Jera Wolfe; Photo: Apryl Stead
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RWB SCHOOL’S SPOTLIGHT PERFORMANCE FEATURES WORLD PREMIERE FROM INDIGENOUS CHOREOGRAPHER: JERA WOLFE
Jera Wolfe; Photo: Apryl Stead
WINNIPEG- April 17, 2017. Reputable choreographer, contemporary dancer, and Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) School graduate Jera Wolfe’s newest creation, Reminiscence, will have its world premiere in the RWB School’s annual Professional Division showcase: Spotlight. Running from May 25-27 at the John Hirsch Mainstage of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Spotlight features the entire student body and is the culmination of the tireless work these young dancers put in each year.
Wolfe, who is a graduate of the RWB School’s Ballet Academic and Aspirant Programs, made a name for himself back in August 2015 when he co-choreographed Backbone, A Red Sky Performance production commissioned by the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity.
Wolfe took time away from his work with the award-winning Red Sky Performance Company, Canada’s leading company of contemporary world Indigenous performance in dance, theatre and music, to return to the RWB School for a guest choreography engagement to tackle this commission.
“Being here at the RWB School is like coming home and getting to work with your family, there’s nothing more amazing than that,” says Wolfe. “I wouldn’t be half the dancer I am today if I didn’t train here. If it wasn’t for the training, facility, and beautiful foundation I received in dance, I probably wouldn’t be a dancer.”
“Jera Wolfe was an exceptional student,” says Stéphane Léonard, Aspirant Program Director and Artistic Coordinator of Spotlight. “I feel honoured to have been a part in shaping him into the choreographer and dancer he is today.”
Reminiscence explores the relationship between mature artists and much younger dancers, teaching one another and growing together in the art form. Reminiscence is performed alongside excerpts from Marius Petipa’s Raymonda, which is staged by Anastasia Dunets and Stanislav Belyaevsky, and Mauricio Wainrot’s Carmina Burana.
The RWB School gratefully acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada, the Manitoba Arts Council, and the 2017 Spotlight performance sponsor: Investors Group.
CALENDAR LISTING What: Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School presents Spotlight Location: Royal Manitoba TheatreCentre, 174 Market Ave, Winnipeg, MB Date: Thursday, May 25 to Saturday, May 27, 2017 Time: May 25-26 at 7:30 p.m. and May 27 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Tickets for Spotlight are $25-30 plus taxes and fees and can be purchased online at rwb.org, in person through the RWB Customer Service Office at 380 Graham Avenue or by calling 204.956.2792 or toll free 1.800.667.4792.
About Spotlight
The RWB School Professional Division comes together once a year to share its stories and successes in the enchanting showcase: Spotlight. Spotlight is the culmination of the tireless work these young dancers put in each year. They take their experiences from every warm-up, every class, every rehearsal and showcase that passion and dedication in an eclectic 90-minute performance that highlights their unwavering commitment to the art form. Taking what for some is their first step onto the professional stage, 80 young artists from across Canada and around the world promise to give audiences of all ages and tastes something to rave about!
About Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division Founded in 1970 by celebrated teacher and former Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company Principal Dancer David Moroni C.M., O.M., D.Litt, (h.c.), Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School has an international reputation for providing the highest quality training to its dancers and dance teachers. Under the leadership of Arlene Minkhorst since 2004, the RWB School has continued to provide excellent dance training system for students pursuing a professional career. RWB School alumni have gone on to exciting careers in all facets of the dance industry and currently form 65 per cent of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company and comprise over half of its dance faculty.
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For further media information and access to high resolution images, please contact:
Natasha Havrilenko I Public Relations Coordinator T: 204-957-3456 I C: 204-223-4010 nhavrilenko@rwb.org
Jocelyn Unrau I School Marketing & Communications Manager T: 204-957-3412 junrau@rwb.org
