The Kaplan New Works Series
Dancing outside of the box
The Kaplan New Works Series returns to be performed for the second time in its new home at the Aronoff Center in the beautiful Jarson-Kaplan Theater, allowing access to a larger audience while maintaining the intimate environment you have grown to know and love during this series.
New Works remains committed to innovation and the celebration of choreographers while showcasing the dancers and spotlighting their strength, athleticism and diversity. This year New Works features three world premieres and one Cincinnati premiere. Long-time collaborator Adam Hougland introduces a brand new solo piece, marking his sixth world premiere for Cincinnati Ballet, as well as presenting the popular All My Favorite People which premiered during Cincinnati Ballet & Over the Rhine Live in 2013. Boston choreographer Viktor Plotnikov will use video technology to discover a visual union of movement and projection. Ma Cong, Resident Choreographer at Tulsa Ballet, began his training with the Beijing Dance Academy and has danced the work of all the acclaimed choreographers today such as Balanchine, Forsythe, Kylián, McMillan and more. Renaissance man Gabriel Gaffney Smith, a composer and choreographer/dancer with BalletMet Columbus, presents the Cincinnati premiere, Detachment Without Reason, a pas de deux set to his own original musical composition.
Highlights:
- Intimate setting
- Cutting-edge choreography
- Five different pieces
- Three world premieres
- One Cincinnati premiere
All My Favorite People and Fellow Traveler: Adam Hougland
eye on pointe taken: Viktor Plotnikov
Mind on the [Re] Wind: Ma Cong
Untitled: Gabriel Gaffney Smith
All My Favorite People : music by Over the Rhine
Fellow Traveler: “Fellow Traveler” by Attacca Quartet
eye on pointe taken: “24 Preludes for Violin and Piano, Op. 46_ XV. Adagio sognando” by Daniel Hope & Jacques Ammon; “Laika’s Journey” by Max Richter
Mind on the [Re] Wind: “The mind on the (Re)Wind” by Ezio Bosso
Untitled: music by Gabriel Gaffney Smith
Cincinnati Ballet Company Dancers
Lighting Design: Ben Gantose
Click to enlarge.
Adam Hougland’s contribution to New Works marks his sixth World Premiere for Cincinnati Ballet.
Viktor Plotnikov’s piece will feature a multimedia experience combining dance with video projections.
Gabriel Gaffney Smith not only choreographed Detachment Without Reason, but also composed the music.
Creating Outside the Box
Choreographers push themselves & dancers during New Works.
We caught up with the choreographers featured during New Works to ask them about their inspirations, the new pieces they are crafting for the stage and what it’s like making something entirely new alongside the Cincinnati Ballet dancers.
Click the navigation boxes or swipe to see more videos.
Adam Hougland’s World Premiere Fellow Traveler
Viktor Plotnikov on the world premiere of eye pointe taken
Adam Hougland on Working with Cincinnati Ballet
Adam Hougland on the return of All My Favorite People
Explore The Kaplan New Works Series
Cincinnati.com: Cincinnati Ballet New Works Choreographers Get Their First Chance
September 11, 2018
David Lyman talked with Victoria Morgan about why she is so “psyched” about this season’s New Works.
Pointe Magazine: Dancers Take On the Role of Choreographer
September 11, 2018
At Cincinnati Ballet’s Kaplan New Works Series, dancers take on the role of choreographer, Pointe Magazine interviewed Taylor Carrasco, David Morse, and Victoria Morgan about this journey.
Local 12: Cincinnati Ballet’s Kaplan New Works Series
September 10, 2018
John Lomax on Local 12’s Good Morning Cincinnati talked with Taylor Carrasco and David Morse about the pieces the world premieres they are choreographing for The Kaplan New Works Series.
Special New Works Offer: Dinner and a Show
September 6, 2018
Cincinnati Ballet is proud to partner again with Arnold’s Bar and Grill for a special New Works package: for two nights only, enjoy dinner and the show for just $60+ fees. That’s like getting dinner FREE! Grab your tickets for September 18 or 19 with promo code NWDINNER1819 and you’re in for a real treat – a special New […]
Fox 19: Cincinnati Ballet New Works
September 5, 2018
Deborah Linz at Fox 19 sat down with Taylor Carrasco and David Morse to talk about the pieces they are choreographing for The Kaplan New Works Series
Fox 19: Cincinnati Ballet Opens New Season Next Week
September 5, 2018
Charisse Gibson at Fox 19 sat down with Taylor Carrasco and David Morse to discuss the upcoming The Kaplan New Works Series on FOX19 NOW Morning News.
New Works Rehearsal Photos
September 4, 2018
Photo gallery from Cincinnati Ballet’s New Works rehearsals.
