Dutch National Ballet

In conversation with Theresa Ruth Howard

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Dates

9 October 2024

Location

Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Studio Boekman

Running time

1:00, geen pauze

Tickets

From € 15

What is the ballet world’s position at the moment as regards diversity and inclusion? How ‘far’ are we in that regard at Dutch National Ballet? What needs to change? And what do young dancers in our company think about it? On Wednesday 9 October, the American dancer, teacher and writer Theresa Ruth Howard will discuss these questions with dancers from Dutch National Ballet and the Junior Company, and with the audience as well. The main goal of this intimate and open exchange of views is to make progress, rather than to provide answers. Because, in the words of Ernst Meisner, Associate Director of Talent Development at Dutch National Ballet, “In this rapidly changing society, we may not always find clear answers, but moving forward is something we must do, want to do and will do.”

The programme In conversation with Theresa Ruth Howard is taking place during Black Achievement Month. The conversation will be held in English.

Solo by Alexander Álvarez Silvestre

Junior Company dancer Alexander Álvarez Silvestre will present his latest solo Intro during the program. In this work, which he created for the young choreographers’ programme New Moves, Alexander expresses his experience of the ballet world and draws attention to the things he’d like to see changed. Alexander previously created the intriguing solo Hollow, with which he reached the finals of the Young Creation Award 2024.

After his performance, Alexander will join dancers from Dutch National Ballet for the conversation with Theresa Ruth Howard.

Theresa Ruth Howard

Theresa Ruth Howard is an American dancer, journalist and cultural historian who is known for her work in the field of diversity and inclusion in the ballet world. As a former dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem and Armitage Gone! Dance, she combines her artistic experience with a strong sense of social justice.
Howard is the founder of Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet (MoBBallet), an online platform that celebrates and documents black dancers’ contributions to the ballet world. As a journalist, she has also written for various dance magazines and is a regular correspondent with Dance Magazine.

In her work, Howard actively promotes the creation of greater representation and equality in the performing arts. In 2017, for instance, she was a keynote speaker at Dutch National Ballet’s Positioning Ballet conference, where she argued passionately for openness, diversity and accountability. Following this, she also led several working sessions with dancers and staff from both Dutch National Ballet and the Dutch National Ballet Academy.