Ballet BC Pushing Into New Territory

BY ERIN MCPHEE

        Last year, the 2010/2011 dance year Ballet BC got a new artistic director, Emily Molnar. She has changed Ballet BC into a classical and contemporary ballet company but more on the contemporary side. From this change Ballet BC is becoming one of the leaders in contemporary ballet both nationally and internationally. They are not entirely a contemporary ballet company; they continue to perform the nutcracker annually which is a classical ballet yet most of their other performances are very contemporary. However, they are moving rapidly to being an entirely contemporary ballet company. Contemporary ballet is enjoyable for everyone to watch even those who are not interested in dance. Ballet BC encourages people to come and watch one of their pieces. You will learn something about dance, be provided with entertainment and help out the provinces only ballet company. One piece called Diversion is strongly focused on movement. One of the dancers Ellis said, “We had to do it perfectly in synch next to each another. It's really cool to watch, it's kind of almost robotic, kind of weird.” It is mainly based on progression. It starts of small and as the piece progresses the movements get bigger and at the end it is like an explosion. The idea of contemporary ballet companies is very new in the world of ballet and Ballet BC is leading the way.

       For me personally being a classical ballet dancer, it is somewhat disappointing that Ballet BC is so contemporary. They may perform their dances en pointe but that alone is not enough to be called a ballet company. Ballet BC has become so contemporary that it should almost be called a contemporary dance company not a ballet company. Having only one strict classical ballet piece is not enough to please the classical ballet dancers. If they only did one other classical ballet piece such a Cinderella, Don Quixote or Paquita then they would fit under the category of a ballet company. Even though Ballet BC may not be pleasing the classical ballet dancers they are introducing a new form of dance that many are following. Starting this year at my dance school they offer a contemporary ballet company which they wouldn’t have offered before if Ballet BC hadn’t become so contemporary. Ballet BC may not be pleasing me personally with their style change but they are drawing in a larger crowd which is necessary with the economy being where it is.

http://www.nsnews.com/entertainment/Ballet+pushing+into+territory/5730623/story.html