Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet Launches its 78th Season
WINNIPEG—March 14, 2017. The plot thickens for Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) as the Company announced its 2017-18 season.
This morning at the RWB Founders’ Studio, RWB Executive Artistic Director, André Lewis launched ‘A Season of Storytelling’ with a video by acclaimed performing arts photographer David Cooper and performances by Company dancers and RWB Aspirants. The Company’s 78th Season will showcase such well-loved classics as Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty, along with works by world-renowned choreographers Twyla Tharp and George Balanchine. Lewis also announced that the Company will return to Canada’s capital this year as it tours its Christmas classic Nutcracker to the National Arts Centre in December and Dracula in the spring.
“Be it spoken, written, or performed, stories connect us with one another,” stated Lewis. “Dance allows us to feel and live a story without words. Throughout history we have turned to dance as a way of expressing ourselves, of telling our stories and of connecting with each other. This year our season will take us on journeys through magical lands, where the power of beautifully-told stories will thrill and delight our audiences.”
RWB’s season begins on September 27 in the world of goblins and courageous young heroes with revered choreographer Twyla Tharp’s The Princess & The Goblin. This epic quest, which takes young Princess Irene into the realm of the underworld, received rave reviews upon its world premiere in 2012. It continues to resonate with lovers of fantasy all across North America.
The holidays are once again a time for traditional tales of adventure and enchantment when Nutcracker returns to the stage from December 21-30. This timeless family favourite has become a treasured part of the Christmas season in Winnipeg, and promises to once again entrance audiences young and old.
On February 2, RWB will present Canada’s Ballet Jörgen’s Anastasia for one night only. Their largest and grandest full-length spectacle to date promises to add a dash of mystery to RWB’s 78th season.
As no story is complete without a touch of romance, the classical gem The Sleeping Beauty awakens our senses from February 28 – March 4; and in May, drama abounds with a dynamic mixed repertoire programme, featuring renowned works Carmina Burana and Balanchine’s Serenade.
The season will conclude with performances by RWB Aspirants and the dancers of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division, all of whom play an integral part in RWB’s story. Under the direction of Arlene Minkhorst, the School is the foundation upon which the RWB is built. The Company is extremely proud to present On The Edge and Spotlight as part of the 2017-18 season. These diverse showcases celebrate the remarkable talent of young artists from around the world.
“We are thrilled to announce On The Edge as part of the 2017-18 season package as a new addition,” states Minkhorst. “Under the direction of Aspirant Program Director Stéphane Léonard, On The Edge provides the best opportunity to see RWB Aspirants in their element. A dynamic combination of classical and contemporary repertoire, On The Edge is a thrilling showcase of up-and-coming talent.”
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of its Funders – Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Protection, Manitoba Arts Council, Winnipeg Arts Council and The Winnipeg Foundation, as well as the generous support of patrons, sponsors and donors.
CANADA’S ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET 2017/18 SEASON
WINNIPEG PERFORMANCES
Twyla Tharp’s The Princess & The Goblin
September 27 – October 1, 2017
Centennial Concert Hall
Conceived, Directed & Choreographed By-Twyla Tharp
Nutcracker
December 21 – 30, 2017
Centennial Concert Hall
Choreography- Galina Yordanova and Nina Menon
Royal Winnipeg Ballet presents Canada’s Ballet Jorgen’s Anastasia
February 2, 2018
Pantages Playhouse Theatre
Choreography – Bengt Jörgen
The Sleeping Beauty
February 28 – March 4, 2018
Centennial Concert Hall
Choreography – Marius Petipa/p>
Serenade and Carmina Burana in Mixed Programme
May 2 – 6, 2018
Centennial Concert Hall
Serenade
Choreography- George Balanchine
Carmina Burana
Choreography- Mauricio Wainrot
RWB School Professional Division presents Spotlight
May 24 – 26, 2018
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre – John Hirsch Mainstage
Always an outstanding selection of repertoire, Spotlight presents the impeccable artistry and budding talent of students from RWB School’s Professional Division.
RWB School Professional Division presents On The Edge
June 6 – 8, 2018
Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Founders’ Studio
Witness cutting edge dance with a dynamic mix of contemporary and classical repertoire from the next generation of ballet stars from the RWB School’s Aspirant Program.
2017-18 TOURING
Nutcracker
Ottawa – December 6-10, 2017 – National Arts Centre
Dracula
Ottawa– April 12-14, 2018 – National Arts Centre
About Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Founded in 1939, Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet holds the double distinction of being Canada’s premier ballet company and one of the oldest ballet companies in North America. Under the artistic direction of André Lewis, versatility, technical excellence and a captivating style are the trademarks of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, qualities that have garnered both critical and audience acclaim. RWB’s superlative standards keep the Company in demand across North America. In addition to the Company, the RWB is home to the RWB School, consisting of both a professional division which trains young artists for a professional career in dance, and a recreational division which provides classes to over 1,500 students each week.
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For further media information, please contact
Barbara Axworthy | Director of Marketing and Communications
T. 204. 957.3471 | C. 204.960.8606
baxworthy@rwb.org
Natasha Havrilenko I Public Relations Coordinator
T. 204. 957.3456 | C. 204.223.4010
E nhavrilenko@rwb.org