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