Unveiling Spring Dances

By Alicia Graf Mack

Spring Dances, which takes place March 27–30, promises to be a celebration of the boundless possibilities of contemporary dance. This year’s choreographers—Kyle Abraham, Bobbi Jene Smith (’06, dance), Or Schraiber, and Shen Wei— are world-class artists whose unique voices have left an indelible mark on the global dance landscape.

Abraham, known for his seamless blend of contemporary dance forms, presents Studies on a Farewell, which he created on his company, A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham, in 2019. It includes music by Nico Muhly (MM ’02, composition), Beethoven, and Bach. Smith and Schraiber, each acclaimed for their fearless and visceral approach to dance, bring a theatrical piece that pushes the boundaries of physical and emotional expression: Their piece, Fugue in Crimson, is set to music composed and arranged by Yonatan Daskal and includes music by Bach, Barbara, and Bizet. They choreographed it for the Batsheva Ensemble in Tel Aviv, which premiered it in 2022. Lastly, we feature Shen Wei, whose innovative choreographic language merges Eastern and Western traditions. We are proud to present his signature work, Map (2005), presented with live music by Steve Reich (’61, composition) for the first time in the work’s history.

As we witness the extraordinary young Juilliard dancers and musicians coming together on the Peter Jay Sharp Theater stage, we invite you to immerse yourself in the richness of their talent.

Alicia Graf Mack is the artistic director of the Dance Division