It’s effervescent and intricate; a work of art in motion. And when the Nevada Ballet Theatre mixes with the Seoul Ballet Theatre, an element of cross-culturalism lifts the dance production to an entirely new level.
On March 8, members of the Nevada Ballet Theatre traveled to Seoul, Korea, to perform as part of an international ballet exchange project. The cultural swap concludes this weekend as the Seoul company returns with the local troupe for the exciting triple repertory program East Meets West, a pairing of American classical dance movements with traditional Asian influences.
Guest artists Seoul Ballet Theatre join in a cross-cultural outing that will include two audience favorites and one local premiere.
Bruce Steivel’s The Class, performed by Nevada Ballet Theatre, kicks off the program.
An original look at the energy and magic of the dancers’ most important part of the day, this effervescent take on the daily ritual carries the dancers from their warm-up to the intricacy of the center floor work, where they display the elements of the art form’s athleticism and grace.
The second work, Remembering of You, is a tribute by James Jeon to the late Roy Tobias, former New York City Ballet principal dancer and artistic director of the Seoul Ballet Theatre, and will feature artists of the Seoul Ballet Theatre in the local pre miere. To finish the evening, the two companies will collaborate in a performance of Jeon’s popular Inner Moves, last performed in Las Vegas in 2005. With dancers from both companies performing, this contemporary work unites dancers from vastly different cultures, adding an exciting element to this innovative work.
“Nevada Ballet Theatre is honored to join in this creative cultural exchange with the Seoul Ballet Theatre,” says Nevada Ballet Theatre CEO Beth Barbre. “We are pleased to welcome back James Jeon, who has contributed several works to our repertoire.”
NBT presents this mixed repertory program March 21-22 at the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at UNLV. A pre-performance presentation will give Saturday-matinee ticket-holders an inside look at East Meets West. From the Wings will take place on Saturday, March 22, at 1:15 p.m., 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Don’t miss this rare, limited opportunity to see the acclaimed Korean troupe.
Nevada Ballet Theatre
East Meets West
Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall, UNLV, 895-2787
March 21, 8 p.m.; March 22, 2 p.m., $29-$72