| L.A. Dance Project | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Name | L.A. Dance Project |
| Year founded | 2011 |
| Founders | |
| Principal venue | |
| Website | www.ladanceproject.org |
| Artistic staff | |
| Artistic Director | Benjamin Millepied |
| Ballet Master | Sebastien Marcovici, Associate Artistic Director) |
L.A. Dance Project (LADP) is a contemporary ballet company based in Los Angeles. It was founded in 2011 by choreographer and dancer Benjamin Millepied. It is currently made up of 7 dancers, and led by Millepied.
Launched in 2011 as an art collective with a commission from the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Los Angeles Music Center., [1] L.A. Dance Project was founded by Millepied, Nico Muhly, Nicholas Britell, art advisor Matthieu Humery and producer Charles Fabius. [2] L.A. Dance Project premiered at Walt Disney Concert Hall on September 22, 2012. [3] The program featured Quintett by William Forsythe, Winterbranch by Merce Cunningham, and Moving Parts by Millepied, in a collaboration with composer Nico Muhly and visual artist Christopher Wool. [4]
Shortly after founding the company, Millepied was appointed the Director of the Paris Opera Ballet, and for two years, he ran both companies concurrently. Millepied returned to Los Angeles, and full-time to L.A. Dance Project in 2016.
The company has toured all over the world, performing in venues and festivals including the Edinburgh International Festival, [5] Brooklyn Academy of Music, [6] Théâtre du Châtelet, [7] Sadlers Wells, [8] and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. [9]
Since its founding in 1896, luxury jewellery brand Van Cleef & Arpels has drawn inspiration from dance, with the first ballerina clips appearing from the Maison in the 1940s. [10] The collaboration between L.A. Dance Project and Van Cleef & Arpels began in 2012, when Nicolas Bos, CEO of VCA, met Millepied, and the jeweller commissioned a project, the Gems trilogy. [11] Gems, comprising Reflections (2012), Hearts and Arrows (2014) and On The Other Side (2016), marked the continuation of the collaborative relationship between Van Cleef & Arpels and choreographers, which began with George Balanchine's 1967 opus Jewels, originally suggested by Claude Arpels. [12]
The relationship between L.A. Dance Project and Van Cleef & Arpels has continued far beyond the initial collaboration on Gems, with the Maison partnering on the creation of multiple works for the company. Most recently, to mark the premiere Millepied's Romeo and Juliet Suite, the Maison unveiled a new collection, retelling the story through jewellery pieces. [13]
In 2021, Van Cleef & Arpels furthered their commitment to supporting the creation and performance of dance, with the Dance Reflections initiative, which, in addition to supporting L.A. Dance Project, now supports choreographers and companies around the world. [14]
In 2017, L.A. Dance Project opened their first designated rehearsal and performance space in Los Angeles at 2245 East Washington Boulevard. [15] In addition to daily rehearsal, the company presents regular performances in the space, often using it to premiere new works [16]
In addition to company repertory performances, L.A. Dance Project frequently partners with other dance companies and organisations to present their work in the performance space. [17]
The company now offers artist residencies through the LAUNCH:LA initiative. The residency awards free use of the performance space to emerging choreographers and dance makers, also awarding them production creation and artist stipends. [18]
| Year | Repertory | Choreographer | Premiered | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 Live Calibrations | Madeline Hollander | Theatre des Champs-Elysees, Paris | Music by Celia Hollander. Later performed at the Louvre Abu Dhabi |
| 2019 | Adagio in B Minor | Janie Taylor | L.A. Dance Project Performance Space | Taylor's Choreography debut |
| 2012 | Attitude du Cage | Nathan Makolandra and Julia Eichten | Smithsonian Museum, Washington D.C. | Performed as part of John Cage Centennial |
| 2018 | Chapter Song | Kyle Abraham | Moody Performance Hall, Dallas | |
| 2006 | Closer | Benjamin Millepied | Joyce Theater, New York City | Created by Millepied prior to creation of L.A. Dance Project |
| 2015 | Harbor Me | Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui | Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris | |
| 2014 | Hearts and Arrows | Benjamin Millepied | Olympia Theatre, Miami | |
| 2014 | Helix | Justin Peck | Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles | |
| 2016 | Homecoming | Benjamin Millepied | The Theatre, Ace Hotel Los Angeles | Music performed live by Rufus Wainwright |
| 2018 | Homeward | Benjamin Millepied | Hauser & Wirth, Los Angeles | Music by Bryce Dessner |
| 2019 | I fall, I flow, I melt | Benjamin Millepied | L.A. Dance Project Performance Space | Costumes by Alessandro Sartori |
| 2014 | II Acts for the Blind | Roy Assaf | Opéra de Saint-Étienne in collaboration with Biennale de la danse de Lyon | |
| 2017 | In Silence We Speak | Benjamin Millepied | Joyce Theater, New York City | Music by David Lang |
| 2019 | Kinaesonata | Bella Lewitzky | Theatre des Champs-Elysees, Paris | Revival of work from 1970. New scenic design by Charles Gaines |
