Joyce Theater Selects Pacific Northwest Ballet for Nureyev Prize

The Joyce Theater Foundation today announced the selection of Pacific Northwest Ballet as its second recipient of The Rudolf Nureyev Prize for New Dance, a $25,000 commissioning grant established for the purpose of creating new works from large ballet companies, many of whom rarely perform in New York. The prize allows companies accustomed to performing large scale work to create new pieces for a smaller venue. In turn, the award provides audiences with the opportunity to experience these companies in the Joyce's intimate setting.

Granting this award is the second time that The Joyce has made it possible for Pacific Northwest Ballet to create new work; the first occurred nearly four years ago when the company received a Joyce 25th Anniversary commissioning grant. Using the Joyce commissioning grant as a model, The Rudolf Nureyev Foundation developed the concept for its award.

Linda Shelton, Executive Director of The Joyce Theater, presented The Rudolf Nureyev Prize for New Dance to Peter Boal, Artistic Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet, in Seattle on March 16, 2012. The award will also be presented to Peter Boal at The Joyce Theater's 2012 Spring Gala on April 4 at the David H. Koch Theater. At its Gala, The Joyce will also honor The Boeing Company with its 2012 Award for Corporate Philanthropy.

Pacific Northwest Ballet will use the award to create a new work by Alejandro Cerrudo, resident choreographer for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, which will make its New York premiere at The Joyce during its 2013/14 season. "This award is the kind of stuff Artistic Directors' dreams are made of," says Peter Boal. "Funding for premieres is a constant challenge and The Joyce and The Rudolf Nureyev Foundation have just given us a green light, making one more dream one step closer to reality. We are grateful for and thrilled with this opportunity."

Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the

United States, was founded in 1972. In 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The Company of 46 dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed-repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States. Under the direction of Peter Boal, Pacific Northwest Ballet has continued to expand and diversify its repertory to include works by Ulysses Dove, Marco Goecke, Jiri Kylian, Edwaard Liang, Susan Marshall, Benjamin Millepied, Mark Morris, Victor Quijada, Susan Stroman, Twyla Tharp, Christopher Wheeldon, Alexei Ratmansky, and others.