Custom curated for Cincinnati audiences, Director’s Choice celebrates three of the most talented contemporary female choreographers today and features a world premiere by Jennifer Archibald! “When we think of dance we so often assume it is a female-oriented profession. But the truth is women are significantly underrepresented in the choreographic and leadership realms of professional ballet. There are many deserving women choreographers with bold and unique voices whose work rarely sees the stage. My hope is that in some grassroots way, as a prominent midrange ballet company, we can influence the future of women leadership in our art form.”  – Victoria Morgan World PremiereChoreography: Jennifer ArchibaldJennifer Archibald, the founder and artistic director of New York City's acclaimed Arch Dance Company, pulls from a variety of influences to boldly and seamlessly infuse ballet with nuances of hip hop. This combination of hip hop with classical aesthetic in movement greatly influences her musical scores, which she often custom engineers to include an assortment of compositions. Described as “…voluptuous…fiery…sensual…” by the Cincinnati Enquirer, her brilliant piece Sit was met with reverence and awe by Cincinnati audiences last season as part of The Kaplan New Works Series. Archibald returns with a world premiere piece, choreographed exclusively for Cincinnati Ballet. Cylindrical ShadowsChoreography: Anabelle Lopez OchoaMusic: Johann Sebastian Bach, Henry Purcell, David van BouwelAnnabelle Lopez Ochoa created Cylindrical Shadows after the loss of a close friend, in exploration of the themes of life and death. Her choreography moves through darkness to a place of peace and hope, revealing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy. According to Lopez, “There is no difference between life and death; they are not opposites, as we are taught to believe. They are both a part of a single continuum, the continuum of life.” A Solo in 9 PartsChoreography: Jessica LangMusic: Antonio VivaldiJessica Lang is the founder of New York City based dance company Jessica Lang Dance (JLD). Her Solo in 9 Parts is raw, modern and refreshingly stripped-down. Featuring nine performers on a bare stage and set to a Vivaldi violin concerto, Lang’s piece is beautifully and ingeniously crafted to showcase the true talent and athleticism of the dancers. “...a delight to eye, ear, and heart.” - Mike Dunham, Anchorage Daily News HabitualChoreography: Heather BrittMusic: Gabriel Gaffney SmithBack by popular demand, Heather Britt’s tense and sensuous pas de deux returns after debuting in the 2013 Kaplan New Works Series. Habitual is a duet about feeling stuck and the attraction that we have as humans to repeat what is familiar. Britt is the creator and director of the energetic and popular DANCEFIX (formerly Rhythm and Motion), and her work has been featured many times in The Kaplan New Works Series. She has established a devoted following with Cincinnati audiences as her choreography exudes an energy of fearless confidence and innovation, anticipated year after year. “Britt and her dancers infuse the work with a level of intimacy we rarely see onstage. Their faces and bodies press against one another with an urgency that is mesmerizing, giving “Habitual” a heady mix of desperation and passion that verges on the dangerous.” –David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer