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Shaking it up: Peter Boal brings his distinctive vision to PNB's repertoire and profile.

Article Excerpt
Since taking over the leadership of Pacific Northwest Ballet, Peter Boal has heaped challenge upon challenge on the dancers. He has added new repertoire, more performances, and more touring. Rehearsals are now shorter and more intense, and company class is shaved by 15 minutes. He has introduced works by Jerome Robbins, Ulysses Dove, and Twyla Tharp, as well as Seattle natives Mark Morris and Robert Joffrey. He brought in dance makers who don't usually work for ballet companies like Susan Marshall and Rubberbandance's Victor Quijada (See "Minds in Motion," page 46). And of course, there is more Balanchine.

How are the dancers faring with these heightened demands? Principal Noelani Pantastico, known for her luscious movement quality, says, "I had to grow up and take responsibility for my dancing and muster up the confidence, all on my own." Corps member James Moore, who performed Marco Goecke's strange and bracing solo Mopey, says about Boal, "I totally trust his vision and how he sees the future of this company. You're exposed to a lot here that you wouldn't be in other places. He...

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