Ballet BC have announced that artistic director Emily Molnar has accepted the role of artistic director of Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT), she will assume her position in August 2020.
Molnar will stay with Ballet BC until June 2020 and become part of the search committee for the new artistic director.
Molnar joined Ballet BC in 2009 when the company was near bankruptcy and soon turned the contemporary and classical Canadian dance company fortunes around by winning international recognition. During Molnar’s tenure, Ballet BC toured to venues such as Sadler’s Wells, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Sydney Opera House It has presented Molnar’s own works as well as repertoire by choreographers such as Crystal Pite and Serge Bennathan.
Ballet BC president and board chair, Linda Brown, said: “Public and private funding for Ballet BC has increased tremendously due to the conversation that Emily has commenced and developed about contemporary ballet in Canada. The board, management, dancers and staff will build upon Emily’s work and we are very excited about how the reputation of Ballet BC will be further enhanced as the company transitions to its next chapter under the renewed artistic leadership.”
The dance company was founded in 1986, under Molnar’s direction it was nominated for a 2019 Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production for their tour to Sadler’s Wells in London which featured Crystal Pite’s Solo Echo, Molnar’s 16+ a room and Bill by Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar.
Commenting on her departure, Molnar said: “Ballet BC has been my passion for many years and will always hold a special place in my heart. The company is in a wonderful place, making it a perfect moment for new and inspired artistic leadership.”