(R)Evolve | March 16 and March 30, 2021

Join us for a series of frank and open discussions with local leaders on a range of social issues and the evolving role of ballet in bringing them to light. Discover the potential and power of ballet to open minds, and stimulate new perspectives and thinking. These talks will be in a panel format with moderators and include dance performance.

The first two of four (R)Evolve discussions begin this Spring – March 16 and March 30, 2021. The remaining dates, panel guests, and topics will be posted soon. While it was our intent to host each (R)Evolve discussion both in-person and via live stream, we currently anticipate that our March events will be live-steam only. We continue to monitor the situation and will post updates regarding plans for in-person (R)Evolve events as we learn them.

The Alchemy of Audience

Oregon Ballet Theatre’s primary mission is to bring the highest quality classical and contemporary ballet performances to our Portland stages and community. During this extraordinary year we have not been able to do so in person. Instead, we pivoted to digital performances and dance videos available on our new broadcast “station” OBTV. The physical separation from our audience has been painful and brought to the forefront the role of audience in performance. Our dancers and special guests will discuss their experience with dancing in an exclusively digital environment and what that has meant for them as performers and for our art form.

Panelists include:
• Choreographer Gioconda Barbuto
• OBT dancers: Coco Alverez-Mena, Eva Burton, Christopher Kaiser, and Bailey Shaw
• Former company member Emily Parker

Can Ballet Survive its Traditions?

In this segment we will lay bare some of the problematic traditions of classical ballet and ask how we can evolve and move forward to ensure that our art form remains vibrant and relevant to audiences now and in future. Our panelists will address issues such as classical ballet body types, gender roles, company hierarchy, and stereotyping of ethnic groups. We are excited to engage in this open and frank discussion to become a better OBT and leaders in our industry.

Panelists include:
• OBT Rehearsal Director Lisa Kipp
• Choreographer LeeWei Chao
• Dance writer Phil Chan who cofounded Final Bow for Yellow Face a movement committed to eliminating outdated and offensive stereotypes of Asians
• Former New York City Ballet soloist Kathryn Morgan a leading advocate for positive body image and mental health for aspiring ballerinas.

You can access individual episodes for $12 each or sign up for an All Access or Digital Pass to have unlimited access.

Image: Coreyonté | Photo by Jingzi Zhao