Page Series: Ballet Memphis

Saturday | November 18 | 7:30pm
Page Theatre | Saint Mary’s University

Ballet Memphis has been recognized for its close ties to Tennessee’s rich musical and literary heritage through dance, production, and training. The Company partners with artists from around the globe for collaborative and original works, and has been lauded by The Ford Foundation as a “national treasure.”

Repertoire Ballet Memphis brings two powerful original works to the Page Theatre stage with an eclectic program that shows the power and skill of the company. Julie Marie Niekrasz (also a company dancer) created “Sa Voix” to show the drama of ballet’s Romantic Era in the 1800s and how costumes and movement perpetuated the idea of female dancers as ethereal and often frail. Niekrasz’s piece uses female dancers employing great power and emotion to take one small step to liberating those who have been suppressed, even in art.

Matthew Neenan’s “The Darting Eyes” is inspired by old photographs of river baptisms along the Mississippi Delta and incorporates elements of the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Heavenly Virtues in an evocative work brimming with aspects of pain and redemption.

Steven McMahon’s “Confluence” is about creating a home somewhere, and the physical and emotional journeys one takes in that process. McMahon, who is also the company’s associate artistic director, created the piece for Ballet Memphis’ “River Project” series of original works.

A free pre-performance talk will be offered at 6:45 p.m. in the Figliulo Recital Hall. Tickets are not required to attend the pre-performance talk. Tickets and information available at pagetheatre.org or call 507‑457‑1715.

This presentation is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Crane Group.

The Performance Center at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/JOIN.