MEMPHIS, TENN. (February 10, 2016) ­– – – Ballet Memphis presents three original works in its winter mixed-repertory show, Places, opening Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, at Playhouse on the Square. The show will run February 19-21 for four performances.    

Places is a new series for Ballet Memphis, inspired by the many meanings of the word ‘place.’ Artistic Associate Steven McMahon curated this show and named each of the three works after a place in time: Past, Present and Future. McMahon then selected choreographers whose previous works fit a specific concept of time. Ballet Memphis plans three total “chapters” in this series, with the next being in February 2017.   

“I find the concept of ‘place’ to be a very rich topic from which to mine,” McMahon said. “It can mean an actual location. It can be a moment in time. It can be where you are in life. I think it’s a fascinating topic to explore through dance, literally and physically.”   

The Sweet Boy Slide by Joshua L. Peugh. Dallas-based choreographer Peugh, in his first commission for Ballet Memphis, took on “past” in this work that is rooted in nostalgia and feeling. Created using the Stax catalog as a backdrop, The Sweet Boy Slide gave Peugh a chance to explore the iconic Memphis sound. Costumes by Bruce Bui.   

Glory by Jennifer Archibald. Archibald, the founder and artistic director of New York City-based dance company ARCH Dance Company, is a graduate of The Alvin Ailey School where she studied with McMahon, also a graduate. Glory, a work about the present place, explores how we look at and treat each other in the world today. Costumes by Bruce Bui.   

Elapse by Gabrielle Lamb. Elapse marks the second commission for Ballet Memphis and Lamb’s third time working with the Company. In working with “future,” Lamb works to bring a heightened awareness of time, and to describe a future where every minute counts. Costumes by Christine Darch.   

Lighting for the program designed by Helena Kuuka.   

Places February 19-21, 2016 Playhouse on the Square 66 South Cooper Memphis, TN 38104 Tickets: $10, $22, $43, $72 Group rates available. www.balletmemphis.org 901-737-7322 

Friday, February 19 at 8pm Saturday, February 20 at 2pm (Community Pay-What-You-Can Day. Advanced reservations/purchase by phone to Ballet Memphis Box Office required. $5 minimum for credit cards.) Saturday, February 20 at 8pm Sunday, February 21 at 2pm   

Other events:   

Free spark pre-show discussion with the choreographers on Friday, Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Playhouse Café. Join moderator Christopher Blank with WKNO-FM’s Performance Club for a pre-show discussion with Jennifer Archibald, Gabrielle Lamb and Joshua Peugh on what it meant to create Places. Wine and snacks provided; the pre-show talk (which will begin by 6:45pm) is free but a ticket is required to attend the performance at 8pm. Presented by Ballet Memphis’ spark series of community conversations in partnership with WKNO-FM’s Performance Club.