dance — Blog — Emily Trace

Ashley Wheater: Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet

Ashley Wheater MBE may be the only member of the Order of the British Empire to also be named Chicagoan of the Year. Popularity like that stems from creating fully-funded access to dance education for children across the city through the historically diverse Joffrey Ballet—known for daring original works that resonate with contemporary audiences. Wheater sat down with me to discuss what gives Chicago an international reputation as a thriving arts eco-system and how it became even more important during the pandemic to keep this access alive. He also talks about how to create the pipelines that support an equitable, inclusive future for the art form.

An EDI Case Study: Nicholas Rose and the National Ballet of Canada

On June 1st, 23-year-old American ballet dancer, cellist, and classical choreographer Nicholas Rose filmed himself in front of the Walter Carsen Centre to declare, “I have a love for the National Ballet of Canada, but for me to maintain this love I have to let you know when you have failed us.” It started with a belief—deeply entrenched and rarely questioned in either country—that Canada would be an escape from the well-known racism of the United States.

Ilter Ibrahimof, AD of Fall for Dance North, on 2020

In a year when many performing arts companies have struggled to bring fresh content to their audiences, Fall for Dance North distinguished itself with a remote festival that refused to sacrifice the ‘live’ element of dance. In 2020 Artistic Director Ilter Ibrahimof has pivoted the company’s usual programming to include the Signature Program, a remote festival for dance-lovers sheltering in place.

Angel's Atlas by Crystal Pite + Chroma & Marguerite and Armand

The theatre’s energy changed as the orchestra went dark for the third and final part of the night’s mixed program, sizzling with an electricity that transcended your usual World Premiere static. Since her first piece for the National Ballet of Canada, Emergence, premiered in 2009, Crystal Pite has become globally renown and sought after.

'The 9th!' presented by ProArteDanza

“Even the worm was given desire” declares Friedrich Schiller’s soaring poem written for Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, the iconic climax of his 9th symphony and score of ProArteDanza’s The 9th!: a finely yet boldly crafted treatise on the defiant human spirit, by Roberto Campanella and Robert Glumbek.

Hanna Kiel's Resonance

Resonance uses the irresistible beat of live musicians to chart the stages of a popular revolution as it unfurls, infects, and blends each individual with the blurred flow of the masses.

dance: made in canada Presents: Morrison Series

The world needs more of what dance: made in canada / fait au canada festival’s closing performance offered simply by incubating a safe environment for male artists to share deeply and openly. Curated by the festival director herself, each work features all-male dancers exploring the roles men can engage, transgress, and transcend with each other.

dance: made in canada presents 'Cruz Series'

Union, communion, and communication were frustrated and fulfilled by varying degrees in each of the pieces Lina Cruz chose for her series, with speech and the desire to speak lining much of the staged movement.

Light Years Ahead: Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre's Stunning Showcase

With thrilling range and dancers that move as both wave and particle, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre staged five enchanting works with an ensemble of promising young students. Featuring two world premieres and recent hits from five diverse choreographers, these works examine contemporary issues such as toxic masculinity and ancient preoccupations like achieving higher consciousness and communion with the unknown through live performance.

Giselle’s Restless Spirit: The Ballerina’s Hamlet

“While James is decidedly a land mammal, you’d have to visit the aquarium to see anything ripple through reality the way Lunkina does as a Wili…”

In its Original Russian: Kudelka’s Nutcracker Comes of Age

“Twenty winters on stage, The Nutcracker remains a beloved production that can still make an icy breeze feel like a thrilling, redemptive brush with a gentler world.”