Cincinnati Enquirer: September a Huge Month on Cincy Stages
September 11, 2017
It’s impressive. When I got here and started working with the dancers, I was blown away by what they can do.” – choreographer Travis Wall
Travis Wall on the Inspiration for “Then… Now”
September 8, 2017
Travis Wall, Artistic Director of Shaping Sound and So You Think You Can Dance star, sat down to tell us about how his mother’s story inspired his upcoming world premiere during New Works.
Travis Wall Brings His Unique Style to Cincinnati Ballet in New Works
September 6, 2017
“I’m very confident in storytelling,” Travis Wall, choreographer and Artistic Director of Shaping Sound Dance Company, said. “Something I can do is create a story with no words and get that across to an audience.” That is exactly what Travis Wall brings to Cincinnati Ballet’s The Kaplan New Works Series September, 14-24 at the Aronoff […]
Special New Works Offer: Dinner and a Show
August 30, 2017
Cincinnati Ballet is proud to partner again with Arnold’s Bar and Grill for a special New Works package: for two nights only, enjoy dinner and the show for just $65.10. That’s like getting dinner FREE! Grab your tickets for September 19 or 20 with promo code ARNOLDS and you’re in for a real treat – a special New […]
The History of New Works
August 29, 2017
Hear from Artistic Director Victoria Morgan on the genesis and impact of New Works on the community as well as the Cincinnati Ballet dancers themselves.
Penny Saunders Creates a World Premiere in New Works
August 28, 2017
“She was said to be as talented a musician and composer as her brother,” says Saunders, “but was not permitted to continue her career in music because she was a woman.” In The Kaplan New Works Series, choreographer Penny Saunders sets out to tell the story of Maria Anna Mozart, a prodigy pianist and […]
New Works Trailer
August 23, 2017
With a focus on innovation, New Works celebrates modern choreographers while showcasing the athleticism, strength, and versatility of our dancers. Featuring four world premieres and including special guest Travis Wall from So You Think You Can Dance.
Cincinnati Ballet Presents The Kaplan New Works Series
August 23, 2017
Celebrating its 13th year, The Kaplan New Work Series opens Cincinnati Ballet’s groundbreaking 2017-2018 Season September 14-24 at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater. The series offers an up-close experience with a variety of exciting world premieres by today’s most innovative choreographers. This year’s program includes special guest Travis Wall, best known for his work on […]
Zack Grubbs Voices New Works Radio Commercial
September 15, 2015
While tuning in to your favorite Cincinnati radio stations have you heard Zack Grubbs in our latest commercial for The Kaplan New Works Series? If not, click play above to listen!
Video and Dance Collide in Plotnikov’s eye on pointe taken
September 9, 2015
Viktor Plotnikov didn’t want to be a choreographer, he was pretty satisfied dancing as a Principal Dancer for Boston Ballet. But the encouragement of friends and family led him to an entirely new career as a full time choreographer. Luckily for us, this change in direction has created eye pointe taken, a ballet featuring not […]
Hougland’s “personal favorite” ballet Returns for New Works
September 9, 2015
Cincinnati Ballet Resident Choreographer Adam Hougland presents two pieces in the 2015-2016 Kaplan New Works Series, including the world premiere of his latest solo piece: Fellow Traveler, and the return of All My Favorite People from Cincinnati Ballet & Over the Rhine Live. We caught up with Adam to ask what it’s like seeing his […]
Adam Hougland on Creating with Cincinnati Ballet
September 9, 2015
Cincinnati Ballet Resident Choreographer Adam Hougland presents two pieces in the 2015-2016 Kaplan New Works Series, including the world premiere of his latest solo piece: Fellow Traveler. Hear his thoughts about creating for New Works and working with Cincinnati Ballet dancers.
Fellow Traveler marks Hougland’s Sixth World Premiere
September 9, 2015
For the 2015-2016 Kaplan New Works Series, Hougland has churned out yet another world premiere for Cincinnati audiences, titled Fellow Traveler. The return of Patric Palkens as Principal Dancer this season made for a perfect pairing with Hougland, leading to the creation of Adam’s sixth world premiere with Cincinnati Ballet.
Dancer Takeover on Instagram!
August 28, 2015
Apprentice Taylor Carrasco takes over Cincinnati Ballet Instagram.
First Glimpse of New Works
August 11, 2015
To launch the 2015 – 2016 Season, Cincinnati Ballet teamed up with photographer Aaron M. Conway to capture the movement and emotion of each performance.
“New Works is about revelations. Not just choreographic revelations. But since they see these dancers in different ways, the guest choreographers who create these new works offer us revelations about the performers themselves.”
The Kaplan New Works Series Sponsors
James A. Miller
Dianne Dunkelman & Peter Schwartz
Dianne & J. David
Rosenberg
Theodore L. Schwartz & Minette Hoffheimer
