Ballet Returns to Vancouver's Stage - Westcoast German News

Ballet Returns to Vancouver’s Stage

While Vancouver boasts the renowned Ballet BC, the city has lacked access to professional classical ballet performed en pointe. Now, internationally acclaimed choreographer Joshua Beamish is launching Ballet Vancouver Performance Series, filling this specific void that has left classical ballet enthusiasts traveling elsewhere for traditional pointe work and narrative ballets.

The announcement marks a homecoming of sorts for Beamish, who arrived in Vancouver as a teenager in 2004 for his final year of dance training and never left. Now, at 36, the Edmonton-born artist who founded his groundbreaking contemporary company Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY at just 17, is ready to give back to the city that shaped his artistic vision.

“While we have a wealth of exceptional contemporary dance companies and presenters, we don’t have regular access to professional classical ballet en pointe,” Beamish explains. “This moment felt perfectly primed to launch this new Company, to serve and represent the diverse population of Vancouver.”

Star Power Comes Home

The inaugural production, set for April 23-25, 2026, at the Vancouver Playhouse, reads like a who’s who of North American ballet. Vancouver-born Benjamin Freemantle, former Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet, will share the stage with Stephanie Petersen, a veteran of American Ballet Theatre and Australian Ballet. The international cast includes Julian Hunt from Kidd Pivot and Jonatan Lujan, who has graced stages from the Met Opera Ballet to Ballet Zurich.

This star-studded lineup reflects Ballet Vancouver’s ambitious vision: to create a platform where locally trained artists who’ve achieved international success can return to perform for their home audiences, while providing Vancouver dancers with unprecedented access to world-class mentorship and performance opportunities.

Indigenous Artistry Takes Center Stage

In a move that sets Ballet Vancouver apart from traditional ballet companies, the inaugural season will feature a world premiere collaboration between Beamish and Indigenous artist and fashion designer Yolonda Skelton. This work promises “a harmonious, thoughtful integration of Indigenous design and ballet,” signaling the company’s commitment to reflecting Vancouver’s diverse cultural fabric.

Board President Cynthia Robinson, a proud Coast Salish Stó:lō woman, emphasizes this commitment: “These lands have long been a vibrant hub for storytelling, ceremony, and artistry—since time immemorial. Ballet Vancouver will carve a place in the global dance landscape, igniting thought, emotion, and cultural dialogue.”

A Program of Premieres and Reimaginings

The opening mixed program showcases Ballet Vancouver’s range and ambition. Audiences will witness the Vancouver premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s emotionally resonant “After the Rain,” originally created for New York City Ballet. The program also includes the live Vancouver premiere of “Redemption” by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa—a haunting solo exploring themes of solitude and contemplation—and a reprise of Wen Wei Wang’s “Swan,” a modern reimagining of the classical “Swan Lake” performed en pointe.

World-Class Support

Ballet Vancouver’s credibility is underscored by its Artistic Advisory Committee, a constellation of ballet luminaries including Wendy Whelan, Associate Artistic Director of New York City Ballet; Chan Hon Goh, former Principal with The National Ballet of Canada; and current National Ballet Principal Heather Ogden, who trained locally at Richmond Academy of Dance.

“I’m certain the audiences in Vancouver will enjoy the opportunity to experience a variety of repertoire,” says Ogden, who remembers the inspiration she drew from visiting companies during her own training. “Ballet Vancouver will serve as a wonderful inspiration for the current generation of promising young dancers.”

Beyond the Spotlight

While the glamour of opening night captures attention, Ballet Vancouver’s mission extends far beyond the proscenium. The company plans regular home seasons complemented by national and international touring, alongside robust outreach programs and choreographic development initiatives designed to nurture emerging local talent.

This comprehensive approach addresses a gap that extends beyond mere entertainment. For young dancers in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, Ballet Vancouver represents something that hasn’t existed for years: a clear pathway from local training to professional performance, without requiring them to leave their home province.

A Cultural Moment

The timing of Ballet Vancouver’s launch reflects broader shifts in the cultural sector. As cities worldwide recognize the economic and social value of the arts, Vancouver’s investment in professional ballet positions the city competitively on the international cultural stage.

For Beamish, who has spent 20 years building an international reputation through his contemporary work—with commissions from The Royal Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, and companies across four continents—Ballet Vancouver represents both a new challenge and a return to roots.

As Vancouver prepares to welcome its new ballet company, the stage is set for more than just exceptional performances. Ballet Vancouver promises to restore not just professional ballet to the city, but a sense of artistic possibility for a new generation of dancers who will no longer need to look elsewhere to find their stage.

Ballet Vancouver’s inaugural performance runs April 23-25, 2026, at the Vancouver Playhouse. A preview event takes place November 20, 2025, at Q7. For more information, visit balletvancouver.com