Parsons Dance, an internationally celebrated dance troupe that creates and performs contemporary American dance of extraordinary artistry, takes the stage on Friday, March 9, at 8 p.m., at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
Founded in 1985 by Artistic Director David Parsons and Tony Award-winning lighting designer Howell Binkley, the New York City-based company is known for its energized, athletic ensemble work and collaborations with iconic artists across all disciplines.
The company has toured to more than 445 cities, 30 countries and five continents at notable theaters, festivals and presenters, including The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Maison de la Danse, Teatro La Fenice and Teatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro. New York Magazine called Parsons “one of modern dance’s great living dance-makers.”
In a review of a Parsons Dance performance in 2015, the Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky, noted: “The evening marked what is likely one of the most exhilarating performances in the arts this year with six dances, three of them by David Parsons and spanning more than 30 years of his career.”
Parsons Dance continues to pursue its mission to deliver positive, affirming, life-enriching experiences to its audiences by maintaining a repertory of more than 75 works by Parsons and producing his new work, inviting established choreographers to re-stage works from the American canon with the company and commissioning young American choreographers under the company’s GenerationNOW Fellowship. The year-long mentorship program culminates in a commission that premiers as a part of Parsons Dance’s season at the Joyce Theater in New York City and joins the company’s touring repertory for the following season.
In addition to choreography and performance, Parsons Dance engages audiences of all ages through education and outreach programs and is committed to bringing innovative dance to the communities where it performs, as well as partnering with community leaders to develop programs tailored for local populations. The company hosts post-show discussions, open rehearsals, studio showcases and open company classes, and is devoted to bringing dance to communities and populations that face barriers in accessing the arts.
