New Mexico Ballet Company brings back 'Choreographers' Collective' showcase
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In its first annual showcase since 2019, the New Mexico Ballet Company will take audiences through a collection of choreography on Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2.
Opening at the University of New Mexico鈥檚 Rodey Theatre, 鈥淐horeographers鈥� Collective鈥� showcases company dancers creating their own choreography.
The program will include 13 pieces by 10 choreographers and about 35 dancers, said interim artistic director Kelly Ruggiero.
New Mexico Ballet Company brings back 'Choreographers' Collective' showcase
鈥淚t gives the dancers a creative outlet because they鈥檙e so used to doing the work of one choreographer,鈥� she said.
The dancing features classical ballet, contemporary ballet, lyrical and modern as well as hip-hop, she added. The choreographers also create their own lighting and costumes.
鈥淚t definitely shows more diverse dance styles as opposed to classical ballet with the 鈥楴utcracker,鈥� 鈥� Ruggiero added.
Ruggiero set her dance to the music of Beethoven鈥檚 鈥淪ymphony No. 5.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檝e got 29 people in that,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey will be in very simple black, but I got colonial Beethoven wigs for them and little jabots.鈥�
The choreographers can rent company costumes, but most of them created their own, Ruggiero said.
鈥淎lmost all the choreographers picked their own vision. A lot of them are contemporary.鈥�
In addition to 鈥淐horeographers鈥� Collective,鈥� the NMBC School will be presenting its annual spring recital, 鈥淎 Night at the Movies,鈥� that same weekend. The recital will showcase a variety of styles with original choreography by faculty members. The performances will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, and 12 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, in the Rodey Theatre.
Founded in 1972 by Suzanne and Sidney Johnston, the NMBC is celebrating its 52nd season.
