Asian American Ballet Project’s Intersections

Asian American Ballet Project’s Intersections is a mixed bill of four uniquely Asian American ballets that explore connections between Asia and America, bridging the cultural divide. Artistic Director, Beth Mochizuki has assembled four international choreographers to set ballets and choreograph world premieres.

“La Bayadere: a Desi Retelling” features choreography by renowned Kuchipudi dancer Yamini Kalluri with classical staging by Mochizuki. Harvard student Adrienne Chan has choreographed “Lon Po Po,” a Chinese Little Red Riding Hood tale. Critically acclaimed musician Yoona Kim joins AABP’s trio of transracial adoptees: dancer Mollie Petrizzo, choreographer Zoe Mueller, and artist Kathy Eow in a reimagining of Eow’s spoken word piece “Reclamation.” Kazakh-born Zhanat Baidaralin, whose choreography credits include the Moscow Olympics, will close out the show with his ballet “On the Way” set to his own original composition.

The performances take place at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts located at 527 Tremont Street in Boston, MA on June 29th and 30th. Tickets are reserved seating. The performance will run approximately 75 minutes and will include one intermission. The June 29th 2pm matinee is the Asian American Community Performance. Asian American community members can access Pay-What-You-Wish pricing. All Access Pass tickets include priority seating to the June 29th 7pm performance, a post-show talk-back with AABP artists, and a reception in the lobby including hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

After the June 30th 2pm matinee AABP will host a talk-back with the cast and choreographer of “Reclamation.”

Founded in 2022, AABP is the very first Asian American ballet company, ever. Their mission is to present Asian American dancers on stage together in all Asian American productions. They aim to tell stories from their unique perspectives and transform how audiences see Asian Americans in performance, from unexpected to accepted.

Beth Mochizuki is a biracial Asian American from Clovis, California. She studied ballet under Diane Mosier of New England Civic Ballet. Beth graduated from Tufts University in 2003, earning a BA in American Studies with a focus on Performance and Representation and highest thesis honors for her paper The Asian American Experience in Ballet. Beth danced professionally for 20 years at Ballet Rhode Island, Jose Mateo’s Ballet Theatre, Ithaca Ballet, and State Street Ballet. She also teaches ballet and is currently the Ballet Division Coordinator at Tony Williams Dance Center. Beth was the Ballet Master and later the Assistant Director of the Urban Nutcracker from 2013-2021. She founded the Asian American Ballet Project in 2022.

For more information and to purchase tickets to Asian American Ballet Project’s Intersections click here.

Asian American Ballet Project’s Intersections, Image credit AABP