‘Other Voices’ Make Their Move on State Street

State Street Ballet closes out its 2023-24 season with “Other Voices,” a contemporary rep program that takes a sharp turn from its last production, March’s tried-and-true classical ballet take on Cinderella. Aimed at exploring experimental idioms, “Other Voices,” which performs May 10-11 at the Lobero, showcases choreographers pushing ballet’s boundaries and the company dancers’ limits through a dynamic variety of cutting-edge dance. The program features world premieres from three choreographers – Nilas Martins, Royce Zackery and Carpinteria’s own Nicole Powell of Santa Barbara Dance Theater – whose works have never before graced the stage in Santa Barbara. Also featured will be a restaging of “As We Always Have” by Laurie Eisenhower and “Common Ground” by Edgar Zendejas.

“It’s going to really challenge our dancers to move in more contemporary ways than they’ve ever done before,” said Cecily MacDougall, State Street’s Executive Director, and Founder/Director of its Library Dances educational outreach program. “It’s an evening of dynamic contemporary style dance mixed with some really poignant moments.” 

MacDougall said she caught an early rehearsal of one of the pieces back in March and was impressed with what she saw. 

“The dancers are really going for broke. It’s the kind of dancing you’ve never seen from our company before. Audiences are going to be on the edge of their seats all night.” 

Observers of Saturday night’s show can get a little more insight into the movement choices, as choreographers Martins, Zackery, and Powell will participate in a discussion about the making of their world-premiere pieces following the performance. Visit www.lobero.org/events/ssb-23-24-other-voices or www.statestreetballet.com.