Choreographer: Ohad Naharin
Music:
Harold Arlen, arranged by
Marusha
Tracks from: Cha-Cha De Amor (sung by
Dean Martin, Rolley Polley);
Goldfrapp;
popular song arranged by
Dick Dale; The Beach Boys;
Missy Elliott; A. Vivaldi;
Seefeel popular song arranged and performed by
The Tractor’s Revenge and
Ohad Naharin
Original music: Maxim Waratt
Text inspired by Charles Bukowski
Batsheva Dance Company has been critically acclaimed and
popularly embraced as one of the most exciting contemporary dance companies
in the world. Together with its junior Batsheva Ensemble,
the organization boasts a roster of 40 dancers drawn from Israel and
abroad. Touring extensively throughout the country and internationally,
the two companies present 250 performances annually.
Ohad Naharin
assumed the role of Artistic Director in 1990 and propelled
the company into a new era with his adventurous curatorial vision,
distinctive choreographic voice, and revolutionary movement language, Gaga.
Through daily training in Gaga, Batsheva’s dancers research new movement
possibilities and awaken their dynamic sensitivity. They bring an eager
curiosity and ripe imagination to rehearsals, where they participate actively in
the creative process. Company members are also encouraged to express their
unique talents by creating for the annual Batsheva Dancers Create project.
Many of the main company’s dancers honed their skills as members of
Batsheva Ensemble, which cultivates dancers from ages 18-24 and carries out
the educational agenda of Batsheva. In addition to performing for
young audiences around the country, the Ensemble holds open rehearsals,
Gaga classes, and repertory workshops for dance schools. Batsheva Ensemble also
engages in outreach activities, performing for underserved populations
throughout Israel.
Batsheva Dance Company was founded as a repertory company
in 1964 by the Baroness Batsheva de Rothschild, who enlisted Martha
Graham as artistic adviser. Despite its youth, Batsheva was immediately granted
the honor of being the first company outside Graham’s own troupe to
perform the legendary choreographer’s dances. During its first few decades,
Batsheva Dance Company was guided by artistic directors Jane Dudley, Norman
Walker, Brian MacDonald, William Louther, Kaj Lothman (who also jointly directed
with Linda Hodes for one year), Paul Sanasardo, Moshe Romano, David Dvir, and
Shelley Sheer. Each director varied the repertory with works by prominent
American and European choreographers and introduced new creations by emerging
Israeli artists. Batsheva was also shaped by Robert Cohan, who served as
artistic advisor during Romano’s directorship, and by a series of rehearsal
directors including Ruth Harris, Romano, Hodes, Amira Meroz, Rena Gluck (who
also served briefly as associate director), Rahamim Ron, and Jean Geddis.
Ohad Naharin was appointed as Artistic Director in 1990. Naomi
Bloch-Fortis served as Associate Artistic Director and Executive Director until
September 2009.
Dina Aldor is the Company's Executive Director as
of September 2009. Since 1989, Batsheva Dance Company has been in residence
at the Suzanne Dellal Centre in Tel Aviv.