China's first contemporary ballet troupe,headed by a well-known partner to director Zhang Yimou, will stage its maiden show in December amid the capital's ongoing international drama and dance season.

"Space Diary" is a three-part modern ballet by the Beijing Contemporary Dance Theater, which was founded in April. The show will debut at the Tianqiao Theater on Dec. 10.

"Modern ballet is closer to present-day life," said Wang Yuanyuan, the primary founder of the troupe. Wang helped choreograph the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in August.

Wang, 35, graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy, a top Chinese arts institute, and pursued her master's degree at the California College of the Arts.

"I want modern ballet to express what is going on in people's minds," she said. "Classic ballet has little to say about that."

China has five professional ballet troupes, including the National Ballet of China, all of which focus on classic ballet.

Most of these troupes will perform during the 6th international drama and dance season, which started on Nov. 11. The Paris Opera Ballet and the Royal Ballet of Britain will also perform.

(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2008)