Choreography

Jessica Baynes has choreographed over 40 works in her career to date. These pieces range from stages to screens, and company commissions to student pieces.

Jessica Baynes Choreographic Reel

Music by Michael Wall/SoundFORMovement

For inquiries, please contact: JessicaBaynesDance@gmail.com.

Baynes’ choreographic experience includes:

Collaborating with artists in other mediums (e.g. music composers, costume designers, lighting designers etc.)
Working with varying cast sizes (1 dancer-50 dancers)
Creating for various settings (e.g. site-specific, theater, screendance, hybrid mix between live and onscreen)
Setting material for different populations with varying performance needs (e.g. professional companies, summer intensives, universities, dance studios, competitions, public schools, adaptive dance programs, etc.)
Operating with quick turnaround deadlines, varying budget sizes (corporate/commercial commissions to local/grassroots projects), and working remotely with rehearsal directors.

Gallery

"Prelude for Five Pieces" 2022 Photo by Beau Pearson

"In Transit" 2019
Photo by Nora Lang — "In Transit" 2019 Photo by Nora Lang

"Weather Report" 2024 Photo by the LK Studio

"So, You're A Philosopher?" 2023 Photo by Ross Richey

"reBloom" Screendance 2023 Photo by Keith Fearnow

"BLOOM: The Screendance" 2022 Photo by Simon Zivny

"Counterpoint" 2023 Photo by the LK Studio

"Prelude for Five Pieces" 2022 Photo by Nicholas Maughan

Works

To Be Without

Choreography: Jessica Baynes in collaboration with dancers
Style: Contemporary Dance
Costumes: Ballet West Wardrobe
Lighting: Michael Currey
Cast Size: 43
Premiere Date: March 14, 2024
This piece explores the concept of grief. From the commonly-known seven stages, to unmet needs of attachment stemming from loss, this work is a compilation of vignettes that reflect on the psychophysical experiences of bereavement.

Land Under the Wave

Choreography: Jessica Baynes in collaboration with dancers
Costumes: Brigham Young University Wardrobe
Lighting: Michael Currey
Cast Size: 29
Premiere date: March 15, 2024
This choreography alludes to symbols and imagery from Baynes’ childhood reading Irish folk stories such as Tír Na Nóg (Land Under the Wave), a fairytale that depicts a horse who runs over the ocean to the land of youth. Thank you to the dancers for your artistic commitment, and thank you, Hannah, for your gestural contributions to this creative process.

Weather Report - YAGP NYC Finals

Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) 2024 New York Finals
The Concert Hall at SUNY Purchase, Westchester, NY, USA
Performance Date(s): April 11-17
Photo by the LK Studio
Baynes choreographed a contemporary solo on 2022 YAGP semi-finals winner Lukas Mishchenko which was selected for the 25th anniversary Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) 2024 Finals in New York, USA.

reBloom Interactive Arts Experience at Primary Children’s Hospital

Choreographer: Jessica Baynes
Composer: Nicholas Maughan
Dancers: Ashley Jian Thomson, Ruby Cabell, Joey Anderson, Cameron Mert
Musicians: Ruby Chou, Nicholas Maughan
Presenters: Primary Children's Hospital, Sophie's Place Music Therapy, Intermountain Health Expressive Therapies
Lighting: Katie Lahue
Livestream video: Simon Zivny and Intermountain Health A/V
Videographer and editor: Keith Fearnow
Production Photography: Intermountain Health
Set Production and BTS Photography: Simon Zivny
Costume design and production: Amanda Shaffer
Dance/Movement Therapy: Sara Schmidt BC-D/MT
Funded by: Salt Lake City Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts
Coming soon.

reBloom Screendance

Choreographer: Jessica Baynes
Composer: Nicholas Maughan
Dancers: Ashley Jian Thomson, Joey Anderson, Cameron Mertz, Jessica Baynes
Musicians: Ruby Chou, Nicholas Maughan
Videography, Post Production, and Photography: Keith Fearnow
Set Production and Photo Assist: Simon Zivny
Funded by: Salt Lake City Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts
Film locations:
Great Salt Lake State Park, UT, USA
Park City, UT, USA
Snyderville, UT, USA
Screendance produced for interactive component of Primary Children's Hospital event performance.

Toreadors & Maidens as part of “Paquita Suite”

Show Dates: May 18, 19, & 20, 2023
Choreographer: Jessica Baynes
Cast/Performers: 22 dancers per cast (3 casts); 11 men & 11 women from the Ballet West Professional Training Division
Location: Rose Wagner Theatre, Downtown Salt Lake City, USA
Presenter: Ballet West Academy
Lighting: Michael Currey
Stage Manager: Michael McCullough
Assistant Stage Manager: Angelina Pellini
Music: Paquita Toreadors & Maidens by Berlin Philharmonic
Videography: Bruce Caldwell
Photography: Beau Pearson
Costume: Ballet West Academy, Ballet West Wardrobe, SoDança
Rehearsal director(s): Jessica Baynes, Katherine Lawrence, and Jeffrey Rogers
Thumbnail Photo: Beau Pearson
Dance genre: Flamenco
Cast number: 35 dancers total (15 men, 20 women)
Three casts total: 22 dancers per cast (11 men and 11 women).

