Citie Ballet features two new dances

It’s the big reward after a gruelling year of hard work. The professional dancers at Citie Ballet are presenting a double bill of new works to close the season.

Interim artistic director and choreographer Jorden Morris presents MOA, an inspired ballet on the life of figurative painter Egon Schiele.

The opening piece is titled Don’t Look Back, an interpretation of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice choreographed by Citie Ballet emerging choreographer Kiera Keglowitsch.

The two ballets run this Saturday and Sunday at the Timms Centre for the Arts.

Morris first premiered MOA with Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 2012 and has a lengthy resume of hits such as Moulin Rouge – The Ballet and The Doorway – Scenes from Leonard Cohen.

The Albert born dancer-choreographer was intrigued by Schiele, an expressionist painter who propositioned underage girls, spent time in jail and as a soldier was sent to the front during wartime.

“He had many challenges in life. He was married. He had an affair, but he had a sister who was always there. She was very supportive and quite protective,” said Morris.

Although there were rumours of an incestuous relationship, Morris chooses to present the sister as an angelic protector. He has cast St. Albert dancer Lauren O’Kell as the sister.

“Lauren has the right look and reminds me of the dancer I created it for. She has strength in movement and she has a gentle and appealing side.”

For her part O’Kell is thrilled to play the lead female role. Morris paired his movements to a music written by the contemporary chamber group The Rachels. The music is intricate and O’Kell calls the role a technically, emotionally and artistic challenge.

“There are quick, sharp movements and being in time with the music is important. And then there are silences and you have to be on time when the note comes. You have to make sure the character is spot-on. She has to look graceful even when doing complicated steps and going through different emotions is challenging emotionally and physically,” O’Kell said.

There is even a pas de deux displaying sibling love. However, romance in this show is restricted to Keglowitsch’s Don’t Look Back.

In this Greek myth, Orpheus uses his charms to rescue his wife Eurydice from Hades. She died from snakebite and now lives in the underworld. As the hero, he is quite willing to go to hell and back to rescue his love.

Keglowitsch is a company dancer and was temporarily sidelined by an injury before the opportunity to choreograph a ballet came about.

“It’s really interesting to create an entire story or feeling and send a message. As a dancer you are a piece in a puzzle. But as a choreographer there is a lot of freedom to create you don’t have as a dancer,” said Keglowitsch.

Her message is simple. “In holding on to the past and always looking over your shoulder can be detrimental to your future.”