Company dancers took on choreography, filmmaking and more in a showcase of what comes after the stage.

Most dance performances showcase one style, one choreographer and a handful of featured dancers. Dancers’ Choice invited audiences into the process of creation and offered a peek at what comes next in a dancer’s career.

Boulder Ballet’s program, in its third year, gave company dancers a chance to step outside their comfort zone by taking on roles such as choreographer, costume designer and speaker. It was a unique opportunity that let dancers explore potential paths after their performing careers wind down.

The evening highlighted Boulder Ballet’s range — company dancers effectively took on multiple roles across disciplines.

A scene from ‘Dancers’ Choice’ at Boulder Ballet. | Photo: Amanda Tipton Photography

Joy and contemplation

Some pieces, like “The Bug,” choreographed by Philip Perez and set to “The Bug” by Tommy Emmanuel, were joyful and light-hearted. The effect was amplified by the uplifting energy radiating from dancers Nic Bierwagen and Julia Meister throughout the evening. Other pieces, like “Perdono,” choreographed by Sydney Caggiano, were slow and contemplative. Forgiveness stretched through Lucia Lorenzo’s nearly perfect lines and Craig Bushman’s moody lighting.

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Nic Bierwagen’s “Limerent” broke the mold by moving the performance on screen. This film, shot by Bierwagen, followed a flirtatious-turned-tumultuous pas de deux performed by Philip Perez and Lucia Lorenzo. The film was well shot and used mood-enhancing effects, including a grainy bar scene and an ethereal trail pursuit, to draw us in. Unfortunately, the shots cropped out the dancers’ lower limbs, which was frustrating for dance fans.

Lucia Lorenzo in ‘Perdono.’ | Photo: Amanda Tipton Photography

A more reflective second half

The second half tugged the audience into an even more reflective space. Roan Zaragoza’s “Waiting Room,” created in collaboration with dancer Erin Blair, was a gentle tribute to Zaragoza’s grandparents. Benjamin Rabe’s “BegIN AgaIN” invited us to consider how “we collectively give grace to others to find a new beginning.” In Rabe’s creation, lead dancers Sarah MacGregor and Roan Zaragoza exuded quiet contemplation and connection, while Laurie Clark’s ensemble work felt calming.

“Apollo & Daphne,” a pas de deux by Ben Needham-Wood, staged by Lucia Lorenzo, was technically stunning. Inspired by Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s sculpture “Apollo and Daphne,” the work saw dancers Sydney Caggiano and Michael Mengden skillfully embody the crisp lines of finely chiseled figures. The score, Arvo Pärt’s “Spiegel im Spiegel,” was delicate and ethereal, lending itself to a more tender interpretation of the myth than is usually told.

Dancers’ Choice concluded with an ambitious piece by guest choreographer Morgan Sicklick, whom dance fans will recognize from the Wonderbound stage. Through drawn-out movements, “Kneaded Enough” intertwined the concepts of sticky dough and family legacy.

Dancers’ Choice was a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse, showing that Boulder Ballet’s company wasn’t only a group of capable dancers with incredible range, but also a cohort with talents that will help them extend their creative careers beyond their time on stage.