Major Dance Companies | Resident Companies | Dance Venues and Festivals
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New York: Dance, Major Dance Companies
New York Dance: Major Dance Companies in New York
The six internationally acclaimed dance companies do a major season in New York every year (either at New York City Center or Lincoln Center).
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater first arrived on the New York dance scene in 1958 as a young energetic group of black dancers. Their first performance at the 92nd Street Y forever altered the landscape of American modern dance. Through continued expansion over the past 50 years, AAADT has not only established a lasting presence in American dance, but also proven to be one of its strongest pillars, winning two …more…
American Ballet Theatre (ABT)
Since its founding in 1939, American Ballet Theatre has distinguished itself as one of the most internationally respected ballet companies. The repertory, though grounded in the great classics of the 19th century, continues to evolve with regularly commissioned original works by acclaimed choreographers. In the past, these have included the likes of Antony Tudor, George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille, and Twyla Tharp. Likewise, the company’s dancers are among …more…
Mark Morris Dance Group
At one time, Mark Morris was known as the enfant terrible of modern dance. Yet since founding his company in 1980, his humor and musicality have made the Mark Morris Dance Group one of the most widely appreciated dance companies worldwide. ...more...
Merce Cunningham Dance Company
No question about it: Merce Cunningham was the most radically innovative figure in American dance history.
With his long-time partner and musical collaborator John Cage, he proposed the famously controversial idea that music and dance should exist independently—in the same space and time but without being connected in any intentional way. In fact, Cunningham’s dancers often hear the music for the …more…
New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet began with two men—one a visionary, the other a craftsman. The legacy of these two men, Lincoln Kirstein and George Balanchine, has now evolved into the largest dance organization in the United States, boasting approximately 90 world-class performers.
Unlike New York’s other premier ballet company, American Ballet Theater, NYCB spends most of the year at home in …more…
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Paul Taylor is one of today’s most popular choreographers. Not only is his work well-loved, but it’s widely seen, having been performed in all 50 states and an impressive 62 countries. His company has also appeared on nine PBS programs, including the Emmy Award-winning “Speaking in Tongues.”
Through the establishment of his second company, Taylor 2, Paul Taylor has gone to …more…
