Travesty Doll Play Ballez (after Coppélia) continues Ballez’s mission to radically reimagine the ballet canon. Coppélia was originally performed as a travesty ballet in 1870 in Paris. Ballez brings that his/her/theirstory to light with an entirely trans and non-binary cast, making clear that gender variance and transgression have long been a part of ballet, and that Ballez dancers are its rightful inheritors. This new story ballet focuses on the relationship between the Dolls and their Doll-Maker, meditating on cycles of abuse between teachers and students, on control and freedom, on fake and real, and on perpetually being forced to automate the performance of gender in order to belong... ultimately, these dolls play with mainstream notions of gender until they fall apart.

APAP Showcase at Chelsea Factory: January 11, 6pm & January 12, 1pm

tickets here

PREMIERE- May 24-26, Chelsea Factory, NYC

Choreography: Katy Pyle

Costumes: Karen Boyer
Original Live Score: Lavinia Eloise Bruce & Scott Killian
Lighting Design: Amanda Ringger

Production Stage Manager: Mika Kauffman
Performers: Jules Assue, Cove Barton, Jay Beardsley, MJ Markovitz, Katy Pyle & Arzu Salman

Watch the documentary, TRAVESTY, about the process of making this show, on Past, Present, Future, commissioned by ALL ARTS/WNET/PBS

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This project has been developed with the support of:
a development commission from the Joyce Theater, a documentary film commission from WNET’s All Arts, a technical residency at Baryshnikov Arts Center, a creative residency at Tremper, rehearsal space grant from the Mellon Foundation, grants from Harkness Foundation for Dance and New York State Council on the Arts, the supoort of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and fiscal sponsorship from Brooklyn Arts Exchange.

photos by Yael Malka