New Works Festival Symposium

The creation of new work is essential to the advancement and even survival of dance. San Francisco Ballet’s New Works Festival, during which local and international choreographers unveiled 10 world premieres, was an opportune time to reflect on the state of dance, the creative process and the impact of technology. Symposium topics explored the role of emerging technology in creating, experiencing, and communicating dance, and how a classical art form can remain relevant in the context of new work.

Part I: What is the emerging role of technology in creating, experiencing, and communicating dance?

Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 4:30–6:00pm
Herbst Theatre

Panelists:
John Crawford, Assistant Professor of Dance and Media Arts at the University of California, Irvine
Judith Mackrell, UK, dance critic, The Guardian
Muriel Maffre, Former San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancer
Nancy Reynolds, Director of Research, The George Balanchine Foundation
Christopher Wheeldon, Artistic Director, Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company

Part II: How does the classical ballet tradition remain relevant in the context of the creation of new works?

Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:30–7:00pm
Herbst Theatre

Panelists:
Helgi Tomasson, Artistic Director and Choreographer, San Francisco Ballet
Judith Mackrell, UK, dance critic, The Guardian
Nancy Reynolds, Director of Research, The George Balanchine Foundation
Allan Ulrich, Voice of Dance, The Financial Times, and independent dance critic

Moderator: Christopher Stowell, Artistic Director Oregon Ballet Theatre