L.A. Dance Project

L.A. Dance Project
General information
NameL.A. Dance Project
Year founded2011; 14 years ago (2011)
Founders
Principal venue
Websitewww.ladanceproject.org
Artistic staff
Artistic DirectorBenjamin Millepied
Ballet MasterSebastien 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.

History

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.

International acclaim

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]

Collaboration with Van Cleef & Arpels

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]

Performance space

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]

Repertory

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

References

  1. ^ "LOS ANGELES MUSIC CENTER LAUNCHES LA DANCE PROJECT". ArtForum. 2011-11-22. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  2. ^ "Benjamin Millepied finds home for L.A. Dance Project in downtown". Los Angeles Times. 2012-07-05. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  3. ^ "Benjamin Millepied's LA Dance Project Premieres at Walt Disney Concert Hall". Glendale News-Press. 2012-09-24. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  4. ^ "L.A. Dance Project's Promising Debut At Disney Concert Hall". Huffington Post. 2012-09-24. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  5. ^ "Review LA Dance Project – Edinburgh festival 2013 review". The Guardian. 2013-08-25. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  6. ^ "A Return Back East to Make a Debut". The New York Times. 2014-10-17. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  7. ^ "Van Cleef & Arpels' gemstone ballerinas". Vogue France. 2013-05-21. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  8. ^ "LA Dance Project review – Millepied goes for some Balanchine shine". The Guardian. 2017-06-27. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  9. ^ "VCA, Esplanade to present L.A. Dance Project's Singapore debut". Prestige Online. 2017-10-18. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  10. ^ "Van Cleef & Arpels and dance: a pas de deux". Van Cleef & Arpels. 2023-09-16. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
  11. ^ "Gems, a ballet collaboration with Benjamin Millepied". Van Cleef & Arpels. 2023-09-16. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
  12. ^ "Benjamin Millepied Ties Up With Van Cleef & Arpels for 'Gems' Trilogy". WWD. 2013-05-22. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
  13. ^ "Romeo & Juliet brought to life by Van Cleef & Arpels". The Jewellery Editor. 2019-08-13. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
  14. ^ "Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Supports the Art of Choreography In LA". L'Officiel USA. 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
  15. ^ "L.A. Dance Project Finds a Spot to Call Its Own". The New York Times. 2017-04-25. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  16. ^ "LA Dance Project: Be Here Now review – at close quarters with Millepied's magnetic movers". The Guardian. 2022-06-19. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  17. ^ "Dance Review: CONGRESS VIII (Legalize Dance in partnership with LA Dance Project)". Stage and Cinema. 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  18. ^ "Seeking Applications for L.A. Dance Project's Artist Residency Program, LAUNCH:LA". dance/NYC. 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  19. ^ "'Festival in Motion' to Feature Performances Around Iconic Landmarks in Qatar". Marharba. 2022-12-04. Retrieved 2023-09-16.