OKC Ballet opens with Exurgency

Oklahoma City Ballet will kick off its season with an add-on performance at Oklahoma City Community College & Visual Performing Arts Center Theatre on September 18-19 with  Exurgency: A Triple bill.

Exurgency was choreographed by Matthew Neenan for the 2013-2014 season of OKC Ballet. This time, it will feature live, on-stage music by composer and cellist Zoe Keating. Exurgency is a modern ballet that breaks the stereotype of what those accustomed to “classical ballet” expect, pushing the boundaries of classical ballet.

Two world premieres will round out the program. One from up and coming choreographer, Brian Enos, who has created work on Houston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Ballet Met, to name a few. The other new creation comes from budding choreographer, one of Oklahoma City Ballet’s own Principal Dancer, Yui Sato. Sato uses different types of dance and music influences to bring to stage a modern interpretation of ballet.

There are two performances of the triple bill, Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19, both at 8pm.

The season kickoff “Behind the Ballet” will be in conjunction with the dress rehearsal of Exurgency on September 17. The evening will begin at 6pm with hors d’ oeuvres, cocktails, and a chance to meet the choreographers. At 7:30, the rare chance to watch the dress rehearsal will be available. Tickets are $75 for adults, and $25 for students under age 18.

Single tickets for the performances start at $35 and can be purchased in person at either OKC Ballet offices, 700 ½ West Sheridan or 7421 N. Classen Blvd., in OKC, by phone at (405) 848-8637 or online at okcballet.com/tickets.

Brian Enos is the artistic director of The Big Muddy Dance Company in St. Louis, MO, and has been choreographing since age 14. He has since gone on to create works for companies such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Ballet Met, Nashville Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet, and DanceWorks Chicago, among others.

Enos was named “Best up and coming choreographer” by the Houston Press and was a winner of the annual Hubbard Street 2 International Choreographic Competition. As a dancer, he spent several years performing with The Houston Ballet before embarking on an eight-year career as a dancer and choreographer with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

About Oklahoma City Ballet: Founded in 1972 by Ballet Russe dancers Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov, Oklahoma City Ballet has been the city’s professional ballet company for over 40 years. It is the resident dance company of the Civic Center Music Hall and currently boasts 30 dancers from around the world. Led by Artistic Director Robert Mills, the company produces four main stage productions per season in Oklahoma City and tours across Oklahoma and the surrounding states. It is the only ballet company of its size to regularly debut world premiere story ballets with original commissioned scores and commission’s new works from the industry’s leading choreographers.

The Gayly – September 11, 2015 @ 1:50pm.