First Artist Sophie Laplane‘s performance in Emergence at Sadler’s Wells will be her last for the Company, as she has decided to hang up her dancing shoes. Sophie joined Scottish Ballet in 2004, and was promoted to First Artist in July 2011. She is a talented choreographer and has presented a number of works for the Company, including at the Edinburgh International Festival and at large scale theatres across Scotland. However it will be more of an ‘au revoir’ than a ‘goodbye’ as she becomes Scottish Ballet Artist In Residence – Choreographer with immediate effect.

Artistic Director and CEO Christopher Hampson said of the news:

I’m delighted to announce the appointment of Sophie Laplane as Artist in Residence at Scottish Ballet. Sophie’s development over the past few years as a choreographer, both on stage and film, has been of great value to Scottish Ballet. I’m particularly delighted that as Sophie transitions from her life on stage to develop her own creative language, Scottish Ballet will remain part of that journey. Diversity and balance has always been visible in our programming and creative opportunities – I’m thrilled this can continue with Sophie’s appointment.

Sophie said of her time at Scottish Ballet:

There have been so many highlights in my time at Scottish Ballet. Joining the company was a huge one for a start, but as a dancer three of my fondest memories were to play Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire on tour in New Orleans (the home town of the story), perform in Crystal Pite’s Emergence with the power of the full company on stage, and being part of Ivgi and Greben’s poignant Each Other at Tramway. As a choreographer I felt blessed to get the chance to showcase my work Oxymore, Maze, and Sibilo, and play a part in the promo for Kathryn Joseph’s The Bird video.

You can listen to Sophie talking about her choreography over on The Wonderful World of Dance.