Ballet stars tend to retire from performing only when forced, often by health problems. They certainly don’t retire at 30, which is often the height of a dancer’s professional career. But that’s Silas Farley’s story. He is one of a new, small crop of dancers ending their performing years early (by ballet standards) and turning all that knowledge and energy into teaching and choreography, producing research, lectures, or podcasts. (Farley is currently dean of the Colburn School’s Trudl Zipper Dance Institute in Los Angeles.) This fall, Farley will stage his work “Dowland Dances” with the Washington Ballet as part of the company’s NEXTsteps performance, a biannual presentation of acclaimed and emerging choreographers. “Dances” is set to Elizabethan-sounding lyre music written by Renaissance composer John Dowland and recorded by Sting in 2006. Also part of NEXTsteps is a piece by Dana Genshaft, which, in her words, was “choreographed by Dana Genshaft in collaboration with the artists,” referring to the creative partnering involved in creating the work. The Washington Ballet’s own talented dancer-choreographer Andile Ndlovu will present a newly commissioned work as well. NEXTsteps runs Oct. 12 through 16 at Sidney Harman Hall. washingtonballet.org. $45–$115.
For more dance recommendations, check out our calendar.