Company Wayne McGregor

Company Wayne McGregor
Name	Company Wayne McGregor
Founded	1992
Founder	Wayne McGregor
Location	London
Genre	Contemporary dance
Website	companywaynemcgregor.com

Company Wayne McGregor is a London-based contemporary dance company founded in 1992 by choreographer Wayne McGregor. The ensemble has established an international profile through commissions, residencies, and touring with a repertoire that bridges dance, science, technology, and visual arts. The company has collaborated with artists and institutions across theatre, film, music, visual art, and research, creating works staged at major venues and festivals worldwide.

History

Company Wayne McGregor was established in 1992 by Wayne McGregor after early projects with Random Dance collaborators and engagements in the West End and Royal Opera House studios. Early seasons included performances at Sadler's Wells Theatre, Southbank Centre, and the Barbican Centre, leading to commissions from institutions such as Royal Ballet and festivals like Edinburgh International Festival. Growth through the 2000s brought partnerships with international companies including Paris Opera Ballet, Bayerisches Staatsballett, and New York City Ballet, alongside collaborations with research organisations such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology labs and the Wellcome Trust. Residencies at venues including The Shed, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Manchester International Festival supported new works that toured to festivals like Jacques Offenbach Festival and presentations at institutions such as Tate Modern and Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artistic Vision and Choreography

The company's choreographic approach reflects Wayne McGregor's interest in cognitive science, biomechanics, and computational design, drawing on research from organisations like European Research Council, University College London, Imperial College London, and labs associated with Alan Turing Institute. Visual and stage concepts often arise from collaborations with artists linked to Royal Academy of Arts, Serpentine Galleries, and designers known for work with BBC Proms and Frieze Art Fair. Musical collaborations have involved composers and ensembles such as Max Richter, Philip Glass, Steve Reich, London Symphony Orchestra, and BBC Symphony Orchestra, integrating scores with motion-capture and digital technologies developed at institutions like Google DeepMind and MIT Media Lab.

Repertory and Notable Works

The repertory includes premieres and restagings that have been presented at venues including Palais Garnier, Kursaal, and Teatro alla Scala. Notable works range from early pieces influenced by contemporary art movements seen at Serpentine Gallery to large-scale productions for companies such as Royal Ballet and collaborations referenced in programming for Lincoln Center and Sydney Opera House. Signature productions have been shown at festivals like Venice Biennale, Spoleto Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, and events at institutions including The National Theatre and Shakespeare's Globe.

Collaborations and Commissions

The company has been commissioned by organisations including Royal Opera House, Royal Ballet, Opera National de Paris, New York Philharmonic, BBC Proms, and corporate and cultural institutions such as Google Arts & Culture and Arts Council England. Collaborators have included choreographers and artists associated with Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Pina Bausch Tanztheater, and designers who have worked at Metropolitan Museum of Art and Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Film and multimedia collaborations have connected the company with filmmakers linked to British Film Institute programming and composers active with Deutsche Grammophon and Nonesuch Records.

Company Members and Leadership

Leadership comprises founding choreographer Wayne McGregor and artistic directors and rehearsal staff who have trained at institutions like Royal Ballet School, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, and Juilliard School. Dancers have included performers from ensembles such as English National Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, Batsheva Dance Company, and freelance artists with credits at Cirque du Soleil. Creative teams have brought together lighting designers and costume makers linked to Royal Shakespeare Company, set designers from productions at National Theatre of Greece, and dramaturgs affiliated with Royal Court Theatre.

Tours, Performances, and Residencies

Tours have taken the company to venues and festivals including Sadler's Wells Theatre, Barbican Centre, Lincoln Centre, Paris Opera, Teatro Real, and cities such as New York City, Paris, Tokyo, Sydney, and Berlin. Residencies have been held at research hubs and cultural centres like The Shed, Tate Modern, Southbank Centre, and universities including King's College London and Goldsmiths, University of London. The company’s touring schedule has featured participation in international seasons curated by institutions such as British Council and programming at events like Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Performa Biennial.

Awards and Recognition

Company Wayne McGregor and Wayne McGregor have received awards and honours from bodies including Laurence Olivier Awards, Benois de la Danse, South Bank Sky Arts Awards, and accolades connected to institutions such as Royal Opera House and Arts Council England. Institutional recognition includes fellowships and grants from organisations like Wellcome Trust, European Commission, and awards associated with British Academy of Film and Television Arts ceremonies. Critical acclaim has come from major publications and reviewers who cover seasons at Sadler's Wells, Barbican, and international festivals such as Venice Biennale and Edinburgh International Festival.

Category:Contemporary dance companies