Ben Needham-Wood News

Be there for the birth of, not one, but four new ballets created as part of the intensive 3-week process of the National Choreographers Initiative (NCI). Artistic Director, Molly Lynch has invited four choreographers – Tom Gold, Nicole Haskins,Stephanie Martinez and Ben Needham-Wood ? as well as sixteen professional dancers from ballet companies across the country, to participate.

Artistic Director, Molly Lynch, is announcing an ensemble of sixteen professional dancers and three apprentices for the National Choreographers Initiative project in July.   The dancers needed for this type of project have special qualities. The schedule is physically quite demanding and the process requires an adventuresome spirit, an open outlook to try new things, and the ability to adapt quickly. Each dancer will be assigned to work with two choreographers throughout the project.

SFDanceworks, a repertory dance company founded by San Francisco Ballet soloist James Sofranko, is proud to announce its inaugural season, co-presented in association with ODC Theater. Featured are three world premieres, including works by Dana Genshaft, Penny Saunders and Sofranko, with two additional pieces by Lar Lubovitch and Alejandro Cerrudo. SFDanceworks' inaugural season runs Thursday to Saturday, June 23 - 25 at ODC Theater. All performances start at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $45, and may be purchased online at odcdance.org/tickets.

Be there for the birth of, not one, but four new ballets created as part of the intensive 3-week process of the National Choreographers Initiative (NCI). Artistic Director, Molly Lynch has invited four choreographers – Tom Gold, Nicole Haskins,Stephanie Martinez and Ben Needham-Wood ? as well as sixteen professional dancers from ballet companies across the country, to participate.

Admired for their versatility on stage, Smuin Ballet dancers invite audiences to experience their talents as choreographers and more when Smuin Ballet presents its 2016 Choreography Showcase. This rare opportunity allows patrons to join Smuin dancers Cara Cooper, Erica Felsch, Rachel Furst, Nicole Haskins, Weston Krukow, Ben Needham-Wood, Susan Roemer, and Rex Wheeler in the intimate ODC Theater, to view a showcase of their own choreography set on fellow company members. These new works, set to a wide range of music, also feature original lighting and costumes.

Smuin Ballet kicks off its 22nd Season with the Bay Area tour of a vibrant new program, Dance Series One, performing September 18 - October 4 in Walnut Creek, Mountain View, and San Francisco.

Smuin Ballet will kick off its 22nd Season September 18-October 4 with the Bay Area tour of Dance Series One.

Smuin Ballet will kick off its 22nd Season September 18-October 4 with the Bay Area tour of Dance Series One.

Admired for their versatility on stage, Smuin Ballet dancers will be taking off their dance shoes and inviting audiences to experience their talents as choreographers and more when Smuin Ballet presents Undiscovered: Choreography Showcase.

Admired for their versatility on stage, Smuin Ballet dancers will be taking off their dance shoes and inviting audiences to experience their talents as choreographers and more when Smuin Ballet presents Undiscovered: Choreography Showcase.

The Bay Area's hottest holiday ticket gets a 21st season kick when Smuin Ballet's The Christmas Ballet, Uncorked! makes its sassy return, a perfect gift for audience members of all ages. An ever-changing carousel of mischief and elegance, this enormously popular holiday celebration offers something for everyone, from ballet, tap, and swing to a wealth of other dances drawn from holiday traditions from around the world. This year The Christmas Ballet, Uncorked! includes new choreography from Smuin's acclaimed Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Seiwert, as well as debut pieces from dancers Ben Needham-Wood, Nicole Haskins, and Weston Krukow. Scroll down for a first look at the performers in action!

The Bay Area's hottest holiday ticket gets a 21st season kick when Smuin Ballet's The Christmas Ballet, Uncorked! makes its sassy return, a perfect gift for audience members of all ages.

The Bay Area's hottest holiday ticket gets a 21st season kick when Smuin Ballet's The Christmas Ballet, Uncorked! makes its sassy return, a perfect gift for audience members of all ages.

Smuin Ballet closes its 20th Anniversary Season with two World Premieres and a Michael Smuin Classic, touring the Bay Area today, May 2 - June 7, 2014 in the XXcentric Spring Dance Series.

Smuin Ballet closes its 20th Anniversary Season with two World Premieres and a Michael Smuin Classic, touring the Bay Area May 2 - June 7, 2014 in the XXcentric Spring Dance Series.

Admired for their versatility on stage, ten Smuin Ballet dancers will be taking off their dance shoes and inviting audiences to experience their talents as choreographers and more in XXPERIMENTS - Choreography Showcase. In an inventive evening of original works, Smuin dancers Darrin Anderson, Erica Chipp, Aidan DeYoung, Jonathan Dummar, Nicole Haskins, Weston Krukow, Ben Needham-Wood, Jane Rehm, Susan Roemer, and Christian Squires will showcase their own choreography set on fellow company members. Original works are set to a wide range of music and also feature lighting and costumes designed by the dancer-choreographers. Smuin Ballet's 4th Choreography Showcase, including a Q&A after the show, will be presented 7:30pm February 21, and 2pm & 7:30pm February 22 at ODC Theater, 3153 17th St., San Francisco. Tickets ($30) and information are available at www.SmuinBallet.org or by calling (415) 863-9834.