Award-winning choreographer bringing her dance company to CSB

An award-winning choreographer is bringing her dance company to the Fine Arts Series at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.

Jessica Lang Dance will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at Escher Auditorium, Benedicta Arts Center. Following the performance, audience members are invited to join in a conversation with Lang and her dancers.

The company will be in residence Feb. 1-2, and will conduct a participatory public ballet class from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Helgeson Dance Studio, Benedicta Arts Center, CSB. The class is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required by calling the box office at 320-363-5777. The class is for ages 12 and up with beginning to intermediate dance experience.

Jessica Lang Dance was founded in 2011 and is based in New York City, It is led by artistic director Jessica Lang (not to be confused with actress Jessica Lange).

As one of the most celebrated choreographers of her generation, Lang choreographs and teaches throughout the world, and has created original works for companies including American Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, the National Ballet of Japan and Joffrey. She was the recipient of a 2014 Bessie Award and the 2017 Arison Award.

Under Lang’s artistic leadership, the company offers more than 50 performances annually at some of the world’s most prestigious performing arts centers. Its mission is to present and perform dance works around the world that immerse global audiences in the beauty of movement and music.

The company’s repertoire captivates with stunning movement and dynamic multimedia interacting innovatively with visual art.

Jessica Lang Dance has been hailed by Dance Magazine as “a master of visual composition.” It seamlessly incorporates striking design elements and transforms classical ballet into luscious choreography that highlights her dancers.

Tickets for the show are $26 for adults, $23 for seniors, $19 for faculty and staff, $15 for youth and students and $10 for CSB and SJU students.

For tickets, call the Benedicta Arts Center Box Office at 320-363-5777 or order online.

The event is co-sponsored in part by Bernick’s, Gearbox Functional Creative and Coborn’s.

These activities are made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Central Minnesota Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.