MAY—JUNE 2016

This celebrated modern dance company with deep roots in global community shared its legacy and forged new relationships in Madagascar, South Africa, and Zambia.

MAY—JUNE 2016

This celebrated modern dance company with deep roots in global community shared its legacy and forged new relationships in Madagascar, South Africa, and Zambia.

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY

The Limón Dance Company has been at the vanguard of American modern dance since its inception in 1946, and in 1954, the company became the first troupe ever to tour under the auspices of the American Cultural Exchange Program. More than 60 years later, the Limón dancers discovered new ways to connect across the African continent. In Zambia they performed alongside local dancers and led workshops with youth groups. In Madagascar, they deepened BAM’s relationship with Groupe Bakomanga (DanceAfrica 2014) and shared the stage with Cie Lovatiana, a company of visually-impaired dancers. And in South Africa, they worked with students to create a collaborative performance piece.

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY

The Limón Dance Company has been at the vanguard of American modern dance since its inception in 1946, and in 1954, the company became the first troupe ever to tour under the auspices of the American Cultural Exchange Program. More than 60 years later, the Limón dancers discovered new ways to connect across the African continent. In Zambia they performed alongside local dancers and led workshops with youth groups. In Madagascar, they deepened BAM’s relationship with Groupe Bakomanga (DanceAfrica 2014) and shared the stage with Cie Lovatiana, a company of visually-impaired dancers. And in South Africa, they worked with students to create a collaborative performance piece.

FROM THE TRAVEL BLOG

“The dance scene in Tana, as the locals call it, is exciting and has been for decades. Limón shared the stage with nine different companies, including Lovatiana and their visually-impaired dancers. In all honesty... those guys stole the show!”

—Juan José Escalante on performances in Madagascar

FROM THE TRAVEL BLOG

“The dance scene in Tana, as the locals call it, is exciting and has been for decades. Limón shared the stage with nine different companies, including Lovatiana and their visually-impaired dancers. In all honesty... those guys stole the show!”

—Juan José Escalante on performances in Madagascar

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Hailed as one of the world’s greatest dance companies, the Limón Dance Company has been at the vanguard of American Modern dance since its inception in 1946.

The Company is the living legacy of dance theater developed by José Limón and his mentors, Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman, whose innovative works revolutionized the American dance. After Limón’s death in 1972, the Company pioneered the idea that it was possible to survive the death of its founder, setting an example for the entire dance field. Now in its 72nd year, the company is renowned for its technical mastery and dramatic expression, and demonstrates both the timelessness of José Limón’s works and the humanistic vision that guides new repertory choices.

Founded in 1946 by José Limón and Doris Humphrey, the Company was led by Carla Maxwell, who worked closely with Limón, from 1978 until 2016 when Colin Connor assumed artistic leadership as the fifth artistic director in the foundation’s history. The company has been committed to producing and presenting programs that balance classic works of American modern dance with over 60 commissions and acquisitions from contemporary choreographers, resulting in a repertory of unparalleled breadth. In its first half-century, the company achieved many important milestones. It was the first group to tour under the auspices of the American Cultural Exchange Program (1954), the first dance troupe to perform at Lincoln Center (1963), and had the honor of appearing twice at The White House (1967 and 1995). The José Limón Dance Foundation was also awarded a 2008 National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Hailed as one of the world’s greatest dance companies, the Limón Dance Company has been at the vanguard of American Modern dance since its inception in 1946.

The Company is the living legacy of dance theater developed by José Limón and his mentors, Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman, whose innovative works revolutionized the American dance. After Limón’s death in 1972, the Company pioneered the idea that it was possible to survive the death of its founder, setting an example for the entire dance field. Now in its 72nd year, the company is renowned for its technical mastery and dramatic expression, and demonstrates both the timelessness of José Limón’s works and the humanistic vision that guides new repertory choices.

Founded in 1946 by José Limón and Doris Humphrey, the Company was led by Carla Maxwell, who worked closely with Limón, from 1978 until 2016 when Colin Connor assumed artistic leadership as the fifth artistic director in the foundation’s history. The company has been committed to producing and presenting programs that balance classic works of American modern dance with over 60 commissions and acquisitions from contemporary choreographers, resulting in a repertory of unparalleled breadth. In its first half-century, the company achieved many important milestones. It was the first group to tour under the auspices of the American Cultural Exchange Program (1954), the first dance troupe to perform at Lincoln Center (1963), and had the honor of appearing twice at The White House (1967 and 1995). The José Limón Dance Foundation was also awarded a 2008 National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence.