RISING ACTION less than two weeks away!
Ballet Kelowna’s 2023/24 Season of Drama opens with a compelling triple bill, Rising Action, November 3 + 4 at the Kelowna Community Theatre.
The program features the world premiere of The Royal We from Montreal-based dancemaker Jake Poloz, Studies of Cash by Simone Orlando, and Kirsten Wicklund’s exhilarating The Forever Part.
RISING ACTION TICKETS
Classically trained in Vancouver at Pacific Dance Arts and Goh Ballet Academy, Kirsten Wicklund is a former dancer with Ballet BC and has been a demi-soloist with Antwerp’s Opera Ballet Vlaanderen since 2021. A rising choreographic talent, Wicklund has been commissioned twice by Ballet Kelowna and has choreographed works for the Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company, Arts Umbrella, Goh Ballet, and Dancing on the Edge Festival.
Watch our stage trailer of The Forever Part for a taste of Wicklund’s expansive movement set to some of J.S Bach’s greatest works.
The Forever Part Stage Trailer
Choreography: Kirsten Wicklund
Music: J.S. Bach, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
Lighting Design: Rylee Block
Thumbnail: Emily Cooper / Dancer: Seiji Suzuki
Meet our Newest Apprentices!
Avery Grierson was born in Kitchener-Waterloo, ON where she began dancing at Classical Dance Conservatory. At the age of 11 she joined Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS). While in school, Ms. Grierson had the chance to perform in works such as Jera Wolfe’s Arise, James Kudelka’s Five Canticles, and La Bayadere. After graduating, Ms. Grierson started her career as a supplementary dancer at The National Ballet of Canada, where she had the opportunity to dance in many of their productions such as James Kudelka’s The Nutcracker, Karen Kain’s Swan Lake, and George Balanchine’s Symphony in C. Avery Grierson will be dancing in Kirsten Wicklund’s The Forever Part and Jake Poloz’s The Royal We in Ballet Kelowna’s Rising Action program.
Riku Hirakoba was born in Osaka Japan, where he started classical ballet training at the age of four. In 2015, he received a scholarship at the Youth America Grand Prix and moved to Canada to begin his professional training at Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS). During his time in the Company Life Program at NBS, Mr. Hirakoba had the opportunity to perform in James Kudelka’s The Nutcracker with The National Ballet of Canada and was chosen to perform the lead role in Jera Wolfe’s Arise at the Fall for Dance North Festival, Assemblee International Dance Festival, and 2023 Spring Showcase. Riku Hirakoba will be dancing in Jake Poloz’s The Royal We in Ballet Kelowna’s Rising Action program.
SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW
The 2023/24 Season includes two riveting mixed programs, Rising Action and Turning Point, and the return of Alysa Pires’ visceral full-length ballet, Macbeth, back by popular demand.
Subscribers save up to 15% off single ticket prices and receive the following benefits:
- A chance to win one term of IN MOTION adult dance classes
- An invitation to attend an elegant post-show reception
- Exclusive ticket discounts
SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW
VIEW THE 2023/24 SEASON BROCHURE
The 2023/24 Season is presented by the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation
Ballet Kelowna Featured in Globe and Mail’s Fall Dance Preview
Ballet Kelowna was recently featured in a fall dance preview for The Globe and Mail about how female-driven Canadian dance is dominating the dance landscape. You can read the article below if you are a Globe and Mail subscriber. Read the Article
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Banner Image: Photo: Emily Cooper | Dancer: Seiji Suzuki
First Image: Photo: Cindi Wicklund Fotografia
Thumbnail Image: Photo: Emily Cooper | Dancer: Seiji Suzuki
Third Image: Photo: Abigail Wiens
Fourth Image: Photo: Abigail Wiens
Fifth Image: Photo: Emily Cooper / Dancer: Desiree Bortolussi as Lady Macbeth
