CONTACT:

Zoé Emilie Henrot, Artistic Director

zhenrot@spcballet.org

(651) 690-1588

St. Paul Ballet Premiers “The Work: 4 Women in Choreography” at The Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts

Sally Rousse, Diane Coburn-Bruning, Jamie A. Johnson, and Zoé Emilie Henrot create four world premiers

SAINT PAUL – There will be three performances: Friday, February 12 at 7:30, Saturday, February 13 at 7:30, and Sunday, February 14 at 2pm. Four women choreographers hailing from the Twin Cities and beyond bring unexpected fresh work from a storehouse of experience alongside emerging sensibilities using the artistic range of St. Paul Ballet’s company dancers and their combined power and litheness. A full evening of all women choreographers in ballet is no small feat and SPB is elated to be at the head of the line to give this gift to the Twin Cities community. Tickets are $15-$35, assigned seating at the Goodale Theater. Purchase tickets online or by calling the box office at 612-206-3600.

ABOUT THE WORK

Each piece is a world premier set on the company of St. Paul Ballet. No strangers to contemporary work, the SPB dancers will showcase their refined maturity and movement language.

Sally Rousse’s new work, “Back Foot Dancing” (working title), is set to the music of Augusta Read Thomas and focuses on the use of the pointe shoe and human back to create new shapes and ways of moving. As the first female dancer to have set foot on the stage at the Cowles Center, Rousse says she feels very good about passing on all of her pointe shoe secrets and holing nothing back. For more information on Sally’s work with SPB visit her website.

Diane Coburn Bruning put the dancers through a potent 30 hours during her residency creating Six, a pas de dix that emphasizes daring and unexpected partnering work accompanied by the sliding and rebounding that dancing in stockings creates.

Jamie Johnson followed on Diane’s heels in November bringing her elegant phrasing and sublime line to a new piece for SPB.

Finally, Zoé Emilie Henrot makes a return to the Goodale stage with, Locked Key. In October 2015, Ms. Henrot gave audiences a taste of the work that explores the circular nature of human psychology through fluid strength.

MEET THE CHOREOGRAPHERS

Sally Rousse

Diane Coburn Bruning

Jamie A Johnson

Zoé Emilie Henrot