Choreographers’ Showcase 2015:
Capturing Hong Kong’s Diversity and Vibrancy
Tickets on Sale Now
[Hong Kong – 24th August 2015] Hong Kong’s aspiring choreographers will be demonstrating their creativity at the Company’s Choreographers Showcase 2015. The Company’s dancers, together with some of the most promising local choreographers in Hong Kong, will delight and inspire audiences as they present their Hong Kong-themed creations in the intimate surroundings of the Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre from 2nd-4th October 2015 (Friday to Sunday). Tickets are now available at URBTIX.
The Showcase serves as a platform for young, talented choreographers to exercise and display their creativity, innovation and accumulated dance experience, and allows The Hong Kong Ballet to search for the City’s next choreographer! This tradition dates back to the early 1980s. “The innovation and creativity that results from this annual event never ceases to engage and inspire Hong Kong’s ballet-lovers” said Madeleine Onne, Artistic Director of The Hong Kong Ballet.
This year's choreographers include Kenneth Hui Ka Chun, Li Jia-bo, Nguyen Ngoc Anh, Jonathan Spigner, Yui Sugawara, John Utans and Yang Hao.
About the pieces & the choreographers
Panta Rhei by Hui Ka Chun Kenneth
With the idea that people are working hard for later enjoyment, this piece explores life and values in this crowded city – Hong Kong. It is about vast amounts of people who work for what matters most to them - money, fame, family, home. They have little time for rest or enjoyment. However, it is not about what you see, instead it’s about how you feel about yourself.
Born in Hong Kong, Hui Ka Chun Kenneth graduated from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), with first-class honours, Bachelor’s degree of Fine Arts, majoring in Ballet. During his time at HKAPA, he danced with the Academy Dance Ensemble in here: now: always, New Dance: Our Dance! and in Luminous!. He joined The Hong Kong Ballet in 2014 and since that time he has performed in Turandot, The Sleeping Beauty, Nacho Duato’s Castrati, Swan Lake Act III and The Nutcracker.
Keep Watch by Li Jia-bo
I stay because this is a place of memories. When the wind blows, I can feel your white dress caressing my face. I can feel your breath in the air. Light passes through the cloud projecting out of your stature. I am guarding this place, fearing the memory will be lost. I expect you to show up, although it could only be in my mind. I know I can't leave because I can feel you here, knowing you are also protecting me.
Born in Shanghai, China, Li Jia-bo commenced his ballet training at the Shanghai Far East Ballet School and went on to study at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. After graduating in 2005, he joined The Hong Kong Ballet as a member of the Corps de Ballet. He was promoted to Soloist in 2012 and to Principal Dancer in 2014. Li Jia-bo has performed many lead roles, toured extensively and appeared as guest artist for many companies worldwide. His choreographic works include Ambush (2008), Unable to Rewind (2012), Something We Always Carry (2013) and Going Home (2014).
EVOL by Nguyen Ngoc Anh
Love has no boundaries - religious, cultural, ethnic and gender.
Love gives lives, form, shape, emotion, energy, purity, beauty and passion.
Love is sensitive, fragile, tender and...
Born in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nguyen Ngoc Anh trained at Vietnamese Dance College and The Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts. He has danced with the Vietnamese Opera Theatre, Les Ballets Persans, Wayne McGregor/Random Dance, Phoenix Dance Theatre and among others. Anh was appointed as Rehearsal Director/Dancer for the Henry Oguike Dance Company in 2011. He has won many awards, including the UK Critics’ Circle Dance Awards (Outstanding Male Artist) in 2008 and most recently the “Outstanding Achievement in Choreography” in 2015 Hong Kong Dance Award.
Days Gone By by Jonathan Spigner
This piece takes a view of an outsider’s perspective of Hong Kong and its people.
Born in South Carolina, USA, Jonathan Spigner trained at the South Carolina Governor’s School of Arts and Humanities and at the Princess Grace Academy in Monte Carlo. He received dance awards from Youth America Grand Prix Regional in 2004, 2008 and 2009. In 2010, he joined Hong Kong Ballet as a member of the Corps de Ballet and was promoted to Coryphée in 2014. During his time with the Company he has danced in many productions. His choreographic works include (The Wonderful Known Tick) (2011), Overview Effect (2012), SoLo (2013), Wepart (2014).
