Festival Ballet Providence's Season to Culminate with New & Contemporary Works

Festival Ballet Providence (FBP) will top off its 2014-2015 season with Rhode Island and world premieres by new and veteran choreographers in the third program of the Up Close on Hope series. The program takes place in FBP's Black Box Theatre, 826 Hope Street over three consecutive weekends - April 10-11, 17-18, and 24-25, 2015, Friday nights at 8pm, Saturday night at 7:30pm - and will feature choreography by first-time and veteran choreographers. All of the pieces to be showcased offer an opportunity for audiences to experience some of the freshest, most exciting examples of contemporary dance seen today.

From Hong Kong to Belgrade to Stuttgart to New York and Los Angeles, artists whose success extends across nationally and internationally will be featured; yet at the same time, audiences have the rare opportunity to see new works created by first-time choreographers.

"Up Close on Hope is a platform for us to nurture FBP company dancers' talent and creativity as choreographers," said FBP Artistic Director Mihailo "Misha" Djuric, adding, "Our audiences may not realize that one of the most exciting things about the series is that it's highly experimental." He continued, "Some of the pieces may be created in as little time as three weeks - sometimes less. It's thrilling to witness fresh, completely new pieces emerge out of such a concentrated, passionate effort."

The intimacy of its 85-seat Black Box Theatre provides a "dance experience without equal" -- a visceral, palpable sense of the dancers' artistry and athleticism - and a feeling of being a participant in their world. As Veronica Bruscini of Broadway World said, "This intimate setting provides entirely new levels of appreciation for Festival's dancers and the art of ballet. While individual sequins and colorful lines of makeup are clearly visible right to the back row of seats, so too are the beads of sweat and defined muscle tone that speak to the years of discipline and practice each performer has dedicated to perfecting their craft."

The program includes two pieces that were premiered as "surprise" additions to the most recent program presented by FBP at The VETS:

For Susan, a duet created by Misha Djuric early in his career, was inspired by his muse, named "Susan." Mr. Djuric has received numerous awards and honors for his works, which have been performed and nationally and internationally receiving rave reviews.

3:23 is the choreographic debut of FBP trainee dancer Jorge Rullán. His age - 19 years old - belies a simmering talent, and this piece may very well presage a budding future as a choreographer.

The program also includes Rhode Island and World Premieres:

Rhode Island premiere of Near Abroad, Sydney Skybetter's abstract piece for two men. This piece had its world premiere in 2008 at Jacob's Pillow in the Berkshires. Mr. Skybetter is a recent recipient of a Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Fellowship award. His body of work is extensive and has also been performed at The Kennedy Center, The Joyce Theater, The Dance Theater Workshop / New York Live Arts, Danspace Project, and many more.

Rhode Island premiere of Joseph Morrissey's group piece titled Mein Weg. Morrissey, whose work has been featured last season, is currently a visiting choreographer at the Princeton University Ballet and serves as the Director of Artistic Planning and Touring for the Hong Kong Ballet.

Rhode Island premiere of Egidijus Domeika's, Pas de Deux Romantique. Domeika, an award-winning Lithuanian choreographer was introduced to Rhode Island audiences with FBP's performance of his bright and technical pas de deux, Spring.

World premiere by Viktor Plotnikov, FBP's resident choreographer and international award-winning choreographer, who created numerous works for FBP. In addition, World premieres by FBP company dancers Ty Parmenter and Vilia Putrius, as well as Jaime Diaz, FBP ballet master.

Each performance features an intermission reception with complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants. Members of the company, and Mr. Djuric often join the patrons during the intermission to discuss the performance. Tickets are $50 and admission includes an intermission reception with complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres.

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