Ballet Ouest celebrates 25 years

Ballet Ouest’s distinguished history has been punctuated by a series of milestones since the professional company surfaced a quarter century ago. “It’s been quite a journey,” reflected founder and artistic director Margaret Mehuys. “When we started we wanted to do a very modest, small-scale production of The Nutcracker, which in the early years was staged in West Island high schools,” the Beaconsfield resident recalled, adding a core group of parent volunteers were instrumental in making it happen.

The troupe went on to mount adaptations from the repertoire of Coppelia and Sleeping Beauty, and in the early 1990s moved its popular annual performances of The Nutcracker to the Pierre Peladeau Centre, “which was a big, scary jump; it’s been our home theatre ever since,” Mehuys said.

Twenty-five years later, Tchaikovsky’s Christmas classic has been seen by over 200,000 people in two provinces and two countries. “The next big thing was establishing Danse Mobile – taking ballet into elementary schools. But we really jumped off the deep end when we opened our dance centre in Pointe Claire in 2005,” she said, adding it was a dream fulfilled.

All of these accomplishments have been realized without government financial assistance. “We’ve done it all on our own. It has been an ongoing struggle just to survive.”

Since the onset, the non-profit troupe’s motto has been “excellence in dance,” and to continue in that vein will hold a fundraising gala to mark its silver anniversary Sept. 30 at the Olympia Theatre in Montreal.

Seven pieces of original choreography showcasing gifted Quebec dancers will be presented, including two by Mehuys.

The fundraiser is being directed by Christophe Maraval, who recently joined Ballet Ouest as co-artistic director as Mehuys prepares for her retirement. “Maraval is a former principal dancer with the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company in Cincinnati, and was a big star in the U.S. He has a real vision of moving Ballet Ouest forward,” Mehuys said. The gala will get under way with cocktails and dinner, and will also feature a silent auction. “We really need the community’s support. Dance is a precious resource that needs to be cherished and preserved. The gala will give people a glimpse of what could be.” Tickets are $125, or $25 for the show only (donations are also welcome), and may be purchased by calling 514-783-1245, or 514-845-3524. The theatre is located at 1004 Ste. Catherine St. E.