Jessica Lang Dance Company will perform in Israel for the first time at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center, with three performances from April 20 – 22, 2017.
Choreographer and Artistic Director of Jessica Lang Dance, Lang has received the prestigious Bessie Award in 2014 and an Arison Award in 2017. She has created over 95 works for dance companies worldwide, including American Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, the National Ballet of Japan and the Joffrey Ballet. A graduate of The Julliard School, Lang studied under Benjamin Harkavy. She is a former member of Twyla Tharp’s company, THARP!, and came to Israel as a dancer in the company in 1997, performing in Caesarea. A Joyce Theater Artist Residency helped her found her own dance company, Jessica Lang Dance (JLD) in 2011. The company performs Lang’s contemporary choreography to classical works as well as commissioned scores, often incorporating video art and theatrical elements.
On the program:
Solo Bach
A brief three-minute solo, to Johann Sebastian Bach’s Partita no. 3 in E major. Premiered in 2008.
Sweet Silent Thought
Inspired by Shakespeare’s sonnets, a work for four dancers, 2 women and 2 men, with music by Jakub Ciupinski. Premiered in 2016.
Thousand Yard Stare
A work for 9 dancers, 5 men and 4 women, on the experiences of soldiers and veterans, set to Ludwig van Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 15, Op. 132. Premiered in 2016.
The Calling (Excerpt from Splendid Isolation II)
A solo set to music by Trio Mediaeval. Premiered in 2006.
White
A dance film work for 6 dancers, 3 women and 3 men, set to music by Edvard Grieg. Premiered in 2011.
I.n.k.
7 dancers, 3 men and 4 women, with a score commissioned from Jakub Ciupinski Premiered in 2011.
In June 2016, Jessica Lang Dance performed at the Joyce Theater in New York, celebrating the company’s 5th anniversary. In videos created towards this performance, it is very illuminating to hear the dancers talk about the dance and their process within it, as well as seeing scenes from the dances. There are videos for: Solo Bach, Sweet Silent Thought, Thousand Yard Stare, and i.n.k..
Performances will take place at the Israeli Opera/Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center: Thursday, April 20th at 20:00; Friday, April 21st at 13:00; Saturday, April 22nd at 20:00. Ticket prices range from 149 NIS – 299 NIS, and may be ordered online from the Israeli Opera.
