Taking part in the worldwide celebration of International Dance Day, Ballet Philippines presents the Young Dancers and Choreographers Showcase. The show shines the spotlight on the young artists of Ballet Philippines.
Through glimpses of their beginning choreographies and more recent works, the company brings forth the next generation of choreographers who are set to push the Philippine art scene into the 21st century.
The showcase is directed by Ballet Philippines’ artistic director Paul Alexander Morales. Featured choreographers include Richardson Yadao, Gillianne Gequinto, Edana Labitoria, Ian Nick Tiba, Danilo Dayo, Bonifacio Guerrero, and Erl Emmanuel Sorilla, who won the Trudl Dubsky Zipper Award (Outstanding Contemporary Choreography) at the 1st CCP Ballet Competition.
Widely recognized Hip Hop International Elite Judge and current guest teacher at Ballet Philippines Dance School Margherita Vasselli will also present new choreography featuring BP Crew, the Dance School’s hip hop performing arm.
The cast of the Young Dancers and Choreographers Showcase is comprised of Ballet Philippines company members, scholars of the Ballet Philippines Dance School, and BP II, Ballet Philippines’ junior performing company.
Aside from actively touring and performing locally, it has already participated in international festivals including performances in Asia and France. BP II was formed to provide a venue for promising young dancers to develop their talents in accordance with Ballet Philippines’ standards of performance and technique.
These young talents would be the most outstanding apprentices and scholars of the company and the BP Dance School.
International Dance Day (IDD) was founded in 1982 by the International Theatre Institute to be celebrated every year on the 29th of April, which is the anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), the creator of modern ballet.
The IDD aims to celebrate dance, to revel in the universality of this art form, to cross all political, cultural, and ethnic barriers and bring people together with a common language – dance.
This year’s IDD message was written by the Spanish choreographer and dancer Israel Galván. Below is an excerpt from his message:
“I see people moving when walking down the street, when calling a taxi, when moving in their different ways, styles and deformities. They’re all dancing! They don’t know it but they’re all dancing! I would like to shout to them: there are people who still don’t know! We’re all dancing! Those who don’t dance are unlucky, they are dead, they do not feel or suffer!”
The Young Dancers and Choreographers Showcase will be held on April 29, 8 p.m. at the Ballet Philippines Studio One (near the Folk Arts Theater), Liwasang Ullalim, Pedro Bukaneg St., CCP Complex, Pasay City. Tickets are by donation. For inquiries, visit www.ballet.ph or call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003.
