balletbc.com
