Now known as Ballet BC, this company was founded as Ballet British Columbia in 1986 and made two Pillow appearances under its original name in 1993 and 1995, both times under the direction of John Alleyne, with choreographer Crystal Pite among the performers. The performance seen here represents the company’s Pillow debut, and also the first time any work by Jiří Kylián was presented at Jacob’s Pillow. In a program note, the Czech-born Kylián explains, “Searching for new experiences and being abroad from the land of your origin for a substantial time, you will return home finding a strange land.” Since 2009, Ballet BC has thrived under the direction of former company member Emily Molnar, who has assembled a diverse repertoire of Canadian and international work from the late 20th and early 21st centuries as well as creating her own new works. The 18-member troupe is based in Vancouver, performing regularly in its home city as well as touring provincially, nationally, and internationally, most recently performing at the Pillow in 2015.
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