Saskatchewan's only professional ballet company performed a program of contemporary and classical works in North Battleford Saturday as part of the Ballet Across the Prairies tour.
The Chapel Gallery served as the venue for the performance specially designed for the Battlefords, featuring local artists and involving local professionals and supporters.
The performance included a new work by Montreal choreographer Giocondo Barbuto, as well as a collaboration with the Kamala Choir with costume design by Linda Coe-Kirkham of the Battlefords.
White Birch Ballet's founding artistic director, Darlene J. Williams, sees the company's role as one not only of performing and training, but of sharing, mentoring and encouraging.
White Birch is Saskatchewan's only professional ballet company, and was founded in 2008 to provide performing and other growth opportunities to professional and emerging artists while staying within the province.
The performance Saturday was preceded by a workshop for local dance students led by Williams and followed by a question and answer session with the dancers of the troupe, four principal dancers and four apprentice dancers.
Williams said without a program such as White Birch, which offers an opportunity for young dancers to continue to develop their craft past high school, the development of dance on the prairies will fail.