| 2019 | Kora | Charm La'Donna | L.A. Dance Project Performance Space | Scenic design by Njideka Akunyili Crosby |
| 2016 | Martha Graham Duets | Martha Graham | Joyce Theater, New York City | Excerpted from Canticle for Innocent Comedians and Diversion of Angels |
| 2016 | MinEvent | Merce Cunningham | Hammer Museum, Los Angeles | Arranged and Staged by Silas Riener |
| 2013 | Morgan's Last Chug | Emanuel Gat | Maison de la danse, Lyon | |
| 2012 | Moving Parts | Benjamin Millepied | Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles | Music by Nico Muhly, Visual Installation by Christopher Wool |
| 2013 | Murder Ballades | Justin Peck | Maison de la danse, Lyon | Visual Installation by Sterling Ruby |
| 2021 | Night Bloom | Janie Taylor | L.A. Dance Project, 2245 East Washington Blvd | Premiered in outdoor performance space, during COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2016 | On The Other Side | Benjamin Millepied | Sadlers Wells, London | Art by Mark Bradford |
| 2017 | Orpheus Highway | Benjamin Millepied | Joyce Theater, New York City | Set to Triple Quartet by Steve Reich |
| 2014 | Peripheral Stream | Hiroaki Umeda | Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris | |
| 2012 | Quintett | William Forsythe | Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles | Revival of work from 1993 |
| 2013 | Reflections | Benjamin Millepied | Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris | Visual Installation and Costume Design by Barbara Kruger |
| 2022 | Romeo and Juliet Suite | Benjamin Millepied | La Seine Musicale, Paris | Adaptation of Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev. Originally performed in a shortened version with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel |
| 2022 | Be Here Now | Benjamin Millepied | Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris | Visual and Video Installation by Barbara Kruger, Music by Andy Akiho and Caroline Shaw |
| 2019 | Rising Water | Gianna Reisen | L.A. Dance Project Performance Space | |
| 2018 | Run From Me | Shannon Gillen | Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman University | |
| 2009 | Sarabande | Benjamin Millepied | Maison de la danse, Lyon | Originally choreographed for Millepied's pick-up troupe Danses Concertantes |
| 2022 | Quartet for Five | Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber | Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris | |
| 2022 | Elastic Ballet | Madeline Hollander | Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris | |
| 2022 | Everyone Keeps Me | Pam Tanowitz | Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris | Originally created for the Royal Ballet, London |
| 2017 | Second Quartet | Noé Soulier | La Cours des Forges, Parc des Ateliers, Arles | Created during LUMA Foundation residency |
| 2020 | Solo at Dusk | Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber | L.A. Dance Project Performance Space | Premiered in outdoor performance space, during COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2019 | Split Step | Emily Mast and Zack Winokur in collaboration with dancers of L.A. Dance Project | L.A. Dance Project Performance Space | |
| 2020 | The Betweens | Jermaine Spivey and Spenser Theberge in collaboration with dancers of L.A. Dance Project | L.A. Dance Project Performance Space | Premiered in outdoor performance space, during COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2019 | (untitled) (2018/19) | Tino Sehgal | Theatre des Champs-Elysees, Paris | Later performed at the Louvre Abu Dhabi |
| 2012 | Winterbranch | Merce Cunningham | Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles | Revival of 1963 work. Visual and Costume Design by Robert Rauschenberg |
| 2017 | Yag | Ohad Naharin | Joyce Theater, New York City | Revival of 1993 work |
| 2023 | Unstill Life | Benjamin Millepied | Nuits de Fourvière, Lyon | Performed and conceived by Millepied and Alexandre Tharaud |
| 2023 | The Missing Mountain | Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber | L.A. Dance Project Performance Space | |
| 2022 | Festival in Motion | Benjamin Millepied, Madeline Hollander, Janie Taylor, Saburo Teshigawara, Bobbi Jene Smith, Salia Sanou, Jill Johnson, Dimitri Chamblas, Mythili Prakash, Bouchra Ouizguen, MAZELFRETEN, Rauf Yasit and Brigel Gjoka | Various, Doha, Qatar | L.A. Dance Project took a key role, performing multiple new works in the first Festival in Motion, which took place in Qatar as a part of the cultural programming accompanying the 2022 Fifa World Cup. The Festival was curated by Benjamin Millepied and Nico Muhly, presented by Qatar Museums, and commissioned by Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. [19] |
| 2024 | Me.You.We.They | Benjamin Millepied | Philharmonie de Paris | Music by Nico Muhly |
| 2024 | Triade | Benjamin Millepied | Philharmonie de Paris | Music by Nico Muhly |
Alvin Ailey Jr. was an American dancer, director, choreographer, and activist who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT). He created AAADT and its affiliated Alvin Ailey American Dance Center as havens for nurturing Black artists and expressing the universality of the African-American experience through dance.
