Ballet director likes pushing envelope

Benoit-Swan Pouffer became the artistic director of New York's Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in 2005, two years after is inception.

And his goal is to continue the young dance company's misson to support the development of dance and give choreographers a vehicle to create and present works to a worldwide audience.

"In addition, I want to introduce the U.S. audiences to the rich styles of European choreographers," said Pouffer during a phone call from his office in New York.

"And I always like pushing the envelope when it comes to the concept of dance."

And push it he does. Some of his works are gritty and contain adult themes.

The company, featuring 16 international dancers, will bring an eclectic collage of pieces that will show the company's multidimensionality to Salt Lake City this week.

"We will do Ohad Naharin's 'Decadance,' Crystal Pite's 'Ten Duets on a Theme of Rescue' and 'frame of view' by Didy Veldman," Pouffer said.

"All of these works are different in their way of approach and execution.

"Ohad is an in-demand choreographer from Europe and has a lot of imagery and lots of feeling in his works," Pouffer said.

"Then we go to 'Ten Duets' and feel the emotion of Crystal's idea and 'frame of view' is like a melting pot of all these different styles."

Pouffer, who was born in France and took over Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet after dancing with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, said the joy of being an artistic director for Cedar Lake is seeing the dancers' daily progression.

"I like to challenge the dancers," he said. "That way they become artists. I like watching them grow into the pieces we produce. It is my job to continue to bring new forms of dance to the forefront and introduce new choreographers to the dancers as well as the artists.

"Another joy for me is to see audience members who have not seen our company come and experience dance. And, of course, I love to introduce new choreographers to the audience."

Pouffer said one of the company's greatest achievements occurred in the past three years.

"Back then we were virtually unknown," he said. "In those short years, we have emerged and made a name for ourselves."

Still, Pouffer said, with that newfound notice comes pressures.

"I want to make sure we continue to cultivate and perform quality and unconventional works," he said.

"It is important for us to push the envelope and help people and the dancers see dance in a different light. And this is only the tip of the iceberg."

If you go

What: Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet

Where: Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah

When: Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m.

How much: $22.50-$34.50

Phone: 801-581-7100

Web: www.kingsburyhall.org

Also:

Where: Main Salt Lake City Library, 210 E. 400 South

When: Feb. 6, noon

How much: free

E-mail: scott@desnews.com