Echo

Premiere Date: April 19, 2023
Choreographer: Jessica Baynes, in collaboration with dancers
Location: Capitol Theatre, Downtown Salt Lake City, UT
Performers: Liesel Blue, Regan Forster, Katherine Patterson, Sofie Treibitz, Zoe Wilson, Carly Allyn, Emelie Harney, Josabella Morton, Malia Wellwerts, Jaiden Morley, Kaya Jones, Sabrina Stilson.
Lighting: Michael Currey
Production Stage Manager: Angelina Pellini
Director of Production: Michael McCullough
Music: Vers la lumière by Bruno Coulais, Slim Pezin, Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra
Videography: Bruce Caldwell
Photography: Beau Pearson
Costume: Ballet West Wardrobe
Presenter: Ballet West Academy
Rehearsal director(s): Jessica Baynes
Genre: Contemporary
Cast number: 13 female dancers

So You’re A Philosopher?

Video: Coming Soon
Premiere date: April 18, 2023
Choreographer: Jessica Baynes
Location: Capitol Theatre, Downtown Salt Lake City, UT
Performers: Lukas Mischenko, Quentin, Juliana, Isabella Utgaard, Isabella Agripides, Alice, Noelle, Gabriella, Peri Lewis.
Lighting: Michael Currey
Production Stage Manager: Angelina Pellini
Director of Production: Michael McCullough
Music: Fragmentation by enzo alto
Videography: Bruce Caldwell
Photography: Beau Pearson
Costume: Ballet West Academy
Presenter: Ballet West Academy
Rehearsal director(s): Jessica Baynes
Dance genre: Contemporary

Counterpoint

Premiere Date: January 16, 2023
Performance: Youth America Grand Prix Semi-finals, Salt Lake City
Choreographer: Jessica Baynes
Performers: Isabella Utgaard
Presenter: Youth America Grand Prix
Location: Mid-Valley Performing Arts Centre
Sponsored by: Ballet West
Music: The Mouse by Renée Aubrey
Videography & Photography: The LK Studio
Costume: On loan from Eunice Stafford
Rehearsal director(s): Jessica Baynes, Eunice Stafford
Dance Genre: Contemporary

Carmine

Premiere Date: January 16, 2023
Performance: Youth America Grand Prix Semi-finals, Salt Lake City
Choreographer: Jessica Baynes
Performers: Maya Cheng
Presenter: Youth America Grand Prix
Location: Mid-Valley Performing Arts Centre
Sponsored by: Ballet West
Music: Tourbillion by Julie Kent
Videography & Photography: The LK Studio
Rehearsal director(s): Jessica Baynes, Catherine Batcheller
Dance genre: Contemporary

Prelude for Five Pieces

Presenter: Ballet West
Choreography: Jessica Baynes
Concert: 'Unite Together All' benefit concert by Ballet West for Ukrainian refugees in Moldova
Premiere date: May 31, 2022
Venue: Capitol Theatre, Salt Lake City, UT
Dancers: Owen Black, Liesel Blue, Joseph Lihos, Kaiya Mortensen, Elliott Mumm, Mia Petkovic
Musicians: Jared Oaks, Cassie Olson
Costumes: Jackie Bryce, Emily Fowler, Charisse Swarthout
Lighting: Michael Currey
Dance Genre: Contemporary Ballet

BLOOM: The Screendance

Premiere Date: August 12, 2022
Choreography: Jessica Baynes
Composition: Nicholas Maughan
Dancers: Alicia Ross, Sybley Wozmak, Jessica Baynes
Musicians: Ruby Chou, Nicholas Maughan
Videography and Editing: Keith Fearnow and Fearnow Media
Costume design and production: Amanda Schaffer
Location: Bonneville Salt Flats, UT
Funded by: Utah Division of Arts & Museums Career Advancement Scholarship
Thumbnail photo: Keith Fearnow
Dance genre: Contemporary

Bookends

Premiere Date: March 19, 2022
Choreography: Jessica Baynes
Location: Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, Taylorsville, UT
Music: The Real Group
Sound design: Jessica Baynes
Videography: Bruce Caldwell
Dance Genre: Contemporary Ballet

Continuum

Premiere Date: February 6, 2022
Description: Contemporary solo for Youth America Grand Prix Semi-Finals
Choreography: Jessica Baynes
Entry Sponsor: Ballet West
Location: Marriott Center for Dance Hayes Christensen Theatre, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Videography: Youth America Grand Prix & Star Action Shots
Thumbnail Photo: Star Action Shots
Dance genre: Contemporary
Information: Senior Entry for Youth America Grand Prix Semi-Finals 2021
Award: Ballet West Academy, Most Outstanding Faculty 2021

Danse de Espagnol from “Raymonda”

Choreography: Jessica Baynes
Rehearsal Direction: Eunice Stafford, Stacey Mahan, and Katherine Lawrence
Performers: Ballet West Academy Level III students (ages 11-13)
Costuming: Ballet West Academy with assistance from Emily Fowler
Stage: Rose Wagner Theatre, Downtown Salt Lake City, USA
Music: Raymonda, Op. 57 Grand Pas Espagnol, recorded by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra
Scene: Danse de Espagnole
Lighting & Backdrop: Ballet West Production Staff
Videography: Bruce Caldwell
Thumbnail Photo: Beau Pearson
Dance Genre: Flamenco

BLOOM

Premiere Date: September 12, 2021
Choreography: Jessica Baynes
Composition: Nicholas Maughan
Dancers: Alicia Ross, Sybley Wozmak, Jessica Baynes
Musicians: Ruby Chou, Nicholas Maughan
Videography: Samuel Hanson
Sponsor & Presenter: loveDANCEmore
Location: Spy Hop Rooftop, Salt Lake City, USA
Dance genre: Contemporary
Interdisciplinary collaboration between choreographer and classical composer.

Interlaced

Genre: Contemporary

In Transit

Dance genre: Contemporary