Jennifer Muller / The Works
Mission/History
For 38 years, contemporary dance company JENNIFER MULLER/THE WORKS has applied a multi-disciplinary approach that weaves dance, theater and visual arts to create dances that celebrate and illuminate the human spirit. Artistic Director Jennifer Muller's exhilarating dances are evocative, passionate and engaging.
The Works has developed an astounding international presence, having appeared in the world's preeminent theaters and festivals in 39 countries on four continents. The company has performed worldwide from Buenos Aires to Toronto and Bangkok to Moscow with appearances in Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Köln, Tel Aviv, Montreal and Amsterdam, to name a few. The Works recently performed to rave reviews at FENDAFOR 10 (Festival Internacional de Dança de Fortaleza), The Sixth Beijing International Theater & Dance Festival, Bangkok's Eighth International Festival of Dance and Music and at Festival Internacional de Teatro Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia. The Works will return to China for performances in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou and Tianjing in 2012.
The Works has performed in 30 states in the US and self-produced 22 New York City Seasons. In the USA, The Works has performed at The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Jacob's Pillow, The American Dance Festival, Fire Island Dance Festival and Central Park Summerstage, and in such unique venues as The Museum of Modern Art, The New York Botanical Garden, The South Street Seaport and The United Nations. In 2007, The Joyce Theater awarded Ms. Muller with a special Commissioning Grant to create Bench, the signature premiere of The Works' 35TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON in 2009.
With a history of unique partnerships, The Works' most recent projects include the premiere of a dynamic dance/choral collaboration at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center and a commission to create an Argentine tango-inspired dance for the 1st Latin American Cultural Week in New York City. The Works recognizes year- round community-based programs as key in its efforts to introduce new audiences to dance.
Central to The Works' philosophy is a respect for the rights of individuals of all cultures–an approach reflected in its multicultural membership that serves as the basis for its active outreach and community service programs. Educational outreach projects have been conducted in association with Hospital Audiences, Lincoln Center, The Joyce Theater and The Henry Street Settlement, among others.
The Works is devoted to its professional training, arts awareness and mentoring programs. Faces of Wonder and Imagine That! bring The Works' artistry into NYC public schools. The Scholarship/Apprentice Program provides valued professional training in Muller Technique for aspiring dancers. The HATCH Presenting Series has presented nearly 500 new works by emerging choreographers and theater artists. The Emerging Choreographers Program produces work by current company members and alumni. Company alumni that have founded dance companies include Ronald K. Brown, Young Soon Kim, Pascal Rekoert, Michael Jahoda, Maria Naidu and Leda Meredith. These programs annually reach over 5,000 youth in the New York City schools and 50 emerging choreographers.
Elizabeth Disharoon. Photo by Paula Lobo.