Milwaukee Ballet Presents Choreographic Competition ‘Genesis’
Three International Choreographers Compete for Contract to Create New Work
Milwaukee Ballet’s biennial Genesis International Choreographic Competition returns to The Pabst Theater on February 8-11 with premieres by three emerging choreographers. The winner will earn a contract to create a second new work with Milwaukee Ballet while audiences vote on who deserves the title of “Audience Favorite.”
“Genesis is the quintessential example of Milwaukee Ballet’s dedication to premiering new and exciting works right here in Milwaukee,” says Artistic Director Michael Pink. “This year, as always, it’s an inspiring exhibition of the boundary-stretching nature of ballet and the talent that exists around the globe.”
This year’s choreographers are Lorenzo di Loreto (Italy), a longtime artist at Royal Danish Ballet and critically acclaimed dance filmmaker; Tsai Hsi Hung (Taiwan), prolific national and international choreographer; and Jack Lister (Australia), Associate Artistic Director and Company Artist for Australasian Dance Collective and Associate Choreographer with Queensland Ballet.
After being chosen from a pool of over 70 applicants from 11 countries, these choreographers have been challenged to create a work using a cast of eight randomly selected Company Artists, four women and four men each. In just three weeks, a total of 90 rehearsal hours, each will create an original 20-minute piece to present at The Pabst Theater.
The winner will be determined by a group of industry experts. This year’s panel is made up of acclaimed Artistic Directors from around the nation: Colorado Ballet’s Gil Boggs, BalletMet and The Washington Ballet’s Edwaard Liang, and Oregon Ballet Theatre’s Dani Rowe.
Audiences will get the chance to vote for their favorite of the three pieces, the winner of which will receive a cash prize.
Past Genesis winners have all gone on to establish themselves as celebrated professionals, choreographing both nationally and internationally. Two such creatives, Nelly van Bommel and Gabrielle Lamb, will return to Milwaukee Ballet this spring to choreograph for MKE MIX, the Company’s annual production of contemporary works, this year featuring all-female choreographers.
“Seeing how previous artists have thrived since winning Genesis is one of the most rewarding parts of this experience,” says Pink. “I’m proud of the talent we’ve exposed to the world, and it’s a fantastic bonus to maintain working relationships with so many of them. I’m excited to see what becomes of this year’s competitors—I have no doubt they will be just as excellent as years past.”
The Choreographers
Italian-born Lorenzo Di Loreto has enjoyed a career as a dancer and choreographer for the Royal Danish Ballet in Denmark. His recent award-winning dance short film VIVIDREAM was featured in film festivals worldwide, including Cannes World Film Festival.
Tsai Hsi Hung has choreographed celebrated works for student and professional dance organizations throughout the United States as well as internationally. She is an alum of Taipei National University of the Arts, where she teaches and regularly creates new works.
Australian Jack Lister is the Associate Artistic Director and Company Artist of Australasian Dance Collective, as well as Associate Choreographer with Queensland Ballet. Critics have lauded his creations as “compelling,” crafted with “exceptional maturity and depth,” and “must be seen to be believed.”
Performance Information
Genesis will take place from February 8-11 at The Pabst Theater. Tickets start at $44 and may be purchased online at www.milwaukeeballet.org or through the Milwaukee Ballet Box Office at 414.902.2103.
The performance schedule is as follows:
- Thursday, February 8, 2024 – 7:30 PM
- Friday, February 9, 2024 – 7:30 PM
- Saturday, February 10, 2024 – 7:30 PM
- Sunday, February 11, 2024 – 1:30 PM
Genesis International Choreographic Competition is presented by the Nita Soref 2006 Charitable Trust. Milwaukee Ballet’s 2023/2024 Season is presented by Donald & Donna Baumgartner with support from United Performing Arts Fund, Wisconsin Arts Board, CAMPAC, Milwaukee Arts Board, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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