Mark Morris Dance Group

Mark Morris Dance Group. Founded in 1980 by choreographer Mark Morris, the company has established itself as one of the world’s leading dance organizations, renowned for its musicality, wit, and expressive depth. Based in Brooklyn, New York City, the ensemble performs an extensive repertory created by Morris, who serves as its artistic director. The group tours internationally and is celebrated for its live music collaborations and the technical prowess of its dancers.

History

The Mark Morris Dance Group was formed in 1980 following Morris's early work with companies like the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company and the Laura Dean Dancers and Musicians. Its first performances were in New York City at venues such as the Merce Cunningham Studio. The company gained significant recognition after a triumphant 1984 season at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, leading to regular appearances at major festivals including the Edinburgh International Festival and the Next Wave Festival. In 1988, Morris was appointed director of dance at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, where the company served as the national dance company of Belgium for three years, creating several major works. The ensemble returned to the United States in 1991, and in 2001, it moved into its permanent home, the Mark Morris Dance Center, in the Brooklyn Academy of Music Cultural District.

Repertory and style

The company's repertory, entirely choreographed by Mark Morris, is vast and eclectic, encompassing over 150 works. Morris's style is fundamentally musical, often described as creating "dance that sings," with movement that directly responds to rhythmic and harmonic structures. His choreography rejects the abstraction of Merce Cunningham and the narrative extremes of Martha Graham, instead favoring clarity, formal invention, and emotional resonance. Works range from intimate pieces set to Bach and Chopin to large-scale evening-length productions like L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato (1988) and The Hard Nut (1991), his deconstruction of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. The repertory is noted for its use of gender-neutral roles and its blend of vernacular, ballet, and modern dance vocabularies.

Collaborations and music

Live music is a cornerstone of the company's identity, with Morris insisting on performances accompanied by orchestras, chamber ensembles, and vocalists. The group maintains a close, long-standing partnership with the Mark Morris Dance Group Music Ensemble, featuring conductors like Robert Cole and pianists such as Colin Fowler. Major collaborations include works with the White Oak Dance Project, founded by Mikhail Baryshnikov, and opera productions for institutions like the Metropolitan Opera and the English National Opera. Morris has created dances to scores by composers ranging from Henry Purcell and George Frideric Handel to Lou Harrison and John Zorn. His celebrated collaboration with cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble resulted in the suite Falling Down Stairs.

Critical reception and legacy

The Mark Morris Dance Group has received consistent critical acclaim for its intellectual rigor, artistic integrity, and accessibility. Major publications like The New York Times and The Guardian have hailed Morris as "the most musical of choreographers" and a vital voice in contemporary dance. The company has been honored with numerous awards, including a Laurence Olivier Award and several Bessie Awards. Its influence extends through the widespread presentation of Morris's works by other prestigious companies, including the San Francisco Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre, and the Royal Ballet. The group's commitment to music education and community engagement further solidifies its legacy as a cultural institution.

Company and school

The professional company consists of approximately 18 dancers, known for their individual character and strong technical foundation in both modern and ballet techniques. The affiliated Mark Morris Dance Center houses the company's administrative offices, rehearsal studios, and a robust school offering community dance classes for all ages and abilities. The center also hosts the Dance for PD program, a pioneering initiative offering dance classes for people with Parkinson's disease, developed in partnership with the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. The organization's educational outreach includes workshops, lecture-demonstrations, and student matinee performances, fostering the next generation of dance audiences and practitioners.

Category:Dance companies in the United States Category:Modern dance companies Category:1980 establishments in New York City