National Choreographers Initiative: A Spectacular Evening of Contemporary Ballet at Irvine Barclay Theatre

Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated return of the National Choreographers Initiative (NCI) at the prestigious Irvine Barclay Theatre on Saturday, July 29th. Founded by the renowned choreographer Molly Lynch in 2004, NCI continues to make waves in the dance community, showcasing new works by talented choreographers from around the nation.

For its 19th season, NCI: Discovery 2023 will feature four exceptional choreographers - Kristopher Estes-Brown, Ye Li, Ian Schwaner, and Carrie Ruth Trumbo. These creative minds have been given the opportunity to craft contemporary ballets that will be performed for the first time on the Irvine Barclay Theatre stage.

Under the artistic direction of Molly Lynch, NCI serves as a platform to promote professional dance and support the national dance community. Each choreographer receives the freedom to choose their style and theme, resulting in stunning and original performances. Many of the pieces developed through this initiative have gone on to be acclaimed performances both in the United States and abroad.

The evening promises to be an immersive experience, with each choreographer introducing their piece, followed by a Q&A session moderated by Molly Lynch. This allows the audience to gain insights into the inspiration and creative process behind the works.

Let's take a moment to spotlight the talented choreographers gracing the NCI stage:

• Kristopher Estes-Brown: Known for his athletic, expressive movement style and unique musicality, Estes-Brown has created over 90 original contemporary dance pieces. His works have received widespread acclaim from audiences and dance companies across the country.
• Ye Li: An award-winning dancer who has performed lead roles in classic ballets, Li's expertise and artistry shine through in his choreography. He is also the executive director and choreographer for the Oregon International Ballet Academy.
• Ian Schwaner: With a background that includes dancing leading roles and premiering immersive dance films, Schwaner brings a fresh perspective to the NCI stage. His dynamic and captivating choreography has earned him well-deserved recognition.
• Carrie Ruth Trumbo: As the resident choreographer and artistic associate of Pegasus Contemporary Ballet, Trumbo's work exudes creativity and passion. Her repertoire includes pieces awarded with the TACA Pop-Up Grant.

The NCI has a rich history of nurturing talent, with past editions featuring 69 choreographers and producing 72 new works. More than 30 of these works have been performed and premiered by dance companies throughout the United States and internationally.

Tickets for the NCI event are available for both in-person and livestream attendance. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the brilliance of contemporary ballet at Irvine Barclay Theatre. In-person tickets range from $20 to $60, while virtual access tickets are priced at $20.

Irvine Barclay Theatre, with its intimate atmosphere and exceptional acoustics, has been a hub for extraordinary performances by internationally recognized artists since 1990. Over the last 33 years, it has welcomed over 2.6 million patrons to indulge in a diverse array of captivating performances.

Irvine Barclay Theatre is located at 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, adjacent to UC Irvine. For tickets or more information, please visit thebarclay.org or call (949) 854-4646.