Pacific Northwest Ballet Artistic Director Peter Boal announced Alejandro Cerrudo as the first resident choreographer in the company’s 47-year history. Cerrudo’s One Thousand Pieces will have its PNB premiere this March.
Seattle audiences have grown more and more enthusiastic about Cerrudo’s work over the past five years as he has introduced three pieces into PNB’s repertory; One Thousand Pieces will be his fourth. His previous pieces include Memory Glow, which had its world premiere at PNB in 2014; Little mortal jump, which had its PNB premiere in 2016 and returned again in 2018; and Silent Ghost, which premiered to PNB audiences in 2018.
Cerrudo’s residency will last three years, during which time he will choreograph two world premieres, restage two repertory works for the company, and one for the school. The residency will also give Cerrudo the opportunity to mentor fellow choreographers within PNB. This will not be Cerrudo’s first experience in this position; in 2008 he became Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s first resident choreographer, a position he held for ten years.
Artistic Director Peter Boal expanded on his decision to name a resident choreographer for the first time in company history, stating, “Each time Alejandro has come to PNB, the connection between choreographer and dancers deepens. Inspiration fills the room. With this appointment, we can channel this inspiration into new creations, repertory additions, and multiple opportunities to collaborate with and get to know one of the great creative forces working in dance today.”
One Thousand Pieces will run March 13–22 at McCaw Hall. The mixed-bill includes Cerrudo’s One Thousand Pieces and David Dawson’s Empire Noir. Tickets are available on Pacific Northwest Ballet’s website.