February 12 - 15, 2013
Gala - February 16, 2013
7:30pm Founders' Studio, RWB Building
380 Graham Avenue 

Performance admission by silver collection

To purchase Gala Tickets
RWB Customer Service Office 956.2792 

Don’t miss the RWB School’s annual choreographic competition, now in its 23rd year!  Generously sponsored by CIBC, First Steps is one of the highlights of the RWB School year!

Senior students in the School’s Professional Division have the opportunity to choreograph their own works and choose their dancers from among their peers.  They also select the music for their piece and collaborate with the RWB wardrobe and production departments on costume and lighting design.  Any and all dance forms may be presented, such as contemporary/modern dance, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, ballet and more.

School graduate Peter Quanz has choreographed for Russia’s famed Kirov Ballet and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (Luminous; In Tandem) in recent years, but he got his start at First Steps, when he was a student in the School!

Since First Steps began, many of our students have seen their First Steps pieces performed at Ballet in the Park or during the School’s Concert Hour Ballet tours. 

Four performances from February 12 to 15 culminate in a Gala Performance and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, February 16. 

Ten artists of the community volunteer their time to sit as jury members, selecting winners for the following awards:

The CIBC Award for Innovation
Awarded to the choreographer whose work best exemplifies exploration into new and unconventional territory.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Award
Awarded to the choreographer whose work best reflects the artistic style and spirit of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School.

1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Awards
Awarded to the choreographers whose works best demonstrate originality and promise.

The People’s Choice Award
Awarded to the choreographer whose work is voted most popular by audience members.

The Doreen MacDonald Scholarship Award
Awarded to the choreographer showing considerable talent and interest in design.

The Paddy Stone Scholarship
Awarded to the best work in the Jazz, Tap or Musical Theatre genre.

Past jurors include Soprano Monica Huisman, Radio host Ace Burpee, RWB Soloist Yosuke Mino, Artist Diana Thorneycroft, and many others. 

Join us for an exciting evening of dance, premiering 13 new works –  and be sure to vote for your favourite piece!