Ballet Hispánico

Doña Perón

2022-10-14 20:00 2022-10-15 21:10 60 Canada/Eastern 🎟 NAC: Ballet Hispánico

https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/30547

In-person event

Ballet Hispánico, the largest Latinx cultural organization in the United States, makes its debut appearance at the NAC with their new work Doña Perón, created to mark the company’s 50th anniversary. This full-length contemporary ballet celebrates the life of one of the most captivating women of South American history. Choreographed by internationally renowned Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Doña Perón is an explosive portrait of Eva "Evita" Perón whose...

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Southam Hall,1 Elgin Street,Ottawa,Canada
October 14 - 15, 2022

≈ 70 minutes · No intermission

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Last updated: October 4, 2022

Welcome everyone to a new season of NAC Dance! And what a spectacular way to begin, with the brilliant Ballet Hispánico on our stage for the first time. Currently in its 52nd year, the company is dedicated to reflecting the experience of Latinx/Hispanic culture through innovative dance productions and community engagement, and is now the largest Latinx cultural organization in the USA. Artistic Director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro – who took over the helm from founder Tina Ramirez (1929-2022) in 2009 – commissioned the internationally acclaimed choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa to create her first full-evening piece for the company. Doña Perón explores, through majestic storytelling, the complicated and emotional life of Eva Perón and her controversial rise in Argentinian society. With sweeping choreography that showcases these amazing dancers, captivating music performed live by a fantastic five-piece ensemble, and dazzling sets and costumes, this luscious contemporary ballet is a feast for the senses.

Many spectacular performances are on offer over the coming months featuring a diverse range of voices, expressions and styles. On behalf of all of us at NAC Dance, we look forward to seeing you throughout the season as we celebrate Life in Motion

Program

70 minutes – No intermission

Quote

“She’s not a fairytale character, she’s not a literary character. She’s a real woman, and for me, it’s interesting to put her on stage because she’s difficult to pin point. I want to give female dancers real roles, not always the nice roles. Women are complex and it’s nice to show all of these facets. I’m very grateful that I can put this woman, Evita Perón, on stage as a female choreographer.”
– Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Choreographer of Doña Perón

Synopsis

Doña Perón is an explosive portrait of Eva “Evita” Perón, one of the most recognizable, and controversial, women in Argentinian history. The illegitimate daughter of a prosperous farmer, Evita concealed this shameful past as she rose the ranks from dancehall performer to Argentina’s First Lady – all before her untimely death at the age of 33.

Doña Perón brings to light the extremes of power at the forefront of Evita’s life. Her work as an activist and advocate for Argentina’s women and working class raised skepticism as she indulged in the opulence of a high-class life. A voice for the people, or a deceitful actress? Both loved and controversial, we follow the narrative of the iconic figure through her tragic and complex life in the public eye.

Choreographed by internationally renowned Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, in collaboration with Artistic collaborator Nancy Meckler, Doña Perón marks Lopez Ochoa’s first evening-length work for the Company. A symbolic creation where a Latina choreographer reclaims the narrative of the iconic Latina figure and marks the 50th anniversary of the company. Set to music of the inimitable composer Peter Salem, Doña Perón is your opportunity to appreciate the exquisite artistry of Ballet Hispánico with this full-length contemporary ballet.

Funder acknowledgements

MetLife Foundation is an Official Tour Sponsor of Ballet Hispánico. The 2022-2023 Ballet Hispánico National Tour is made possible by JPMorgan Chase, an Official Tour Sponsor.

Transformational funding for Ballet Hispánico is provided by MacKenzie Scott, the Ford Foundation America’s Cultural Treasures program, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Major support is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation, the Miranda Family Fund, the Scherman Foundation, the Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation, the Tatiana Piankova Foundation, the Prospect Hill Foundation, the Mosaic Network and Fund in The New York Community Trust, the Mid Atlantic Arts Regional Resilience Fund, and the Harkness Foundation for Dance.

Support for Doña Perón was made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts with funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. This production was made possible by support from contributors to the Perry Granoff New Works Project.

Artists

  • 274808475-498601361635553-8381567539551984491-n
    Featuring Ballet Hispánico
  • Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
  • eduardo-vilaro
    Artistic Director and CEO of Ballet Hispánico Eduardo Vilaro
  • headshot-petersalem
    Music Composer Peter Salem

Cast and characters

  • Fatima Andere
  • Amir Baldwin
  • Chris Bloom
  • Antonio Cangiano
  • Amanda del Valle
  • Ana Estrada
  • Alex Haquia
  • Paulo Hernandez
  • Cori Lewis
  • Dylan Mclntyre
  • Hugo Pizano-Orozco
  • ​Isabel Robles
  • Gabrielle Sprauve
  • Dandara Veiga
  • Isabella Vergara

Credits

Artistic Director and CEO
Eduardo Vilaro

Choreographer
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa

Artistic Collaborator
Nancy Meckler

Music
Peter Salem

Set Design
Christopher Ash

Lighting + Video Design
Christopher Ash

Artistic Associate & Rehearsal Director
Johan Rivera

Costume Design
Mark Eric

Chief Development & Marketing Officer
Elaine Delgado

Company Manager
Michael Blanco

Production Director
Adrian White

Lighting
Caitlin Brown

Wardrobe Director
Stacey Davila

Stage Manager
Morgan Lemos

NAC Dance Team

  • Executive Producer 
    Cathy Levy
  • Associate Producer 
    Tina Legari
  • Special Projects Coordinator and Assistant to the Executive Producer 
    Mireille Nicholas
  • Company Manager 
    Sophie Anka
  • Education Associate and Teaching Artist 
    Siôned Watkins
  • Technical Director 
    Brian Britton
  • Communications Strategist  
    Julie Gunville
  • Marketing Strategist
    Marie-Chantale Labbé-Jacques