Batsheva Dance Company

Batsheva Dance Company
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Name	Batsheva Dance Company
Type	Contemporary dance
Location	Tel Aviv, Israel

Batsheva Dance Company is a renowned contemporary dance troupe based in Tel Aviv, Israel, founded in 1964 by Baroness Batsheva de Rothschild and Martha Graham. The company has been associated with prominent choreographers such as Ohad Naharin, William Forsythe, and Crystal Pite. With its unique style and technique, the company has performed at esteemed venues like the Lincoln Center in New York City and the Palais Garnier in Paris. The company's dancers have been trained by notable instructors from institutions like the Juilliard School and the School of American Ballet.

● History

The company's history is deeply rooted in the development of modern dance in Israel, with influences from choreographers like Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey. The company's early years were marked by collaborations with international artists, including Robert Cohan and Donald McKayle. In the 1980s, the company began to focus on the work of Ohad Naharin, who would later become the company's artistic director. The company has also been influenced by the work of other notable choreographers, such as Trisha Brown and Lucinda Childs, and has performed at festivals like the Montreal Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The company's history is also tied to the development of the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center and the Israel Festival.

● Artistic Directors

The company has had several artistic directors throughout its history, including Ohad Naharin, who served from 1990 to 2018, and Gadi Dagon, who took over in 2019. Other notable artistic directors include Amos Hetz, who worked with the company in the 1970s, and Susan McClain, who has worked with companies like the Nederlands Dans Theater and the Royal Ballet. The company's artistic directors have been influenced by a range of choreographers, including Pina Bausch and Merce Cunningham, and have worked with dancers from companies like the New York City Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet. The company has also collaborated with artists from other disciplines, such as Philip Glass and Steve Reich.

● Repertoire

The company's repertoire includes a wide range of works, from Ohad Naharin's Deca Dance to William Forsythe's The Loss of Small Detail. The company has also performed works by other notable choreographers, such as Crystal Pite's The Tempest Replica and Sharon Eyal's Bill. The company's repertoire is characterized by its emphasis on contemporary dance and its incorporation of elements from other styles, such as hip hop and ballet. The company has performed at venues like the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and has collaborated with companies like the National Ballet of Canada and the Australian Ballet.

● Notable Dancers

The company has been home to many notable dancers, including Idan Cohen, who has also worked with companies like the Nederlands Dans Theater and the Royal Ballet. Other notable dancers include Bobbi Smith, who has worked with choreographers like Trisha Brown and Lucinda Childs, and Or Schraiber, who has performed with companies like the New York City Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet. The company's dancers have been trained by instructors from institutions like the School of American Ballet and the Juilliard School, and have gone on to work with companies like the Martha Graham Dance Company and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The company's dancers have also collaborated with artists from other disciplines, such as Philip Glass and Steve Reich.

● Tours and Performances

The company has toured extensively throughout its history, performing at venues like the Sydney Opera House and the Teatro alla Scala. The company has also performed at festivals like the Montreal Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and has collaborated with companies like the National Ballet of Canada and the Australian Ballet. The company's tours have been supported by organizations like the Israel Ministry of Culture and Sport and the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, and have been recognized with awards like the Bessie Award and the Israel Prize. The company has also performed at events like the Olympic Games and the Expo 2015, and has collaborated with artists from other disciplines, such as Philip Glass and Steve Reich. The company's performances have been praised by critics from publications like The New York Times and The Guardian, and have been recognized for their unique style and technique. Category:Dance companies