Kana Kimura

Lincoln Center's White Light Festival devoted a pair of evenings last week to a staged performance of Pergolesi's gorgeous hymn to Mary, STABAT MATER, directed by choreographer Jessica Lang (originally done several years ago at the Glimmerglass Festival in upstate NY). It featured a pair of lyric soloists, soprano Adriana Chuchman and star countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, with the Orchestra of St Luke's under Speranza Scappucci's thoughtful baton, at the Rose Theatre of Jazz from Lincoln Center.

With this in mind, I approached Jessica Lang's production with trepidation, a lot of it I might add: Was this going to be overbearing, over the top precious, continually weepy or just plain meaningless?

As part of the 50th anniversary season and tradition of 'bringing the world's best to Houston,' Society for the Performing Arts (SPA) in partnership with the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center presents a series of innovative dance master classes. This series brings the expertise of world-renowned dancers, choreographers, and teaching artists from all over the globe directly to Houston. Scroll down for a sneak peek!

As part of the 50th anniversary season and tradition of 'bringing the world's best to Houston,' Society for the Performing Arts (SPA) in partnership with the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center presents a series of innovative dance master classes. This series brings the expertise of world-renowned dancers, choreographers, and teaching artists from all over the globe directly to Houston. Scroll down for a sneak peek!

The French make a game of finding the perfect word for a phrase. For choreographer Jessica Lang the word is never in doubt. She is a master builder of choreographic phrases. Attending June 14th's opening of her 5th Anniversary concert at the Joyce was a bit like watching the construction of bridge; you may not have known why a thing was being done but it was clear that it served a purpose. This is not to say that the craftsmanship was obvious, if anything it was immaculately rendered. While the charge could reasonably be made that her work lacks mystery, what stands out about Ms. Lang's choreography is how well formulated it is; every move and gesture has been considered in the name of efficiency.

A month ago while Jessica Lang was in Utah working with Ballet West, I rang her to interview her about her incredible year of ongoing success. Years ago I took class with Robert Battle and struck up a dance friendship with his company dancers including Jessica's husband Kanji Segawa. But I have never met Jessica herself. Of course she is the 'It Woman' of dance so I know a bit about her. With her embarrassment of accolades one would have to have their head buried in the sand not to. Besides the rapturous praise she has received for her work, she has also secured numerous commissions (American Ballet Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet, The National Ballet of Japan at the New National Theatre Tokyo, Joffrey Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Ballet San Jose, Richmond Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Ailey II, ABT II, Hubbard Street 2, and New York City Ballet's Choreographic Institute, among many others), received many high profile awards (New York City Center Fellow for 2015, 2014 Bessie Award, 2013 Manchester Theatre Award, grants from Jerome Robbins Foundation, the NEA, the Choo San Goh Foundation, and a 2010 Joyce Theater Artist Residency supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation), is opening her own dance center in Long Island City, and is celebrating her company's 5th Anniversary Season at the Joyce. But how did she come to all of this?

Jessica Lang Dance, under the artistic direction of choreographer Jessica Lang, will celebrate its 5th Anniversary season with a week-long engagement at The Joyce Theater on June 14 – 19, 2016, featuring five pieces, including three New York premieres. There will be a post-performance Curtain Chat discussion with Lang and dancers from the company following the performance on June 15.

In honor of the 400th Anniversary of William Shakespeare's death, Jessica Lang Dance will present the NY premiere of Sweet Silent Thought, inspired by five of the Master's sonnets.  The work  features readings of Sonnets 30, 40, 64, 71 and 105, by actors Chris Myers (Obie Award, Octoroon),  Chukwudi Iwuji (Shakespeare Festival's King Lear) and Nilanjana Bose-Ciupinska,  as part of the company's week-long season at The Joyce, running June 14 – 19, 2016.

Jessica Lang Dance, under the artistic direction of choreographer Jessica Lang, will celebrate its 5th Anniversary season with a week-long engagement at The Joyce Theater on June 14 – 19, 2016, featuring five pieces, including three New York premieres. There will be a post-performance Curtain Chat discussion with Lang and dancers from the company following the performance on June 15.

Although Jessica Lang Dance was founded in 2011, Artistic Director Jessica Lang is no newcomer to the dance scene. Lang, a disciple of Twyla Tharp, is on the faculty of American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and has been an active choreographer since 1999. Lang's signature style marries classical movements with a "striking design element." This theme played out through Jessica Lang Dance's performance at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium, an evening co-presented with Washington Performing Arts and City Dance. The graphic component in particular was inconsistent throughout the evening and did not always further Lang's artistic vision.

