William Forsythe News

Now in its 10th year, English National Ballet's Emerging Dancer competition returned to Sadler's Wells on 7 May 7 with six finalists, all members of ENB's corps de ballet, competing for the title.

Glorya Kaufman, in 2012, instituted the first new school at the University of Southern California in 40 years; the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, to broaden the curriculum for obtaining a professional dance degree, or BFA. Up until that time, most colleges and universities offered classes in mostly ballet and modern styles, and courses regarding the history of dance and noted choreographers, which gives a solid foundation to become a concert dancer; but here in Los Angeles, especially, there is such a wide variety of dance styles, mediums, and avenues dancers nowadays can take and branch out with a much more focused, but well-rounded and complete acquired knowledge base. The USC Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center, with space for USC Kaufman's entire curriculum for The New Movement, officially opened October 5, 2016. It is a brick-and-mortar celebration of dance and movement, giving the school's leaders Dean Robert Cutietta and Vice Dean and Artistic Director Jodie Gates a unique opportunity to rethink the vision of a professional dance degree and build a diverse, flexible, globally-minded curriculum unencumbered by previous outdated requirements. The dancers in training in today's world are much more prepared to tackle their future because of programs and curriculums like these. And to be of an age where you have the opportunity to attend a higher education institution with such specificity so early in life is incredibly valuable. This will be the very first graduating class, and after seeing them perform at their Spring Dance Performance last week at USC's Bing Theatre I have no doubt they all will succeed at their hopes and dreams, and will greatly contribute to a myriad of artistic endeavors and accomplishments.

Ballet BC makes its BAM debut in celebration of 10 years of Emily Molnar's artistic direction. In a decade's time, Molnar has turned the financially strapped company into one of the most potent dance forces in Canada, with a determined focus on contemporary ballet and artistic collaboration. 

For the first time in over a decade, Houston Ballet brings back Copp lia, a family-friendly treasure created by former Houston Ballet Artistic Director Ben Stevenson OBE. Serving as Artistic Director of Houston Ballet from 1976 to 2003, Stevenson developed a wide repertory and is credited with transforming Houston Ballet into one of America's leading ballet companies.

After returning from the historic debut in Paris, which received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, Boston Ballet is proud to announce a varied schedule of tours and appearances this year, starting with debut performances at Boston Calling Music Festival in May 2019, followed by Jacob's Pillow in August, and ending at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Ontario in November. 

From May 3-5, the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College, SUNY, will present a compelling program of world premieres and modern and contemporary masterpieces accompanied by live music.

Now celebrating the 24th anniversary in Houston and the 27th season since its inception in Brussels, Belgium, Dance Salad Festival promises another gathering of world-class performers. Famous in their own countries, classical and contemporary dancers share the Dance Salad Festival stage to form a mix of movement and compelling choreography.

Houston Ballet announces Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM has promoted Nozomi Iijima to the rank of Principal. Formerly a First Soloist, Iijima was promoted on the evening of March 1, 2019 after dancing the title role in Welch's Sylvia. This well-deserved promotion adds to the continued excitement of Houston Ballet's whirlwind of spring productions during its 2018/19 season.

We'll be updating the list of nominees LIVE throughout this evening's Olivier Awards from London's Royal Albert Hall - winners are indicated IN BOLD!

The 2018-2019 Season will conclude with works by three of America's most recognized and acclaimed choreographers brought together on stage for the THARP PARSONS FORSYTHE program May 10-19 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. With more than 160 choreographed dances to her name, Twyla Tharp is a legendary master of her craft and her In the Upper Room is a tour-de-force of athleticism, built on a pulsating score by Philip Glass.

The Shed, New York City's new arts center dedicated to commissioning, develops, and presents original works of art, across all disciplines, for all audiences, will open to the public on April 5 with the world premiere of Soundtrack of America. The five-night concert series, conceived and directed by Steve McQueen with a creative team led by Quincy Jones and Maureen Mahon, celebrates the unrivaled impact of African American music on contemporary culture with performances by a new generation of artists. A free live stream of the April 5 concert will be available on The Shed's website, TheShed.org, and its social media channels.

Japan Society presents You Took a Part of Me, a dance production with choreography by "punk ballerina" Karole Armitage, performed by her company Armitage Gone! Dance.  You Took a Part of Me arrives at Japan Society (333 East 47th Street) for two performances only: Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 at 7:30pm.

Boston Calling, celebrating its 10th edition this year on Memorial Day Weekend, May 24 - 26, and headlined by Twenty One Pilots (Friday), Tame Impala (Saturday), and Travis Scott (Sunday), reveals more exciting details about the bevy of artists set to take over the festival's Arena stage. Fans will be treated to one-of-a-kind performances from Boston Ballet, one of the most iconic dance companies in the world. In addition, all-star comedians Fred Armisen, Jenny Slate, and Michael Chewill headline the Arena stage. At night, fans can enjoy performances from hip-hop artists and DJs including electronic artist and rising star Yaeji; female rappers Princess Nokiaand Dessa; and DJ sets from internationally known electro-funk duo Chromeo, and hip-hop electro sensation Naeem. Please find further details below.

Houston Ballet is delighted to present a mixed repertory program of ballets never before seen in Houston, Premieres. The program includes works by three of the most respected choreographers working today: Aszure Barton, Ji Kyli n and Justin Peck. Designed to showcase the extraordinary talent and exceptional proficiencies of Houston Ballet dancers, Premieres is a program not to be missed.

Rediscover world-class grace and virtuosity, from titans of the repertoire to innovative original voices, as part of the 2019-2020 ballet and contemporary dance season at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The upcoming season-among the nation's most robust and dynamic-features the breadth of iconic and cutting-edge choreography performed by today's foremost companies.

Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr has promoted two corps de ballet dancers to the rank of soloist for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's 50th Anniversary Season, which runs from October 2019 to May 2020.

Boston Ballet's 2018-2019 spring season opens with Full on Forsythe, a program that showcases the many facets of acclaimed choreographer William Forsythe with three of his works including Playlist (EP), Forsythe's first world premiere created on an American company since 1992, the North American premiere of Blake Works I, and the return of Pas/Parts 2018. Full on Forsythe runs March 7-17 at the Boston Opera House.

Today (Tuesday 5 March), actors Sheila Atim and Giles Terera announced the nominations for the Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard, which takes place on Sunday 7 April at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Jason Manford.

Velocity is thrilled to present Parts to a Sum (tentative title), Mark Haim's newest solo opus that premieres at Velocity April 5-13 in 2019. Haim has created work for some of the world's most celebrated dance companies including the companies of William Forsythe, Jose Limon and Nederlands Dance Theatre. Now in his late 50s, for Parts to a Sum Haim will connect 371 individuals across nearly 100 years and 20 countries. Specifically, Haim is gathering 371 "dance prayers" from people he has known through his exceptional international career, including friends, families, mentors, colleagues, students, and some of the most beloved dance artists from Seattle and around the globe. Performing this chain of movements from "oldest to youngest" (ages 93-2.5), Haim's performance ritual is a meditation on life and human interconnectedness.

The Boards of Directors of New York City Ballet (NYCB) and its affiliate training academy, the School of American Ballet (SAB), today announced the appointment of Jonathan Stafford as Artistic Director of NYCB and SAB, and Wendy Whelan as Associate Artistic Director of NYCB, establishing the esteemed former NYCB dancers, SAB alumni, and prominent industry notables as the next generation of artistic leadership at two of the world's most acclaimed and storied dance institutions.