The Paris Opera Ballet is a French ballet company that is an integral part of the Paris Opera. It is the oldest national ballet company, and many European and international ballet companies can trace their origins to it. It is still regarded as one of the four most prominent ballet companies in the world, together with the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, the Mariinsky Ballet in Saint Petersburg and the Royal Ballet in London.
Compagnie Financière Richemont S.A., commonly known as Richemont, is a Switzerland-based luxury goods holding company founded in 1988 by South African businessman Johann Rupert. Through its various subsidiaries, Richemont produces and sells jewellery, watches, leather goods, pens, firearms, clothing, and accessories. Richemont is publicly traded as CFR on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the JSE.
Van Cleef & Arpels is a French luxury jewelry company. It was founded in 1896 by the Dutch diamond-cutter Alfred Van Cleef and his father-in-law Salomon Arpels in Paris. Their pieces often feature flowers, animals, and fairies, and have been worn by style icons and royalty such as Grace Kelly, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Diana, Princess of Wales, Ava Gardner, Farah Pahlavi, Eva Perón, Elizabeth Taylor, the Duchess of Windsor, Queen Nazli of Egypt, and Queen Camilla.
Jewels is a three-act ballet created for the New York City Ballet by co-founder and founding choreographer George Balanchine. It premièred on Thursday, 13 April 1967 at the New York State Theater, with sets designed by Peter Harvey and lighting by Ronald Bates.
Benjamin Millepied is a French dancer and choreographer, who has lived and worked in the United States since joining the New York City Ballet in 1995, where he became a soloist in 1998 and a principal in 2002. He has also created choreography for the company, and choreographed pieces for other major companies. He retired from the NYCB in 2011.
Janie Taylor is an American ballet dancer, répétiteur and costume designer. She joined New York City Ballet in 1998, was promoted to principal dancer in 2005 and left in 2014. She then started designing costumes and staging works by Justin Peck and Benjamin Millepied, before performing again as a member of the L.A. Dance Project.
The STILE Downtown Los Angeles by Kasa, originally built as the California Petroleum Corporation Building and later known as the Texaco Building, is a 243 ft (74 m), 13-story highrise hotel and theater building located at 937 South Broadway in downtown Los Angeles, California. It was the tallest building in the city for one year after its completion in 1927, and was the tallest privately owned structure in Los Angeles until 1956. Its style is Spanish Gothic, patterned after Segovia Cathedral in Segovia, Spain.
The Central Business District (CBD) is located in central Manama, the capital of Bahrain. Many of the city's hotels, office buildings, shops and restaurants are located in the CBD. It lies along the northern coast of Manama.
Daniil Simkin is a ballet dancer and entrepreneur, best known for his accomplished technical skill and charismatic stage presence. He was formerly a principal dancer with both American Ballet Theatre and Berlin State Ballet. Simkin is based in New York, and is the founder of Studio Simkin.
Peeping Tom is a Belgian theatre company founded by Argentinian choreographer Gabriela Carrizo and French choreographer Franck Chartier in 2000. The pair met while working at several other Belgian companies, including Les Ballets C de la B. In 1999, they created a first location project that was set in a trailer home, titled Caravana, with mezzo-soprano Eurudike De Beul. This location project was followed by the film Une Vie Inutile (2000).
Asa Mader is an American film director, screenwriter and visual artist.
Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) is a non-profit international youth ballet and contemporary dance competition and scholarship program established in 1999.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai is a contemporary art museum in the city of Shanghai, China. It is located within People's Park, north of People's Square, the location of a former racecourse that now holds the central administrative building and museums of Shanghai. Surrounding buildings include the Municipal Government Headquarters, the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the Shanghai Art Museum and the Shanghai Museum.
Brigitte Lefèvre is a French ballet dancer, choreographer and teacher. She was director of the Paris Opera Ballet from 1995 to 2014.
Randy Castillo is a ballet dancer who performs with the LA Dance Project.
Madeline Hollander is an American artist, choreographer, and dancer, living and working in New York City. Her work explores the evolution of human body movement and the intersection between choreography and visual art.
Claude Arpels Jr. is a French-American businessman, and investor who is the heir to the Van Cleef & Arpels fortune. He also owned the Italian brands Borbonese and Alessandro Dell'Acqua.
Françoise Dupuy was a French dancer and choreographer. She was married to fellow dancer and choreographer Dominique Dupuy.
Dimitri Chamblas is a French dancer and contemporary dance choreographer, as well as artistic director and film producer.