Beginning today, the Northwest Florida Ballet premieres "The New Works Project," ballets by three local choreographers, in a specially created black box theatre. Tickets for the Fort Walton Beach studio venue are limited.
An Okaloosa Public Arts exhibit — featuring artists' interpretations of the Northwest Florida Ballet's 2013 productions "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Afterglow" — accompanies the performances.
"The Northwest Florida Ballet has long been known for its stunning classical repertoire," the company's marketing assistant Megan Fontaine said. "What many may not realize, however, is that the ballet is also a center for creation and innovation."
The new works display three of the ballet school faculty members' choreography talents.
Jazz Rozer's "hi-er-ar-chy" "tells the story of human aspiration from birth and maturation, leading towards awareness, self-actualization and potential," Fontaine said. Rozer teaches jazz and hip hop at the NFB.
Kelly Murdock's "Super Mario MG" explores what happens when Shigeru Miyamoto’s Super Mario Brothers combine with renowned choreographer Martha Graham’s trademark technique.
"Life's Rich Experience," NFB associate director Sharon Allen's first composition, "explores thoughtful emotions and lyrical expressions of dance movement with the human connection to the essence of our earth, wind and water."
"Atomic Trio," another dance by Allen, is choreographed to music from Radiohead lead vocalist Thom Yorke's "Atoms for Peace," and explores the repetitive cycles of life.
Want to go?
WHAT: The New Works Project
WHO: Northwest Florida Ballet premiere of works by three local choreographers
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22; 2:30 Feb. 23
WHERE: NWF Ballet Studio, 310 Perry Ave., Fort Walton Beach.
DETAILS: Tickets $28 adult, $14 children 12 and under. Tickets are limited and available at the ballet organization's website, or by phone at 664-7787.
Email News Bulletin Staff Arts and Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'New Works,' local artists: Northwest Florida Ballet premieres works by local choreographers