Complexions Contemporary Ballet

THE EDGE International Arts Season and CAMI Spectrum present four unique performances of Rise by Complexions Contemporary Ballet.

Featuring the music of U2, Rachmaninoff, Billie Holiday, Roy Buchanan.

New York contemporary ballet company Complexions, redefined dance to Auckland audiences in 2007 with their breath-taking premiere season. Their highly anticipated return season of new work is now confirmed this September at the ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre.

"This New York ensemble is an assault on the senses – a delicious assault. They dance like those possessed: classically trained to the fullest of extension, lift, leap and long balance, with a physicality that involves every sparking cell of their extraordinary bodies” – The NZ Herald.

Since the inception of Complexions in 1994, founding Co-Artistic Directors Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson have set over 70 works for the company and toured across the globe with great acclaim. Their philosophy has always encouraged a strong technical foundation, physicality and versatility coupled with an artist’s uniqueness, individuality and passion.

Overflowing with power and speed, Rhoden’s powerful choreography, the company’s 14 technically brilliant and diverse dancers bring together an explosive hybrid of ballet, contemporary dance, jazz and hip-hop styles into one thrilling experience.

In their new Auckland season Rise, Complexions encompasses powerful dynamic ensembles, poignant duets and solos in a mesmerizing program that is guaranteed to dazzle Auckland audiences.

“Mr Rhoden’s choreography was like hot molten lava; flowing with undeniable power. Mr Richardson is one of the great modern dancers of his time… with extraordinary skills.” The New York Times

In an interview last year with US dance writer, Michelle Vellucci, when asked why he thinks Complexions is so good at connecting with audiences Dwight Rhoden says: “The work itself is very eclectic. You may have a performance that begins with Chopin and ends with U2. The movement itself is a mélange of all different types of stuff – there are influences of street dance, but you’ll also see classicism. The dancers dance on pointe and they dance barefoot. There’s that diversity in almost every aspect of the organization. Then to top that off you have a very multicultural cast with people from all different parts of the world and all types of bodies and looks. The typical, skinny ballerina looks isn’t what we go for.”

Make sure you take a breath and prepare yourself for an energy charged night of unrelenting physically stunning dance by Complexions.

Rise program;
Act I
New Work – Title TBA

Act II
Moody Booty Blues – Music by Roy Buchanan
Billy on Billie – Various songs made famous by Billie Holiday (Premiere)
Click – Various house artists (Premiere)

Act III
Rise – Music by U2