Ballet Vancouver, the city’s newest professional ballet company, presents its inaugural program After the Rain & Other Works, on stage April 23–25, 2026 at the Vancouver Playhouse. Featuring dancers from American Ballet Theatre alongside some of Canada’s finest artists, the program celebrates Vancouver’s global identity and its rich contributions to the art form—with the Vancouver premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s After the Rain, marking the first time the acclaimed Royal Ballet Artistic Associate’s work has ever been performed for Vancouver audiences; the return of two works that made their world premieres in the city—Wen Wei Wang’s Swan and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Redemption; and the world premiere of Winterbourne, co-created by Ballet Vancouver’s Artistic Director Joshua Beamish and Gitxsan Indigenous fashion designer Yolonda Skelton.
“We are proud to present a thrilling mixed program that celebrates the diversity of our community, showcasing works by some of the most accomplished and recognized choreographers in the ballet world today,” says Beamish. “Informed by a common thread of renewal and transformation, all four works speak to the innovation and impact of Vancouver: Wheeldon’s After the Rain relates to our seasonal weather changes and climate, Ochoa’s Redemption and Wang’s Swan originally premiered to Vancouver audiences, and my new work with Yolonda Skelton, Winterbourne, imagines a version of ballet that could only be created in this place and on these lands, inviting genuine collaboration between ballet and Indigenous values and perspectives. Together, these works honour ballet’s legacy, while celebrating its role as a living, evolving art form.”
The program opens with Christopher Wheeldon’s After the Rain, a two-part ballet renowned for its emotional depth and elegant simplicity, set to a minimalist score by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. Commissioned by the New York City Ballet in 2005, the work was first performed by ballet superstar and Ballet Vancouver Artistic Advisory committee member Wendy Whelan. The ballet has since been performed by major companies around the world, and is particularly beloved for the pas de deux’s intimate portrayal of love and vulnerability. The Vancouver premiere will feature (Apr 23 + 24) Jonatan Lujan (Met Opera Ballet, Ballet Argentino, Ballet Zurich) and Stephanie Petersen (formerly of American Ballet Theatre) with returning local dancers Benjamin Freemantle (who trained at Port Moody’s Caulfield School of Dance, formerly of San Francisco Ballet) and Patrick Frenette (who trained at Vancouver’s Goh Ballet, now with American Ballet Theatre), Betsy McBride (American Ballet Theatre, and SunMi Park (American Ballet Theatre); and (Apr 25) Freemantle and McBride with Frenette, Joseph Markey (American Ballet Theatre), Park and Petersen. Wheeldon, currently serving as Artistic Associate of The Royal Ballet, is widely regarded as one of the most gifted and sought-after choreographers of his generation. After the Rain made its world premiere with the New York City Ballet in 2005, marking a defining moment in neoclassical ballet that continues to resonate with audiences and companies around the globe.
Following on the program are reprisals of two works—both premiering in Vancouver. Wen Wei Wang’s Swan is a contemporary ballet inspired by one of ballet’s most iconic works, Swan Lake. Commissioned by Ballet BC in 2016, Swan is reimagined through a modern lens, blending classical ballet vocabulary with contemporary movement, exploring themes of poise and grace. The piece also features a signature soundscape of Swan Lake’s original Tchaikovsky score with Camille Saint-Sæns’ “The Swan,” and electronic sound design, composed by Sammy Chien. The work will showcase six dancers: Freemantle and Hunt, Frenette and Petersen, Markey and Park. Based in Vancouver, Wang has choreographed works for major ballet companies across Canada, as well as his eponymous company, Wen Wei Dance. He also served as Artistic Director for Ballet Edmonton from 2018 to 2024.
Anabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Redemption will have its live Vancouver premiere as part of Ballet Vancouver’s mixed program, having previously premiered digitally in 2021 as part of the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival. A contemplative solo work, Redemption explores themes of solitude and penance through the journey of a fallen angel. Originated by Ballet Vancouver’s own Beamish, the piece will be performed by (Apr 23 & 24): Markey and (Apr 25): Hunt. Ochoa is a Belgian-Colombian choreographer, based in Amsterdam. Her body of work spans more than 100 ballets created for more than 80 dance companies worldwide, including Dutch National Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, English National Ballet, New York City Ballet, Queensland Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, and more. She is currently the Artist-in-Residence at Ballet Dortmund in Germany.
The program will conclude with the world premiere of Beamish and Skelton’s Winterbourne, which centres a harmonious, thoughtful integration of Indigenous design and ballet. Set to a score by Cree composer Cris Derksen, Winterbourne will be performed by 12 local and international artists—and explores the interconnectedness of all living things, embodied through Beamish’s choreography with visual design by Skelton. A Gitxsan Indigenous fashion designer, Skelton blends traditional Northwest Coast artistic traditions with contemporary fashion, whose pieces draw inspiration from traditional patterns, symbols, and narratives that resonate with her cultural background. With a deep respect for the environment and a commitment to sustainability, Skelton has established an ethos that not only prioritizes ecological integrity but also celebrates the heritage and traditions of her Indigenous roots.
Ballet Vancouver will host pre-show talks ahead of all three performances in the upper lobby of the Vancouver Playhouse at 6:45pm. Opening night, Thursday, April 23, will feature Joshua Beamish & Heather Ogden, The National Ballet of Canada Principal Dancer and Ballet Vancouver Artistic Advisory Committee Member; Friday, April 24 will feature Joshua Beamish & Yolonda Skelton; and Saturday, April 25 will feature Joshua Beamish & Wen Wei Wang.
For tickets and more information, visit balletvancouver.com
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About Ballet Vancouver (balletvancouver.com)
Ballet Vancouver Performance Series is a non-profit charitable dance company founded in 2025 and based in Vancouver. The primary mandate of the company is to revitalize Vancouver’s access to professional classical, neoclassical, and narrative ballet. Ballet Vancouver will present multiple home performances annually, in addition to national and international touring. The company’s programming will encompass both homecoming performances by locally trained ballet stars, coupled with appearances by renowned international ballet artists and ballet companies. Emerging, diverse local talent will be fostered through outreach programs and choreographic development initiatives.
Ballet Vancouver Artistic Director Joshua Beamish is a leading Canadian and international voice in ballet. He collaborated with New York City Ballet Associate Artistic Director, Wendy Whelan, for Restless Creature and created the debut commissions of ABT Principal Herman Cornejo’s Dance Live and New York City Ballet Principal Ashley Bouder’s The Ashley Bouder Project. His recent presentations include Lincoln Center, BAM Next Wave, The Joyce Theater, The Guggenheim Museum, and the Royal Opera House/London.
As the Artistic Director of Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY for the past 20 years, key highlights include: the collaboration with Cirque du Soleil for presentation at World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, performing the Closing Gala of the Canadian Cultural Pavilion, and touring an ensemble of 24 Vancouver-based artists for a commissioned presentation at Bangkok International Festival for Dance & Music/Bangkok Opera House. In 2019, the company presented the world premiere of Joshua Beamish’s @giselle at Vancouver Playhouse (a modernized and technology-driven interpretation of the beloved ballet Giselle).
Feature image: Ballet Vancouver Bryn Bridgen Photo by David Cooper