Enlightening by Yui Sugawara
This piece explores the importance of accepting, respecting and appreciating oneself and others in a city of diversity. It is about life in Hong Kong. When you are open-minded and accepting, you may feel something new, important and precious, or something you actually want. You will try hard to get it. Even if this cannot direct you toward what you want, you will improve and bring yourself closer to what you want to be.
Born in Tokyo, Japan, Yui Sugawara commenced her training in her home country before travelling to the US for further studies. After graduating from Ellison Ballet Professional Training Program in 2014, Yui joined Hong Kong Ballet as a member of the Corps de Ballet. She has performed in many productions and has had success in numerous competitions such as Prix de Lausanne, Youth America Grand Prix and Tanzolymp.
Nine. Dog. Nine by John Utans
Using, as its foundation, the many facets of the Cantonese language - an ancient language and symbol of Hong Kong identity – Nine. Dog. Nine personifies the constant evolution and unique expressiveness of the language. It explores, through the movement language of dance, a world of nine rising and falling tones, conversations and stories. Like the language itself, the dance is a play on verbs.
Born in Adelaide, Australia, John Utans is a choreographer, performer and teacher. He has choreographed for numerous international artists, companies and independent projects. John has worked for The Victorian College of the Arts and Queensland University of Technology and is currently at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts as Senior Lecturer. John’s recent performances include projects in Melbourne and i-Dance Festival 2014 (Hong Kong); He was also the MC for the 2010 Hong Kong Dance Awards.
Photograhper: Rory Fink
Re-mark The Territory by Yang Hao
Every body movement is singular, and so is the derived inspiration. Dance, as an art form, inspires intricate qualities through body movements. Starting from the otherness of different dancers, different movements are created for each of them. These are combined into a whole entity, elaborating a partial representation of The Hong Kong Ballet. This mapping can also be thought of as a mapping of Hong Kong through individuals who personify this area of the world.
Born in Chongqing, China, Yang Hao studied in the Song and Dance Arts School in Beijing and later The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. He has been a dancer with City Contemporary Dance Company; Guangdong Modern Dance Company to name but a few. He has received several scholarships and awards, and has been a resident artist at SIDance festival Dance Exchange in 2013 and an Yale-China’s HKETO-NY Arts Fellow at the Yale University in 2015. His choreographic works include Autorun (2011), Cube (2013), Nothing… but something (2014), Out Spoken (2014) and Pied-à-terre (2015).
Performance Details
2-4.10.2015
Fri 8:00pm | Sat 8:00pm | Sun 3:00pm
3 performances
Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
$260, $160
Tickets available at URBTIX now
Suitable for ages 6 and above
The performance lasts approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes, including an intermission.
Ticketing Enquiries: 3761 6661
Credit Card Booking: 2111 5999
Internet Booking: www.urbtix.hk
Programme Enquiries: 2105 9724
| Discounts | |
|---|---|
| 50% off | Full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities (Limited tickets for students and senior citizens available on a first-come, first-served basis. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts.) |
| 15% off | Friends of Hong Kong Ballet |
| 10% off (First two tickets) |
Members of Chung Ying Theatre’s Energy Fun Club plus, Zuni's Friends, CCDC Dance Generation Premium members, HK Phil Club Bravo members, Friends of HKCO, Prestige Members of Friends of HKDC and Fringe members |
| Group Booking | 10% off for every purchase of 10-19 tickets at regular price, 15% off for 20-40 tickets |
Patrons can enjoy only one of the above discounts for each purchase.
Programme Plus!
Post-Performance Meet-the-Artist Session
Date: 2.10.2015 (Fri)
Time: After the evening performance
Conducted in English
Admission with performance tickets
Make-Up Partner
About Hong Kong Ballet
An eclectic mix of talent, a balance of classical and contemporary works, and a unique repertoire are the trademarks of Hong Kong Ballet, Asia’s premier ballet company. Internationally recognised and acclaimed for its creativity, talent and artistry, the Company, led by Artistic Director Madeleine Onne, is committed to providing captivating experiences that delight and inspire audiences from all walks of life, both at home and abroad.
For further information, please contact:
Dustin Pak
Assistant Marketing Manager
T: 2105 9721
M: 9200 7032
[email protected]
DOWNLOAD PRESS PHOTOS
[Click on the photo to download full image]
Wei Wei (top left), Lucas Jerkander (top right), Liu Yu-yao (bottom). Photo: Tim Wong.
