At the same time the name is actually Latin for stretching and expanding as well. We would like to explore the directions in which ballet or neoclassical dance can go, and make it sort of -- approachable.  We pose a question with every piece: is this the direction ballet could go? And obviously people will like different answers. There's no clear answer, no such thing as the best choreographer or the best piece. But that's the beauty of art. Everybody is entitled to an opinion and everybody will hopefully find, in some way, something they like and can connect to. And in that sense they can decide for themselves in which directions ballet should go and what they appreciate in the evening. It's going to be quite different!

Can you share any examples of how it will be different?

Alexander Ekman's solo for me will involve video projections, spoken word, and a narrative. In contrast, completely, Gregory Dolbashian's piece will not have a narrative -- and it's in socks. Ekman's will be classical, pretty much, Dolbashian's will be completely contemporary and breaking the way ballet dancers move. It's not really ballet; it's more contemporary dance. Then we have Jorma Elo, who basically twists the classical language into different territory and that piece will have live music. That's the first half of the evening. Then we have the second half of the evening, which is going to be a piece for all the dancers involved including real time video projections. The projection happens in real time. There's no prerecorded footage and the projections will react to the dancers on stage, so every time we dance the piece will be different. 

How do you answer the question you're posing about the future of ballet? What draws you to the pieces you'll be performing?

First of all, the answer is that it's exciting to do something new. In a way, we did something very risky, because four new creations is a lot. All of them together might not be a masterpiece. But I think we will find jewels here and there and moments in which the questions we ask are being answered for at least some of the audience members. For me, there are no clear answers yet because we're still in the process of creating. For we dancers, it's very exciting to learn a different language. For example, I was in the Gregory Dolbashian rehearsal and it's so exciting because it's like doing your job, but doing something completely different. It's enriching.

How does Daniil train for new challenges, select dancers for his project, and apply unique multimedia technology to his work?  Read more including his plans to entice a larger, younger audience to appreciate dance and more.