Founded in 2002, and under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO (AD/CEO) Simone Orlando since 2014, Ballet Kelowna delivers compelling and inspiring performances to regional, national, and international audiences. The Company presents numerous styles of dance from Canada’s finest emerging and established choreographers, and embraces the precision and athleticism of ballet technique to create original new works that captivate and engage today’s diverse audiences.

Serving as the only professional dance company in BC’s Interior, Ballet Kelowna is committed to its role as a leader in the region through encouraging, promoting, and developing Canadian dancers and choreographers. The Company performs annually for over 12,000 audience members in Kelowna and on tour, while also providing unique dance training opportunities and outreach programs.

AD/CEO Simone Orlando is an award-winning choreographer and former dancer with Ballet BC and The National Ballet of Canada. Ms. Orlando is actively leading Ballet Kelowna in collaborations with other community organizations, to educate and cultivate new dance audiences, and to enhance the impact of performances and programs.

MAMBO
AND OTHER WORKS
MIXED PROGRAM - 2018
CONTEMPORARY BALLET

taqəš (2021)

CHOREOGRAPHER: Cameron Fraser-Monroe

MUSIC: Jeremy Dutcher, Oquiton, Essuwonike, Ultestakon | Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa

LIGHTING DESIGN: James Proudfoot

COSTUME DESIGN: Cameron Fraser-Monroe

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Cuatro Estaciones (2019)

CHOREOGRAPHER: Simone Orlando

MUSIC: Astor Piazzolla, Four Seasons of Buenos Aires and Antonio Vivaldi, The Four Seasons

COSTUME DESIGN: Lynette Schlichting and Simone Orlando

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Bolero (2012)

CHOREOGRAPHER: Guillaume Côté

MUSIC: Maurice Ravel, Bolero

COSTUME DESIGN: Yannik Larivée

Courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada
 

MAMBO (2018)

CHOREOGRAPHER: Alysa Pires 

MUSIC: Perry Como, Rosemary Clooney, Julie London, Xavier Cugat, Sarah Vaughan, Dean Martin, and Louis Prima

COSTUME DESIGN: Alysa Pires

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The MAMBO and Other Works program features a meticulous assemblage of signature works from Ballet Kelowna's contemporary ballet  repertoire.

Works such as taqəš by Cameron Fraser-Monroe or Cuatro Estaciones by Simone Orlando will be presented in combination with Bolero by renowned Quebec choreographer Guillaume Côté and MAMBO by Alysa Pires, in order to offer you a program adapted to your needs.

With its wide variety of inspiring musical pieces, the MAMBO and Other Works program will satisfy any audience !

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"A captivating tour de force "

- Dance Magazine about Bolero

DURATION 85 to 100 minutes including an intermission

CREW 10 dancers + 1 artistic director + 1 lighting director + 1 rehearsal director + 1 stage manager 

SET-UP 12 hours

STAGE DIMENSIONS Width 11m / Depth 8m / Height 5.5m

AUDIENCE SIZE Small, medium and large venues

OUTREACH 

- Talkbacks

- Master classes in ballet or contemporary dance 

  (students aged 12+)

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VIEW TECHNICAL RIDER

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MACBETH - 2022
CONTEMPORARY BALLET

CHOREOGRAPHER: Alysa Pires
MUSIC:  Adam Sakiyama
VISUAL DESIGN:  Jane Everett

Ballet Kelowna’s first commissioned full-length ballet, Macbeth, is by Canadian dance luminary Alysa Pires. With its themes of ambition, power, and corruption, William Shakespeare’s Macbeth has remained relevant throughout time. Pires brings her signature athleticism and theatricality to this contemporary adaptation of the iconic tragedy exploring the dark side of human nature.

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With an original score by Dora Award-winning music director, composer, and lyricist Adam Sakiyama and atmospheric multimedia visuals  by Okanagan artist Jane Everett, Macbeth promises to be a gripping, visceral experience.

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" What’s done cannot be undone. "

- Lady Macbeth

DURATION  120 minutes including an intermission

CREW  12 Dancers + 1 Artistic Director + 1 Rehearsal Director +

1 Lighting Director + 1 Stage Manager

STAGE DIMENSIONS  Width 12.2m / Depth 10.7m / Height 7.7m

SET-UP  12 hours

AUDIENCE SIZE  Medium and large venues
OUTREACH  

- Talkbacks

- Master classes in ballet or contemporary dance 

  (students aged 12+)

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VIEW TECHNICAL RIDER

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September 30, 2022 - Gekko/Bolero, 31st Annual Festival of New Dance, St. John's, NL

November 9, 2022 -  MAMBO and Other Works, The Capitol Centre, North Bay, Ontario

November 17, 2022 - MAMBO and Other Works, Sioux Hudson Entertainment Series, Soux Lookout, Ontario

November 19, 2022 - MAMBO and Other Works, Dryden Entertainment Series, Dryden, Ontario

November 22, 2022 - MAMBO and Other Works, Red Lake Wilderness Centre for the Performing Arts, Redlake, Ontario