L.A. Dance Project Explained

L.A. Dance Project
Website:www.ladanceproject.org
Ballet Master:Sebastien 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

YearRepertoryChoreographerPremieredNotes
20195 Live CalibrationsMadeline HollanderTheatre des Champs-Elysees, ParisMusic by Celia Hollander. Later performed at the Louvre Abu Dhabi
2019Adagio in B MinorJanie TaylorL.A. Dance Project Performance SpaceTaylor's Choreography debut
2012Attitude du CageNathan Makolandra and Julia EichtenSmithsonian Museum, Washington D.C.Performed as part of John Cage Centennial
2018Chapter SongKyle AbrahamMoody Performance Hall, Dallas
2006CloserBenjamin MillepiedJoyce Theater, New York CityCreated by Millepied prior to creation of L.A. Dance Project
2015Harbor MeSidi Larbi CherkaouiThéâtre du Châtelet, Paris
2014Hearts and ArrowsBenjamin MillepiedOlympia Theatre, Miami
2014HelixJustin PeckWalt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
2016HomecomingBenjamin MillepiedThe Theatre, Ace Hotel Los AngelesMusic performed live by Rufus Wainwright
2018HomewardBenjamin MillepiedHauser & Wirth, Los AngelesMusic by Bryce Dessner
2019I fall, I flow, I meltBenjamin MillepiedL.A. Dance Project Performance SpaceCostumes by Alessandro Sartori
2014II Acts for the BlindRoy Assaf
2017In Silence We SpeakBenjamin MillepiedJoyce Theater, New York CityMusic by David Lang
2019KinaesonataBella LewitzkyTheatre des Champs-Elysees, ParisRevival of work from 1970. New scenic design by Charles Gaines
2019KoraCharm La'DonnaL.A. Dance Project Performance SpaceScenic design by Njideka Akunyili Crosby
2016Martha Graham DuetsMartha GrahamJoyce Theater, New York CityExcerpted from Canticle for Innocent Comedians and Diversion of Angels
2016MinEventMerce CunninghamHammer Museum, Los AngelesArranged and Staged by Silas Riener
2013Morgan's Last ChugEmanuel GatMaison de la danse, Lyon
2012Moving PartsBenjamin MillepiedWalt Disney Concert Hall, Los AngelesMusic by Nico Muhly, Visual Installation by Christopher Wool
2013Murder BalladesJustin PeckMaison de la danse, LyonVisual Installation by Sterling Ruby
2021Night BloomJanie TaylorL.A. Dance Project, 2245 East Washington Blvd Premiered in outdoor performance space, during COVID-19 pandemic
2016On The Other SideBenjamin MillepiedSadlers Wells, LondonArt by Mark Bradford
2017Orpheus HighwayBenjamin MillepiedJoyce Theater, New York CitySet to Triple Quartet by Steve Reich
2014Peripheral StreamHiroaki UmedaThéâtre du Châtelet, Paris
2012QuintettWalt Disney Concert Hall, Los AngelesRevival of work from 1993
2013ReflectionsThéâtre du Châtelet, ParisVisual Installation and Costume Design by Barbara Kruger
2022Romeo and Juliet Suite La Seine Musicale, ParisAdaptation 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
2022Be Here NowThéâtre du Châtelet, ParisVisual and Video Installation by Barbara Kruger, Music by Andy Akiho and Caroline Shaw
2019Rising WaterL.A. Dance Project Performance Space
2018Run From Me
2009SarabandeOriginally choreographed for Millepied's pick-up troupe Danses Concertantes
2022Quartet for FiveBobbi Jene Smith and Or SchraiberThéâtre du Châtelet, Paris
2022Elastic BalletMadeline HollanderThéâtre du Châtelet, Paris
2022Everyone Keeps MePam TanowitzThéâtre du Châtelet, ParisOriginally created for the Royal Ballet, London
2017Second QuartetNoé SoulierLa Cours des Forges, Parc des Ateliers, ArlesCreated during LUMA Foundation residency
2020Solo at DuskBobbi Jene Smith and Or SchraiberL.A. Dance Project Performance Space Premiered in outdoor performance space, during COVID-19 pandemic
2019Split StepEmily Mast and Zack Winokur in collaboration with dancers of L.A. Dance ProjectL.A. Dance Project Performance Space
2020The BetweensJermaine Spivey and Spenser Theberge in collaboration with dancers of L.A. Dance ProjectL.A. Dance Project Performance SpacePremiered in outdoor performance space, during COVID-19 pandemic
2019(untitled) (2018/19)Tino SehgalTheatre des Champs-Elysees, ParisLater performed at the Louvre Abu Dhabi
2012WinterbranchMerce CunninghamWalt Disney Concert Hall, Los AngelesRevival of 1963 work. Visual and Costume Design by Robert Rauschenberg
2017YagOhad NaharinJoyce Theater, New York CityRevival of 1993 work
2023Unstill LifeBenjamin MillepiedNuits de Fourvière, LyonPerformed and conceived by Millepied and Alexandre Tharaud
2023The Missing MountainBobbi Jene Smith and Or SchraiberL.A. Dance Project Performance Space
2022Festival in MotionBenjamin 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 GjokaVarious, Doha, QatarL.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]
2024Me.You.We.TheyPhilharmonie de ParisMusic by Nico Muhly
2024TriadePhilharmonie de ParisMusic by Nico Muhly

Notes and References

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