THR3E by THR3E BREAKS CREATIVE BOUNDARIES WITH 3 NEW BALLETS BY 3 RENOWN CHOREOGRAPHERS

 

OKC Ballet Artistic Director Robert Mills Leads Three Outstanding Choreographers to Present 3 World Premiere Ballets

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Dynamic, athletic, sensual – OKC Ballet brings THR3E by THR3E to the Civic Center Music Hall April 23^rd and 24^th.  THR3E by THR3E features the performances of 3 world premiere ballets created right here in Oklahoma City by 3 world-class choreographers.

 

“THR3E by THR3E is the amazing intersection of dance artists, contemporary dance styles and cutting-edge choreography all on one stage,” said Robert Mills, OKC Ballet Artistic Director.  “Modern, fast-paced, beautiful - THR3E by THR3E will transport the audience through a tapestry of contemporary ballet and athletically-tuned bodies in motion to showcase our dancer’s exquisite versatility in two blockbuster evenings. Dance lovers will fall in love with THR3E by THR3E.”

 

Choreographers:

 

Leewei Chao is based in San Francisco and serves on faculty at the School of the Arts and Alonzo King LINES Dance Center. He is a regular guest choreographer and teacher for the Milwaukee Ballet.  His early ballet training came from Xiao Lee, who brought the Vaganova Ballet Method from Russia to Taiwan.  Chao has danced for the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, the Festival Ballet of Rhode Island, Singapore Dance Theatre, Taipei City Ballet, and Henry Yu Dance Company.

 

“The piece I am creating for Oklahoma City Ballet reflects the emotional journey of recovering from addiction, and passage to the oasis of enlightenment,” noted Lee-Wei Chao. “I will be using music by Vivaldi and Ben Juodvalkis.”

 

Helen Pickett constantly explores the boundaries of dance in new mediums as a teacher of Forsythe-based improvisation and with her own workshop entitled “the Expansive Artist.”  She collaborates as an actress and choreographer, taking her art to installation video artists and filmmakers.  Pickett studied and danced at The San Francisco Ballet School and performed as a dancer and actor with Ballet Frankfurt as a principal.  Her choreographic work began at The Boston Ballet and expanded to The New York Choreographic Institute, The Sacramento Ballet, The Washington Ballet and beyond.

 

“This is a young company, full of energy and passion. I was inspired by them to make a bright piece that not only embodied this young eagerness, but also demonstrated the many ranges of dancers. It is called 4 Cycles,” said choreographer Helen Pickett.  “I will be using music by Gyorgi Ligeti, Chopin and Debussy.”

 

Robert Mills is in his second season as Artistic Director of Oklahoma City Ballet and previously served as Artistic Director of Ballet Nouveau Colorado.  Robert began formal training in gymnastics as a child and soon focused his athletic ability on dance.  He trained with the Joffrey Ballet in New York City, the Milwaukee Ballet School and The Rock School in Philadelphia.  He has danced the performance stages of the Pennsylvania Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, OKC Ballet and Eugene Ballet/Ballet Idaho.  He has choreographed works for Kansas City Ballet, Ballet Nouveau Colorado and Oklahoma City Ballet.

 

“My new work for THR3E by THR3E is a direct reflection to a specific time in my life.  Although the viewer is not meant to come away with a literal story, the experiences that shape this piece give it its mood and atmosphere and serves as a springboard for the choreography.  It is titled Touchstones, continued Mills.  “I am using the music of Brian Eno, Sigur Ros and Camille Saint-Saens”

 

Performance schedule:

• April 23 - 8 p.m.

• April 24 - 8 p.m.

 

Tickets are available by calling 405 848-TOES (8637), 405 297-2264 or by visiting www.myticketoffice.com

 

About Oklahoma City Ballet:

 

Oklahoma City Ballet has been Oklahoma City's professional ballet company for over 35 years.  In its second season under the fresh vision of Artistic Director Robert Mills, Oklahoma City Ballet is on the move.  The ballet’s commitment is to ignite imagination through the art of dance. 

 

The Oklahoma City Ballet is an emerging leader in dance for the region with a focus on excellence and integrity.  It serves as a community partner by providing educational outreach, scholarships for tuition assistance in its school and free tickets to professional performances to the underprivileged. The dance center of Oklahoma City Ballet prepares young dancers for a professional role in the arts and a lifestyle in pursuit of excellence.   

 

The Oklahoma City Ballet creates dancers and a community that loves dance. 

 

Please call 405-848-TOES (8637) or visit www.okcballet.com today to purchase your tickets for 2010 performances.

 

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