Smuin Contemporary Ballet kicks off its 31st season—its first led by Artistic Director Amy Seiwert—with a thrilling program of premieres and celebrated works. In its season opener, Smuin introduces its audiences to two renowned choreographers. Globally in-demand dancemaker Jennifer Archibald will create a World Premiere in her first project with Smuin. Archibald, the founder and Artistic Director of the Arch Dance Company and Program Director of ArchCore40 Dance Intensives, was appointed as the first female Resident Choreographer in Cincinnati Ballet’s 40-year history. Known for exploring partnering and movement styles across genres, Archibald’s premiere promises a dynamic new work that highlights the spectacular versatility of Smuin artists. BalletX co-founder Matthew Neenan, who was declared “one of the most appealing and singular choreographic voices in ballet today” by The New York Times, will also make his company debut in “Dance Series 1.” Neenan’s character-driven The Last Glass is a theatrical work set to the music of indie-rock band Beirut. Driven by the intensely lyrical soundtrack, storylines both playful and passionate unfold in this expressive pop ballet. Rounding out the bill is Amy Seiwert’s Renaissance, returning to the Bay Area following its New York premiere at the Joyce Theater. This striking work is complemented by an empowering a cappella soundtrack by Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble, the acclaimed Oakland-based group specializing in traditional songs and vocal techniques from Eastern Europe. Inspired by the 2019 Women’s Wall protest in India, one of the largest gender equity protests in history, the piece was hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as “Dynamic. Inventive. Sinuous. Renaissance has a certain grave and timeless feel to it.”

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