COMPANY BIO:
“…a dream ballet troupe.” – Alastair Macaulay, The New York Times
Morphoses / The Wheeldon Company is a new, dynamic ballet company founded in 2007 by Christopher Wheeldon and Lourdes Lopez. The company, which is based in New York and London, strives to broaden the scope of classical ballet by emphasizing innovation and fostering creativity through collaboration.
The company's first two seasons included performances at the Vail International Dance Festival in Colorado, at Sadler's Wells in London, and at New York City Center. Morphoses will perform at these three venues again in 2009, and will also gradually increase its touring schedule and number of appearances over the next few years.
In 2007, Morphoses / The Wheeldon Company was named Guest Resident Company of both New York City Center and Sadler's Wells in London. For its September 2007 performances in London, Morphoses was awarded a South Bank Show Award, presented by the arts documentary television show of the same name. Dancer Wendy Whelan was honored with a nomination for an Olivier Award by the Society of West End Theaters for her performances at Sadler's Wells with Morphoses. As part of its commitment to collaboration, the company commissioned award-winning fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez to create the costumes for Christopher Wheeldon's two new ballets, Fools' Paradise and Prokofiev Pas de Deux. The Company plans to work with many designers, composers, and artists in the future.
Morphoses presented an exciting repertory in its first season, including world premiere ballets by Christopher Wheeldon and Edwaard Liang. The Company also performed works by George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Michael Clarke and Liv Lorent. The dancers for the first Morphoses season came from companies such as the New York City Ballet, the Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, George Piper Dances, the Hamburg Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and National Ballet of Canada, and included such prominent dancers as Alexandra Ansanelli, Hélène Bouchet, Ashley Bouder, Darcey Bussell, Alina Cojacaru, Carla Körbes, Maria Kowroski, Miranda Weese, Wendy Whelan, Batkhurel Bold, Thiago Bordin, Jonathan Cope, Angel Corella, Gonzalo Garcia, Nehemiah Kish, Michael Nunn and William Trevitt.
