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Richmond Ballet performs Jessica Lang’s works in New York
2/11/2008
RICHMOND BALLET
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2008
Media Contact:
Aaron Sutten
Director of Marketing and Communications
Richmond Ballet
(804) 344-0906 x244
asutten@richmondballet.com
Women and the Sea: A Tribute to Will Barnet,
choreographed by Jessica Lang
Richmond Ballet performs Jessica Lang’s works in New York
RICHMOND — With her New York City full-evening debut in mind,
choreographer Jessica Lang knew exactly which company of dancers would
best represent her work: Richmond Ballet. In March, the professional
company will perform three of Lang’s works during a special event at
Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts celebrating her innovative
choreography.
In addition to the dancers’ intimate
understanding of Lang’s unique style, Richmond Ballet’s recent
successes performing in New York City also makes the company the
perfect choice for Lang. This will mark Richmond Ballet’s third
engagement in New York City in four years; the company had its New York
debut at the Joyce Theater in 2005 and participated in a critically
acclaimed tribute to American choreographer John Butler there in 2007.
Lang's three New York City premieres will include La Belle Danse, Women and the Sea: A Tribute to Will Barnet and To Familiar Spaces In Dream,
all of which were commissioned by and premiered at Richmond Ballet.
The performance will be followed by a discussion with Lang.
In To Familiar Spaces in Dream,
Lang interpreted the compelling piano music of Craig Armstrong, John
Cage and Philip Glass. The dancers in this piece, which Lang created
on Richmond Ballet in 2005 and then brought back to Richmond in
November 2007, interact with eight boxes of varying sizes to represent
white piano keys and an octave of music.
The inspiration for her May 2006 work, Women and the Sea: A Tribute to Will Barnet,
came from a different medium: visual art. Lang brought to life three
paintings by acclaimed New York artist Will Barnet in a piece with a
dramatic set and rich lighting, both designed by Richmond Ballet’s
Production Director Michael Stewart, that allowed the dancers to step
into Barnet’s paintings.
Lang added La Belle Danse to
Richmond Ballet’s repertory in September 2007. Knowing she would take
this new work to Brooklyn, she intentionally choreographed a piece that
would offer a contrast to the other two works. Using Renaissance and
Baroque music by Handel, Desprez, Mozart and Corelli, and drawing from
her studies of Baroque dance at Julliard, Lang created a vibrant piece
that radiates energy to its audience.
By inviting Richmond
Ballet to showcase her work in Brooklyn, Lang will continue her
collaborative relationship with Richmond Ballet. The evening, part of
Brooklyn College’s 2007-08 World of Dance series, will be the first performance in Brooklyn Center’s newly launched New Work/New York
initiative, which supports multidisciplinary artists in the creation of
works that receive their New York and/or world premiere at Brooklyn
Center.
About Jessica Lang
In addition to Richmond Ballet, Lang has created work on companies
including Colorado Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Washington Ballet,
Saint Louis Ballet, Connecticut Ballet, ABT II, Ailey II, Hubbard
Street 2, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Ballet de Monterey and New York
City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute. She has received numerous
grants for her choreography, including three NEA grants in sole support
of her new creations on Richmond Ballet and Colorado Ballet in 2007, as
well as for Milwaukee Ballet in 2008.
Lang is a graduate of The Juilliard School and a former member of Twyla Tharp's company "THARP!"
She is currently a faculty member at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
School at American Ballet Theatre as well as for ABT’s summer programs
in NYC.
Upcoming 2008 commissions include Milwaukee Ballet,
Cincinnati Ballet and New York University Tisch School of the Arts. To
learn more, visit www.jesslang.com.
About Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Founded in 1954, the mission of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
is to present outstanding performing arts and arts education programs,
reflective of Brooklyn’s diverse communities, at affordable prices.
Brooklyn Center’s presentations explore both the classical traditions
and bold contemporary performances, embracing the world culture that
defines Brooklyn. Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts welcomes
over 70,000 people annually, including 42,000 schoolchildren from over
225 schools, in the 2,400-seat Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College.
Fast Facts:
Who? Richmond Ballet, Stoner Winslett, Artistic Director. www.richmondballet.com
What?
Richmond Ballet: Works by Jessica Lang
Presented by Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
La Belle Danse
Choreography by Jessica Lang
Music by George Frideric Handel, Arcangelo Corelli,
Josquin Des Prez and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Costume Design by Tamara Cobus
Lighting and Set Design by MK Stewart
Women and the Sea: A Tribute to Will Barnet
Choreography by Jessica Lang
Music by Henryk Górecki
Costume Design by Tamara Cobus
Lighting and Set Design by MK Stewart
To Familiar Spaces in Dream
Choreography by Jessica Lang
Music by Philip Glass, Craig Armstrong and John Cage
Costume Design by Tamara Cobus
Lighting Design by MK Stewart
Set Design by Jessica Lang
When? March 1, 2008, at 8 p.m.
Where? Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College
2900 Campus Road, Brooklyn (one block from the junction of Flatbush and Nostrand Avenues)
How much? Tickets are $25. Call the Brooklyn Center box office at (718) 951-4500, Tues.-Sat., 1-6 p.m., or purchase tickets online at www.BrooklynCenterOnline.org.
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Richmond
Ballet, The State Ballet of Virginia, is dedicated to the education,
promotion, preservation and continuing evolution of the art form of
ballet. Richmond Ballet strives to keep meaningful works of dance
alive and to produce and foster new works that remain true to these
values. Now in its 24th professional season, Richmond Ballet's mission
is to "awaken and uplift the human spirit, both for audiences and
dancers."
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For further press information contact:
Aaron Sutten, Director of Marketing and Communications
EMAIL: asutten@richmondballet.com; CALL: (804) 344-0906 x244