Ballet Vancouver made its debut performance before a full house at Vancouver Playhouse. The first of a three nights run continuing April 24 & April 25, 2026, After The Rain & Other Works presented a sensational sample of things to come from the fledgling company.
Creative Director, internationally acclaimed choreographer, Joshua Beamish aims to revitalize the city’s access to professional, traditional ballet en pointe with the launch of Ballet Vancouver. The debut program begins with After the Rain, a celebrated two-part work by Christopher Wheeldon, Artistic Associate of The Royal Ballet, whose choreography has never been performed for Vancouver audiences. Originally commissioned for the New York City Ballet, like a sublime serenade set to a simple and enigmatic score by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt this contemporary classic sees Jonatan Lujan, Stephanie Petersen, Benjamin Freemantle, Patrick Frenette, Betsy McBride, Joseph Markey & SunMi Park perform.
After an intermission, Wen Wei Wang’s Swan, first danced by Ballet BC, is a reimaging of one of ballet’s iconic Swan Lake and The Dying Swan seeing the enduring figures through a lens of fragility, transformation, and elegance. Beautifully performed by Benjamin Freemantle & Julian Hunt, Patrick Frenette & Stephanie Petersen, Joseph Markey & SunMi Park.
Rounding out the second act is Redemption by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, one of the most in demand choreographers. A solo work of solitude and penance through the journey of a fallen angel is powerfully performed by Joseph Markey.
Photo: David Cooper
The evening concludes with the world premiere of Joshua Beamish’s co-creation with Gitxsan fashion designer Yolonda Skelton Jackson. Winterbourne is a ballet inspired by these lands made in harmony with Indigenous values and perspectives. Ariana Barr, Bryn Bridgen, Juan Duarte, Patrick Frenette, Tristan Ghostkeeper, Julian Hunt, Allison Lang, Jonatan Lujan, Joseph Markey, Betsy McBride, SunMi Park, Stephanie Petersen, Keilani Elizabeth Rose perform to music by Cree composer Cris Derksen, supporting the work that respects the environment and sustainability, matching Skelton Jackson’s own design ethos tying an ecological outlook with works inspired by the stories and history of her Gitxsan culture.
Be tempted by a taste of great things to come from Ballet Vancouver with its debut mixed program, After The Rain & Other Works, continuing April 24 & April 25, 2026 at Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton Street
Ballet Vancouver’s inaugural season begins in the fall with Balanchine’s Apollo and Other Works, September 11-12, 2026. Classical Masters comes in February 11-13, 2027 with Joshua Beamish’s @giselle May 13-15, 2027. All performances take place at Vancouver Playhouse. Visit balletvancouver.com for more details on the season and subscription information.