Milwaukee ballet hosts international choreographer competition

The Milwaukee Ballet Artistic director recently launched Genesis: International Choreographic Competition at the Milwaukee Ballet. The competition has selected three choreographers from all over the globe who will compete for the chance to win $3,000 and the opportunity to create an original piece for the Milwaukee Ballet for the 2011-2012 season.
“New work is the life-blood of dance,” Pink said. “Genesis provides the opportunity for three choreographers to work with world class dancers in a professional environment that fosters and nurtures creativity.”
Pink received more than 50 submissions from countries like Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, India and others. Choreographers Lucas Jervies from Australia; Mauro de Candia from Italy; and Edgar Zendejas from Mexico were selected to compete in the show.
Genesis: International Choreographic Competition will be held Thursday, Feb. 10 through Sunday, Feb. 13.
The selected choreographers were picked by Pink himself.
 “I look for musicality and creativity in the steps; the original way in which the choreographer brings together music and dance,” Pink said.
Each contestant is given a team of eight performers from the ballet, together they will put together a 20-minute performance. The dancers and choreographer will have a total of 90 rehearsal hours to make the piece performance-ready, Pink said.
The competition will be judged by a panel of ballet artistic directors and executives and will take plae at the Pabst Theater downtown.
Second place will receive $2,000; third place will receive $1,000; and the audience will be able to interact with the contest by voting for an audience favorite who will receive an additional $500.
Tickets to the performances range from $25-$89. To order tickets or for additional information, call (414) 902-2103.