For over 40 years, Boulder Ballet has created spaces in the community for human connection, emotional exploration and artistic celebration. Dance serves as a powerful vehicle for joy and self-reflection. Boulder Ballet brings classical, contemporary and uniquely theatrical ballet to venues across the Front Range from Estes Park to Highlands Ranch.
Artistic Director Ben Needham-Wood has been dancing since he was 5 years old. Over the course of his career, he has performed across the country from Louisville to San Franciso. He recently landed in Boulder after being asked to help teach the company a work titled “The Devil Ties My Tongue” by Amy Seiwert. “The character of the dancers in Boulder stood out to me,” said Needham-Wood. “I was fortunate enough to be teaching at the time they were beginning a director’s search. I’m very grateful to stay in Boulder.”
In his role with Boulder Ballet, Needham-Wood is bringing dynamic and interactive performances to the stage. Their upcoming show, MINDFIELD, is the culmination of years of work understanding how our body movements impact mental health and personal wellness. “I became fascinated by a concept called limbic synchrony,” said Needham-Wood. “We have mirror neurons in our brains. When we see someone, it triggers the same reaction as if you were experiencing what that they did. This is a powerful tool for building empathy and provides an interesting parallel to dance. With dance, you are applying different postures to a performance that emotionally impacts the audience. Does witnessing movement have a meaningful and tangible impact on those watching?”
Boulder Ballet is partnering with Mental Health Colorado and CU Boulder’s Psychology Department to design a research pilot in conjunction with MINDFIELD, performed at The Dairy Arts Center from Friday, March 8 – Sunday, March 10, 2024. Volunteer members of the audience will complete surveys and wear biometric devices to monitor heart rate and physiological responses. That data will then be compared to research on limbic synchrony and body posturing.
MINDFIELD is being choreographed by Needham-Wood in conjunction with Andrea Schermoly and Brandon Ragland. As a professional dancer who recently became Artistic Director of Dayton Ballet, Ragland understands the power of movement. “I’m really excited about this ballet,” said Ragland. “It’s designed to be interactive, and I think the audience will have a rewarding experience. Examining the real time impact of movement on emotions, breathing, anxiety and other responses is so special.”
Grant funding from the Boulder Arts Commission helps bring unique experiences like MINDFIELD to the community. If you are considering applying for a cultural grant, Needham-Wood suggests remaining focused on the intention of your work and the value it brings to others. “Understand your why. If it takes more than a sentence to explain, keep digging until your intention is crystal clear.”
For more information about upcoming Boulder Ballet performances, including their Spring Program in May, visit BoulderBallet.org and follow them on social media @boulder_ballet.
Image credit: Boulder Ballet