Company’s artistic director signs on for five more years
Edwaard Liang wants central Ohio to know that he is committed to working with BalletMet.
Five years ago, when Liang was hired as the company’s artistic director, some people doubted that he was in for the long haul, he said.
“I think a lot of people assumed and wanted basically to say that ‘You’re trying your hand out on this,’ or that ‘This is just a steppingstone for you,’” said Liang, who won the job on the strength of his background as a dancer with New York City Ballet and his subsequent career as an acclaimed choreographer.
Any lingering doubts have likely been eased with the announcement last week that Liang, 42, has accepted a five-year contract renewal from BalletMet, extending his tenure with the company through the 2022-23 season.
“I have really found home in Columbus,” said Liang, who was hired ahead of the 201314 season to replace Gerard Charles.
BalletMet and Liang finalized the agreement in December; his salary wasn’t disclosed.
“Edwaard has brought a worldclass artistic vision to Columbus,” BalletMet Executive Director Sue Porter said. “He has been able to really build on what’s happened historically at BalletMet and take us to what I think is the next level.”
Since joining BalletMet, the native of Taiwan has choreographed multiple new works for the company — including large-scale productions such as “Romeo and Juliet” and smaller contemporary pieces — and welcomed choreographers from around the globe, including China native Ma Cong and Spaniard Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, to work with the troupe.
Liang’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by others involved in the central Ohio arts community.
“Edwaard has brought, of course, his own unique voice as a choreographer, which is exciting,” said Tim Veach, artistic director of Columbus Dance Theatre. “And also, he has fostered a lot of international connections.”
Liang has also overseen a sweeping overhaul of the roster, with many veteran dancers departing; this season, most of the troupe’s 26 dancers have been selected by Liang.
“Because of the repertoire changes that he wanted to do with the company, the dancers in a way had to change,” said former dancer Adrienne Benz, who retired last season.
Porter said that ticket sales and fundraising have been strong during Liang’s tenure.
“We’re coming off of, quite honestly, record ‘Nutcracker’ attendance,” Porter said, “and I think the life that Edwaard and the dancers bring to the stage really helps that.”
Liang, however, suggests that he is just getting started, contrasting the “instant gratification” of choreographing a dance to the long-term commitment of running a company.
In seasons to come, his goals include taking BalletMet on tour, growing its dance academy and renovating its Downtown headquarters.
For its part, BalletMet is happy to have secured Liang’s employment for years to come.
“He certainly could do things at many places,” Porter said, “but has chosen to really make a life in Columbus.”