Kmieć Inks 2-Year Contract With Ballet Western Reserve
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- New York choreographer Staś Kmieć has signed a two-year contract as artistic director of Ballet Western Reserve, the organization announced Saturday. The contract includes an exclusive pre-professional training program in BWR’s school and a dance company.
“The impact Kmieć made three years ago and again during the recent spring season prompted the board to seek his expertise to rejuvenate, redesign, and reimagine BWR,” said Sabrina Shapiro, board president. The motto he established for BWR in 2011 -- "Inspiration, Professionalism and Dance Education" -- is still inscribed on the main wall of the organization’s location in the Morley Building downtown.
“During his time at BWR, Staś has taken the organization to new areas of creativity, public awareness, visibility, and community involvement,” Shapiro said.
Kmieć’s background includes dancing with the Boston Ballet, Metropolitan Opera Ballet and Stars of American Ballet, and touring with superstar Rudolf Nureyev. He later danced on Broadway and performed in national tours across the country, and on television and film. He worked with famed choreographers such as Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Tommy Tune and Agnes DeMille.
In July he won the “Excellence in Choreography” Award for his work in the New York Musical Theater Festival’s new musical, The Mapmaker’s Opera, which featured BWR alumna Natalia Lepore Hagan, and was engaged in June as the “American judge” for the International Ballet/Dance Festival in Europe.
“New programs and collaborations will offer more performing opportunities for the BWR company, which will be expanded in scope,” Kmieć said. He has forged an alliance with Opera Western Reserve through 2017 and the company will appear in the upcoming production of Don Giovanni. Additional collaborations are planned with the Youngstown Playhouse, Oakland Theater, Liz Rubino Studios and The Youngstown Symphony.
A new holiday Nutcracker was unveiled at the open house. The production will feature choreography by Kmieć, and will include the area’s acting community, vocal and instrumental groups and many Youngstown organizations. Complete details will be released at a later date.
In addition to ballet, modern, jazz and tap, new class additions will include hip-hop, inter-disciplinary classes (such as Afro-Caribbean, Chinese, Cuban, ballroom, Irish, musical theater and character), mini-movements, yoga, Pilates and adult classes. Guest artist master classes will be scheduled throughout the season.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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