In a new initiative to develop choreographers, composers and designers who have not yet worked on a large scale, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Sadler’s Wells have launched Ballet Now, a five-year programme of professional development, with the first awarded commissions to be announced on 3 November 2017 at Sadler’s Wells.
There will be two commissions for a total of six artists each year—one choreographer, composer and designer per commission—with mentoring from BRB’s Artistic Director David Bintley and Music Director Koen Kessels as well as other experts in the dance industry.
The process will be developed and overseen by a Creative Consortium consisting of David Bintley (Director, Birmingham Royal Ballet), Koen Kessels (Music Director, Birmingham Royal Ballet), Alistair Spalding (Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director and Chief Executive), Cassa Pancho (Artistic Director, Ballet Black), Ted Brandsen (Director, Dutch National Ballet), Emma Southworth (Studio Programme Senior Producer, The Royal Ballet), Sally Beamish (Composer), Sally Cavender (Director, Performance Music and Vice-Chairman, Faber Music). More members will be announced shortly.