Celebrating 60 years of NDT

Presentation

The concept of this ambitious evening is truly unique in its vision. It will be choreographed through the collaboration of NDT’s House Choreographers, Sol León & Paul Lightfoot and NDT’s Associate Choreographers, Crystal Pite and Marco Goecke. The choreographers, using their individual dance styles will create sections or scenes that will be woven together to create one complete work that will feature the dancers of both companies NDT 1 and NDT 2.

The history of the company and its heritage will be intertwined with the jubilee performance through the theme of the cabinet of curiosities. This theme is inspired by the work of Albertus Seba (1665-1736), a Dutch pharmacist who accumulated a huge amount of curios from all over the world, and, subsequently, commissioned several artists and writers to compile a book with engravings and commentaries of these objects. This book, located at the Royal Library in The Hague, is full of colourful drawings of plants, shells and animal specimens. It reveals the entanglement of science and art, and demonstrates how collections and their depiction transcend the boundaries of fact and fiction, but also of time and nationality. In this jubilee performance NDT will show its own collection, its own depiction of choreographies, body language, and colourful and international characters.

The premiere of this new work will take place in 2019, the year NDT turns sixty. By looking back at the rich creative history of the company, NDT can truly understand its existence today, it is therefore apt that this innovative new work presents the current House and Associate choreographic artists of NDT in this completely new way. The working title of this production is ’Celebrating 60 years NDT’.

Artistic Team

Marco Goecke has one of the most original styles in dance today and has been named the ‘Master of Darkness’ for this dark, mysterious stage aesthetic. He is drawn to the eternity of darkness and uses it effectively with dancers appearing and disappearing from out of nowhere while accentuating the physicality of the dancers. His uniqueness grew from his limited dance experience and a strong conviction to be himself. His movement style of fast, flittering, twitching movements generate feelings of vulnerability juxtaposed with a sensual absurdity and an air of melancholy.

Crystal Pite is one of today’s most sought after choreographers, creating work with her own company Kidd Pivot, plus numerous international companies. Her creative partnership with NDT has flourished and has given rise to a body of work that NDT presents internationally to critical acclaim. Pite shines light on an array of subjects and dares to tackle controversial issues like the current political climate and the international refugee crisis. She is interested in human emotion and connects using a physical language that reflects the viewers own experiences. She searches for energy created through tension, by introducing conflicting ideas that generate a state of torque or exertion, pushing dancers to the edge of their ability.

Paul Lightfoot & Sol León have developed their unique, highly physical and theatrical voice at NDT. Creating separately they weave together their offerings into seamless high quality works that are the backbone of NDT. They have created interdisciplinary works integrating elements such as interactive live video, text, and a live, dancer generated soundscape. Their choreographic language is strongly rooted in the classical form with influences from butoh and yoga, and philosophies like Taoism. This longstanding connection to NDT enables the dancers to fully embody their language, allowing the duo deeper insight into their creativity generating unique, multifaceted ballets.