Jessica Lang Dance premiered The Wanderer at BAM Fisher in a wintery diorama that showcased Artistic Director and Choreographer Jessica Lang's comprehensive design. Starting a few minutes late on Friday, December 5th allowed time to observe the stage. Five white trees made of coiled rope hung from the ceiling, four white ledges protruded from one wall, a white ladder dangled in the balcony, and a white marley floor tracked a U-shape filled with black marley. In this minimalist scape, Lang's dancers morphed from beings to elements of nature with Schubert's libretto (The Fair Maid of the Mill).

Jessica Lang Dance performed in New York City this week at the Joyce Theater and it did not disappoint. The choreography never failed to be completely original and the cast performed with pristine technique. The show was under two hours and showcased three New York premiers and returning pieces. All movement was impeccably set to music from Handel,Trio Mediaeval,Ciupinski,John and Thomas Metcalf,Mendelssohn, and Edvard Grieg. Jessica Lang truly shows us culture through her eyes with a captivating performance. Furthermore, Jessica Lang Dance truly puts heart into every detail of their performance. The company's return to the Joyce Theater is no exception and became another reason why dance in New York City is never a disappointment.

Company XIV and The Saint At Large are announcing a one week extension for the critically acclaimed New York Premiere of Nutcracker Rouge, conceived, directed and choreographed by Austin McCormick, with a script adapted and written by Jeff Takacs. Nutcracker Rouge's Off-Broadway run began on November 30, 2013 and now extends with six added performances through January 12, 2014 at the Minetta Lane Theatre, located at 18 Minetta Lane between MacDougal Street and 6th Avenue in New York City. The show officially opened on December 4.

Company XIV and The Saint At Large present the New York Premiere of Nutcracker Rouge, conceived, directed and choreographed by Austin McCormick, with a script adapted and written by Jeff Takacs. Nutcracker Rouge runs Off-Broadway through January 5, 2014 in a limited 6-week engagement at the Minetta Lane Theatre, located at 18 Minetta Lane between MacDougal Street and 6th Avenue in New York City. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

Company XIV and The Saint At Large proudly present the New York Premiere of Nutcracker Rouge, conceived, directed and choreographed by Austin McCormick, with a script adapted and written by Jeff Takacs. Nutcracker Rouge runs Off-Broadway through January 5, 2014 in a limited 6-week engagement at the Minetta Lane Theatre, located at 18 Minetta Lane between MacDougal Street and 6th Avenue in New York City. Previews began November 30, and the show officially opened on December 4. Check out a look back below!

Company XIV and The Saint At Large present the New York Premiere of Nutcracker Rouge, conceived, directed and choreographed by Austin McCormick, with a script adapted and written by Jeff Takacs. Nutcracker Rouge runs Off-Broadway from November 30, 2013 to January 5, 2014 in a limited 6-week engagement at the Minetta Lane Theatre, located at 18 Minetta Lane between MacDougal Street and 6th Avenue in New York City. Previews begin November 30 for a December 4 opening.

Company XIV and The Saint At Large present the New York Premiere of Nutcracker Rouge, conceived, directed and choreographed by Austin Mccormick, with a script adapted and written by Jeff Takacs. Nutcracker Rouge runs Off-Broadway from tonight, November 29, 2013 to January 5, 2014 in a limited 6-week engagement at the Minetta Lane Theatre, located at 18 Minetta Lane between MacDougal Street and 6th Avenue in New York City. Previews begin November 29 for a December 4 opening. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Company XIV and The Saint At Large present the New York Premiere of Nutcracker Rouge, conceived, directed and choreographed by Austin McCormick, with a script adapted and written by Jeff Takacs. Nutcracker Rouge runs Off-Broadway from November 29, 2013 to January 5, 2014 in a limited 6-week engagement at the Minetta Lane Theatre, located at 18 Minetta Lane between MacDougal Street and 6th Avenue in New York City. Previews begin November 29 for a December 4 opening. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Company XIV and The Saint At Large will present the New York Premiere of Nutcracker Rouge, conceived, directed and choreographed by Austin McCormick, with a script adapted and written by Jeff Takacs. Nutcracker Rouge runs Off-Broadway from November 29, 2013 to January 5, 2014 in a limited 6-week engagement at the Minetta Lane Theatre, located at 18 Minetta Lane between MacDougal Street and 6th Avenue in New York City. Previews begin November 29 for a December 4 opening.

From today, August 7-11 in the Doris Duke Theatre, Jacob's Pillow presents the highly anticipated return of Jessica Lang Dance, a contemporary ballet company led by Artistic Director and choreographer Jessica Lang. The company debuted at the Pillow during the 2012 Festival to rave reviews and sold-out performances. Jessica Lang Dance returns this season with five works, including a world premiere.