In 2015 an estimated 1.3 million refugees poured into Europe, many of them from war-torn Syria. It inspired Crystal Pite to tell their story in her own way - by creating a contemporary ballet for them called Flight Pattern.
The Canadian choreographer has since expanded it, making it into a full length work called Light of Passage which had its premiere late last year with The Royal Ballet.
Crystal's repertoire is expansive - she's created more than 50 works for some of the biggest dance companies in the world.
She formed her own company - Kidd Pivot - in 2002 and is bringing one of its most popular shows - Revisor - to the Auckland Arts Festival next month.
And Kidd Pivot is one of the first dance companies in the world to make itself carbon neutral while on tour.
Left, Crystal Pite, Right, Revisor - showing at the Auckland Arts Festival 2023. Photo: Rolex by Anoush Abrar and Michael Slobodian.
