Diversity, talent and originality will take the stage at 1 p.m. October 7, 13 and 14 when the 11 annual A Choreographers’ Showcase presents “Art from Art” in the Mystère Theatre at Treasure Island. A true afternoon delight, the event will mark the second decade of the acclaimed collaboration of Cirque du Soleil and Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) as well as the beginning of NBT’s 2018-2019 season.
Since 2007, A Choreographers’ Showcase has created more than 100 original works and nurtured more than 500 artists in an exploration of music, movement and collaboration. This year’s choreographers come from various performing arts and technical theater backgrounds — including dancers, acrobats, aerialists and even a stage rigger.
“Art from Art” will feature a dozen original creations and 60 artists from both Cirque du Soleil and NBT, including newcomer Blue Man Group.
“Every choreographer has created a piece that shows the initial spark of their creativity, which was inspired by an existing piece of art,” says Johanna Sapakie, creative guide for Cirque du Soleil. “That inspiration may be a work of literature, a painting, a sculpture, fashion or an art installation. The choreographers create the piece with the performers in the room with them.”
This year’s production has no soloists, but includes a duet with one NBT artist and one Cirque artist. The largest piece encompasses 16 artists from both companies.
Vol D’icare choreographed by Caine Keenan. 2018 Art from Art: A Choreographers’ Showcase
“The purpose of A Choreographers’ Showcase is twofold,” Sapakie says. “Both NBT and Cirque have made a strong effort to allow their performers to explore their creative side and grow. A Choreographers’ Showcase allows these artists to step outside of their nightly performance zone and be creators. It gives both organizations a chance to discover new talent.
“It [also] offers us the opportunity to show Las Vegas and the world what amazing and diverse artists are in our city,” she says. “It highlights the assets of both companies, which complement each other very well, and offers a hybrid of both worlds.”
Cirque du Soleil and NBT select the choreographers, artists and theme of original work presented each year. With mentoring by Sapakie and NBT Artistic Director Roy Kaiser (and Cirque’s Caine Keenan assisting), “Art from Art” will include a special appearance by NBT’s Future Dance Scholars.
All proceeds from the show will support NBT’s professional company productions at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, where it is the resident ballet company; its affiliated Academy, which trains more than 400 students; and its Education and Outreach programs, which benefit more than 20,000 students a year in at-risk communities and beyond.
NBT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization, and Madeleine and Don Andress generously sponsor A Choreographers’ Showcase.
Tickets for the performance start at $25 and may be purchased by calling the Mystère box office, 702-894-7722, or visiting Nevada Ballet Theatre.
