Dance Talks | Bespoke - A Conversation on Jiří Kylián

Continuing the long-standing commitment of bringing Jiří Kylián’s work to Houston, mixed repertory program Bespoke featured the Houston Ballet premiere of Kylián’s “Overgrown Path.” Through stimulating humanizing themes, Kylián continues to inspire and stretch dancers artistically and physically. Moderated by Artistic Director Julie Kent, Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM, Principal Karina González and former First Soloist Kelly Myernick discuss Kylián’s importance to the dance world.
0:00 Artistic Director Julie Kent Introduction
0:45 Panel Introduction
3:30 Brief outline of Jiří Kylián’s background
7:13 Brief introduction to Kylián répétiteur Roslyn Anderson
10:52 Julie Kent’s introduction to dancing Jiri’s work
14:48 Artistic Director Stanton Welch’s experience with Kylián’s work
18:23 Principal Karina González’s experience with Kylián’s work
21:08 Former First Soloist Kelly Myernick’s experience with Kylián’s work
23:45 Julie to Stanton: “Churchill Fellowship” and Kylián’s influence
26:50 Kylián as a gamechanger
28:21 Julie to Karina and Kelly: How would you describe this dance?
30:45 Kelly’s experience dancing Soldier’s Mass
34:04 Julie to Karina: “Of all the Kylián ballet’s that you have performed, which is your favorite?”
36:05 Julie to Stanton: what do you think is the most challenging aspect for dancers in Kylián choreography?
37:27 Kelly’s perspective on the most challenging aspect
38:11 Stanton and Julie’s additional thoughts
40:47 Overgrown Path at Houston Ballet
42:05 Julie to Karina: Sharing her experience with life at the moment and this piece
44:57 Audience Q&A: “Along with the dancing, do you also have an idea of how you’d like the lighting to be?”
46:53 Audience Q&A: “How do you capture the essence of a ballet when it is recreated in future generations?”
49:00 Nancy Hendrick, Director of Dance Salad Festival, shares a personal moment
51:36 Kylián’s dance companies
53:09 Stanton talks Overgrown Path documentary
54:10 Audience Q&A: “How many casts are you doing for Overgrown Path?”
57:01 Kelly talks the new generation stepping into these roles
58:15 Audience Q&A: “How do you curate a mixed rep?”
62:49 Conclusion