Anastasia Report 2017:18

Anastasia
2017/18

Canada’s Ballet Jörgen is indebted to The Michael Young Family Foundation
for their extraordinary financial support in making the creation of Anastasia possible.
In 2017/18 Canada’s Ballet Jörgen celebrated 30 years
of bringing dance to Canadians.
Additional funding for Anastasia was generously provided by
The original score for Anastasia was made possible with the support of
The John D. McKellar Charitable Foundation

Anastasia
Canada’s Ballet Jörgen’s 30th anniversary season
featured the full-length ballet, Anastasia, opening
in Geneva, New York on September 3, 2017 and
concluding in Richmond Hill, Ontario on April 30,
2018.
Anastasia was performed coast to coast to critical
acclaim helping ensure programming into every
Canadian province during CBJ’s anniversary season.
The 2017/18 production of Anastasia, at the Betty
Oliphant Theatre, was filmed for world-wide release.
Anastasia is an original ballet developed by an all-
Canadian Creative Team.
CHOREOGRAPHY & SYNOPSIS: Bengt Jörgen
COMPOSER: Ivan Barbotin
SET & COSTUME DESIGN: Sue LePage
LIGHTING DESIGN: Bonnie Beecher
STAGE DIRECTION: Heinar Piller
ADDITIONAL SYNOPSIS & CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT: Clea Iveson & Heinar Piller
Saniya Abilmajineva & Gustavo Hernandez during the Chilliwack, BC stage rehearsal. Photo by Doug Morley.

Anastasia breathes new life into a century-old story,
modernizing the tale with entrancing contemporary ballet,
performed by a stellar cast... skip the 1956, 1997 & 2018
movie adaptations, and go see the ballet if you ever get the chance.”
~ The Telegram St. John’s, NL
Digital Recording for
1 World-Wide Release
School & Library
39 Presentations
46
Public
Performances
“Thank you so much for this opportunity to be a part of
such a beautiful ballet performance, take part in
TV interviews and just to be immersed in the professional
dance world. Emma, now more than ever, has her
heart set on trying to become a professional dancer.
We love CBJ!”
~ Lynsey Strus, LP Parent, Saskatoon, SK
Communities
50 Reached
227
Community &
Education Events
“The music, dancing, costumes,
sets & lighting were brilliant last night
100% 2 thumbs up...well done.”
~ Gander Arts and Culture Centre
Local Participants
356 Performed
Total People
Reached 26,647
“Absolutely amazing show! The talent is fantastic and
they really make you feel the emotion of the story.
Looking forward to next year’s show!”
~ Performance Attendee
Taylor Gill as Anastasia. Photo by Jim Orgill.

“Blown away not only by the
immense production value,
genius use of space, innovative
set design and time-period
costuming, I was also highly
impressed by the dancers’
acrobatic abilities, and how
quietly they leapt and bounded
around the stage, effortlessly
rolling their weight from heel
to toe, often performing on
pointe.”
“The most
hauntingly beautiful
thing to experience...
...heart wrenching.”
~ Performance Attendee, Guelph, ON
~ The Telegram St. John’s, NL
“I was in awe of the production this weekend. The choreography
and creation so expressive and brilliantly weaved, technical precision
and performance sublime. The performance was 1st class.
Thank you for allowing our students to have such a wonderful
learning opportunity and for our older ones to have the privilege to
join company class. Much appreciation and loved having you here
giving inspiration for our students to aspire to.”
~ Astrid Sherman, Pro Arté Centre
Director, Professional Training Programs, CatchingART & Pro Arté, North Vancouver
Daniel Da Silva during the Milton, ON dress rehearsal. Photo by Lawrence Ho.
Gustavo Hernandez during the Chilliwack, BC stage rehearsal. Photo by Doug Morley.

“We believe every Canadian
no matter where they live should
have affordable access to highquality
dance. For 30 years we
at Canada’s Ballet Jörgen have
lived this vision & we are proud
of the work we are doing.”
~ Bengt Jörgen, Artistic Director
Canada’s Ballet Jörgen & George Brown Dance
“Beautiful story, beautiful
dancing...from the West
Coast all the way across
Canada to the East Coast!
Thank you, Canada’s
Ballet Jörgen!”
~ Performance Attendee
Taylor Gill & Adrián Ramírez Juárez. Photo by Talon Gillis.

2017/18 Anastasia Programming Supporters
National Presenting Partner Touring Support Toronto Support
Atlantic Youth
Education Partner
RBC Emerging Artist Project
Education Partner
Travel Partner
Newfoundland Support
The Honourable
Margaret Norrie McCain
We thank Aeroplan for its ongoing
support through the Aeroplan
Member Donation Program
Programming Partner
The Bennett Family
Foundation
Canada’s Ballet Jörgen
George Brown College, Casa Loma Campus
160 Kendal Avenue, Building C, Room 126
Toronto, ON M5R 1M3
Tel: 416-961-4725 E-mail: info@balletjorgen.ca
canadasballetjorgen.ca
Halifax | Hamilton | Ottawa | Toronto | Waterloo Region | and across Canada
Registered Charitable # 118798586RR0001
Cover: Taylor Gill & Adrián Ramírez Juárez. This page: Annelie Liliemark. Photos by Talon Gillis.