John Heginbotham News

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) today announced details for its 2017 regional programs, including a new long-term institutional partnership with the Center for the Art of Performance at University of California Los Angeles (CAP UCLA) that represents YoungArts' deepening roots in the area, and further expands the organization's resources and reach on the West Coast.

San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock and Music Director Nicola Luisotti today announced plans for the 2017-18 repertory season. The Company's 95th season will open Friday, September 8 with a gala performance of Giacomo Puccini'sTurandot led by Maestro Luisotti and an international cast starring Martina Serafin, Maria Agresta and Brian Jagde.

Following the critical acclaim and record-breaking attendance of Festival 2016, Jacob's Pillow Dance announces its 85th Anniversary Season of exciting programming featuring world premieres, commissions, site-specific work, international artists, live music, and Pillow-exclusive engagements.

Mark Morris Dance Group will return to BAM for the 25th anniversary of The Hard Nut, Dec 10-18, 2016.

Juilliard Dance, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, presents New Dances: Edition 2016 featuring four world-premiere dances by choreographers John Heginbotham (First-Year Dancers), Katarzyna Skarpetowska, (Second-Year Dancers), Pam Tanowitz (Third-Year Dancers), and Matthew Neenan (Fourth-Year Dancers).  Heginbotham and Skarpetowska are Juilliard alums, and Tanowitz and Neenan are returning as New Dances choreographers. 

Mark Morris Dance Group will return to BAM for the 25th anniversary of The Hard Nut, Dec 10-18, 2016.

The Works & Process Rotunda Projects Initiative Gala at the Guggenheim Museum raised more than $450,000 in commissioning funds for the Works & Process Rotunda Projects program. The announced initiative will expand the Guggenheim's Works & Process program's commissioned performances into the museum's iconic rotunda. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

On Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 7:30pm, Works & Process at The Guggenheim presents excerpts of new works by four innovative choreographers performed by Juilliard Dance students prior to premiere-John Heginbotham (1st year); Katarzyna Skarpetowska (2nd year); Pam Tanowitz (3rd year); and Matthew Neenan (4th year). Artistic director Lawrence Rhodes discusses the creative process with the choreographers.

Strengthening its role as a center for artist research and development, Jacob's Pillow Dance announces an active, year-round season with its expanded 2016-2017 Creative Development Residency program. This season brings new additions to the program including two technical residencies, cross-genre collaborations, and invited audiences of college students, as well as a diverse roster of 10 artist residencies, the Pillow's largest residency season yet.

In what has become an annual holiday tradition, Works & Process at the Guggenheim presents ten performances of Sergei Prokofiev's charming children's classic, Peter & the Wolf. Reviving the sold-out 2015 production, for the tenth year, renowned fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi will narrate the production. Brad Lubman will conduct Ensemble Signal.

The NY Dance and Performance Awards, The Bessies, New York City's premier dance awards honoring outstanding creative work in the field, today announced the nominees for the 2015-16 season. Scroll down for the full list!

Lately, it seems that no matter where you turn you are assaulted with frightening news, disheartening images, and arguing politicians. It's gotten so upsetting that no one would fault you for thinking that this is the worst of all possible worlds. However, if you are tired of thinking the worst of society and your fellow man, there is no better antidote than the Orlando Philharmonic's joyous and playful production of Leonard Bernstein's light opera CANDIDE, running through Sunday, October 16th at Plaza Live Orlando.

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra presents Leonard Bernstein's Candide, the first operetta in the Opera Series on October 13, 14, and 16. Bernstein's zany operetta takes Candide on a comic adventure around the world. Performances will be at The Plaza Live Theater, 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando, Florida.

On Saturday, August 27, Jacob's Pillow Dance announced plans to build a new dance studio on the historic Jacob's Pillow campus. The announcement was made by Director Pamela Tatge at the Pillow's 2016 Festival Finale, with the official ground-breaking ceremony to take place at the Pillow on Friday, October 14 at 5pm.

Works & Process at the Guggenheim is pleased to announce its fall 2016 season.

Works & Process at the Guggenheim is pleased to announce its fall 2016 season. Since 1984 the performing-arts series has championed new works and offered audiences unprecedented access to leading creators and performers. Each intimate program blends performance with stimulating conversation with the creators, and takes place in the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum's Frank Lloyd Wright-designed, 285-seat Peter B. Lewis Theater. Described by the New York Times as 'an exceptional opportunity to understand something of the creative process,' Works & Process is produced by founder Mary Sharp Cronson. A season preview video is available and further details can be found at worksandprocess.org.

ODC Theater is proud to present RAWdance in the world premiere of Double Exposure, a series of 12 duets each choreographed by a different West Coast choreographer or choreographic team. Artistic Directors Ryan T. Smith andWendy Rein are the evening's sole performers in an event they're calling 'the ultimate duet.' Double Exposure runs July 28 - 31, Thursday to Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 - $45, and may be purchased online at odcdance.org/tickets or by phone at 415.863.9834.

The NY Dance and Performance Awards, The Bessies, New York City's premier dance awards honoring outstanding creative work in the field, today announced the nominees for the 2015-16 season. Scroll down for the full list!

Juilliard Dance, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, opens its season in December with New Dances: Edition 2016 featuring four world-premiere dances by innovative choreographers John Heginbotham, an alumnus of Juilliard who will be working with the first-year class; Katarzyna Skarpetowska, an alumna of Juilliard who will be working with the second-year class; Pam Tanowitz, who is returning to New Dances and will be working with the third-year class; and Matthew Neenan, also a returning choreographer, who will be working with the fourth-year class. All 96 students in Juilliard's Dance Division will participate inNew Dances.

My introduction to YoungArts happened on Wednesday evening, April 13, 2016 at Pearl Studios near Penn Station. The seventh floor of this dance facility was converted into their intensive week of interdisciplinary workshops, seminars, and master classes with renowned leaders in their fields. Since I am a dance reviewer, I was honored to observe a master class with Guest Teacher John Heginbotham. I was surprised that only five dancers were in attendance.  Usually, most master classes are packed wall-to-wall with dance students. Later on, I was informed that this intimate setting was designed like that because YoungArts wants to make sure that their artists have the dedicated attention of teachers such as Mr. Heginbotham. A quintet of an elite group.