Hofesh Shechter Company

Hofesh Shechter Company
Name	Hofesh Shechter Company
Founded	2008
Founder	Hofesh Shechter
Location	London, United Kingdom
Genre	Contemporary dance, postmodern dance

Hofesh Shechter Company is a contemporary dance company founded by choreographer Hofesh Shechter in London. The ensemble emerged from the contemporary dance and theatre scenes, presenting work that synthesizes influences from folk dance, ballet, modern dance, and electronic music within large-scale productions. The company collaborates with theatres, festivals, and cultural institutions across Europe and worldwide.

History

The company's origins trace to choreographer Hofesh Shechter's early career with institutions such as the Bat-Dor Dance Company, Batsheva Dance Company, Rambert Dance Company, and freelance projects in venues like Sadler's Wells, Barbican Centre, Royal Opera House, Manchester International Festival, and Edinburgh Festival Fringe. After the premiere of seminal works presented at New York City Center, The Place, La Scala, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Biennale di Venezia, Shechter formalized the ensemble in London to tour pieces throughout networks including Lincoln Center, Centre Pompidou, Vienna Festwochen, Théâtre de la Ville, and Staatsoper Berlin. The company's development intersected with funding and partnerships involving bodies such as the Arts Council England, Jerwood Foundation, British Council, and private patrons connected to venues like Royal Festival Hall and Southbank Centre.

Artistic Style and Influences

The company's aesthetic blends visceral physicality and percussive rhythm influenced by choreographers and movements linked to Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Pina Bausch, William Forsythe, Trisha Brown, Alvin Ailey, Jerome Robbins, and the Judson Dance Theater. Shechter's background includes training associated with institutions such as The Juilliard School, London Contemporary Dance School, and collaborations echoing composers and musicians like Igor Stravinsky, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Krzysztof Penderecki, and contemporary producers tied to Rough Trade Records and Ninja Tune. Visual and theatrical references draw from companies and artists such as DV8 Physical Theatre, Complicite, Robert Wilson, Peter Brook, Guy Maddin, and designers affiliated with Royal Shakespeare Company productions. Political and social thematics parallel works discussed in relation to events like Arab Spring, Syrian Civil War, Refugee Crisis, Brexit, and debates in institutions like European Parliament and United Nations cultural programming.

Major Works and Repertoire

Signature pieces in the repertoire premiered at venues including Sadler's Wells Theatre and festivals such as Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Aix-en-Provence Festival. Notable works include large-scale evening pieces that premiered alongside companies like English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and presented in seasons at La Monnaie, Teatro alla Scala, Staatstheater Hannover, and Opéra de Lyon. The repertoire often features ensemble-driven scores and movement motifs comparable to works seen in productions by Compagnie Käfig, CND Toulouse, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, Hofesh Shechter's Untouchable (not linked), and collaborations with directors from National Theatre, Royal Court Theatre, and opera directors working at Glyndebourne Festival Opera. The company has staged repertory nights, double bills, and full-evening works that toured to presenters such as Jacob's Pillow, Spoleto Festival USA, Melbourne International Arts Festival, and Hong Kong Arts Festival.

Productions and Tours

International touring has taken the company to continents and presenters including North American Ballet Festival, Festival d'Avignon, Seoul Performing Arts Festival, Sydney Opera House, Tokyo Festival, and cultural seasons run by British Council and Institut français. Co-productions and residencies occurred with institutions like Sadler's Wells, Barbican Centre, Tate Modern, Volksbühne Berlin, Hellerau European Centre for the Arts, Courtyard Theatre, and opera houses including Komische Oper Berlin and Grand Théâtre de Genève. Touring logistics involved collaborations with festivals and promoters such as Archa Theatre, International Arts Festival Prague, Montreal Jazz Festival (presentation venues), and venue partners like Palau de la Música Catalana and Teatro Real.

Company Members and Leadership

Artistic direction centralized under Hofesh Shechter with administrative, production, and creative teams linking to arts managers, producers, and designers who previously worked with Royal Opera House, National Theatre, Scottish Ballet, English National Opera, Sadler's Wells, and Royal Court Theatre. Dancers and contributors have come from training grounds and companies such as Batsheva Dance Company, Rambert, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Sasha Waltz & Guests, Wayne McGregor collaborations, and contemporary conservatoires like Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Dance Conservatory Rotterdam, and Pôle Supérieur Paris-Bordeaux.

Education, Outreach, and Academy

The company operates training initiatives and educational projects in partnership with institutions like Trinity Laban, Royal Academy of Dance, London Contemporary Dance School, National Youth Dance Company, and cultural outreach partners such as Arts Council England and British Council for international workshops. Community and youth programs have been run alongside festivals including Move It London, Creative Schools, PAMfest, and residency schemes at venues like Sadler's Wells, Barbican Centre, and municipal arts centers in cities including Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, and international hubs such as Barcelona, Paris, Rome, and Berlin.

Awards and Recognition

The company and its productions have received nominations and awards from bodies and events such as the Laurence Olivier Awards, South Bank Sky Arts Awards, Critics' Circle National Dance Awards, Bessie Awards, Helpmann Awards, French Ministry of Culture accolades, and festival prizes at Avignon Festival and Aix-en-Provence. Recognition has also come from cultural institutions including Arts Council England, British Council, Fondazione Teatro alla Scala, and peer commendations from companies like Rambert and English National Ballet.

Category:Contemporary dance companies