Oregon Ballet Theatre Brings Dance to All of Portland with Newly Launched OBT MOVES

Oregon Ballet Theatre is presenting its 2020/21 season, titled OBT MOVES reflecting the company’s movement out of traditional theaters and mode of performance, to locations throughout Portland, offering rare behind-the-scenes access revealing what ballet is, and what it can be. The initiative will feature a range of activities including pop-up performances, demonstrations and classes presented by OBT company dancers, students and teaching artists.

OBT MOVES events will begin this week and will be produced in partnership with a diverse group of local organization including Zidell Yards, OMSI, Hacienda Community Development Corporation, and Portland Public Schools, among others.

“At a time when traditional live performance isn’t possible, OBT is not standing by, but rising up!” says OBT artistic director Kevin Irving.

“We are dedicating our resources to become a better ballet by connecting more deeply with our community.”

The first program will launch on Sept. 8, with a month of free, week-long outdoor OBT residencies to rotate through four locations in the Portland metro area. The focus of these residencies, and expansion of the popular OBT Exposed series, held for years in the Park Blocks of downtown Portland, is to share with the public the work of the professional dancer. OBT company members who have not been able to exercise or rehearse in the studio since March are getting back in shape and sharing with the community the tough road they face to return to performance-ready condition.

The kickoff event will be at South Waterfront neighborhood. There are no formal performances or events and therefore no need to make a reservation. This is an exclusive, behind the scenes experience of dancer training, the rituals seldom shared with the public, as the company takes its first steps returning to work.