COMPANY BIOGRAPHY - RIOULT · COMPANY BIOGRAPHY PASCAL RIOULT DANCE ... If By Chance, set to Jacques Loussier’s jazz interpretation of Mozart’s “Concerto No.23,” explores

PASCAL RIOULT DANCE THEATRE246 W 38TH ST. 8TH FL. NY, NY 10018 TEL 212-398-5901 WWW.PRDANCE.ORG

For domestic booking contact: [email protected]

COMPANY BIOGRAPHY

PASCAL RIOULT DANCE THEATRE builds on tradition, expanding the definition of contemporary dance. Known for his

daring and imaginative explorations of classical scores, Pascal Rioult creates new work that brings fresh perspective to

timeless themes, flawlessly blending his European sensibilities with a strong background in American modern dance. The

company offers diverse audiences an experience that speaks to both the mind and heart. Rioult’s career as a choreographer

began in 1984 when, as a principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company, he held an informal showing of his first

works at New York’s 92nd Street Y. In 1992, The New York Times dance critic Jennifer Dunning wrote “If Pascal Rioult

keeps on creating the kinds of dances he has been choreographing with such authority for a mere three years, he mayhaveto

leave his job as a soloist with the Martha Graham Dance Company and become a full-time choreographer.” He founded

Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre later that same year with his wife and fellow Graham dancer Joyce Herring, an esteemed

performer in her own right.

Over the past decade Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre has become an established name in modern dance. With a repertoire of

over twenty dances, the company presents an annual season at The Joyce Theater in Manhattan and tours internationally.

Company performances throughout North America and Europe have received praise from audiences and critics alike. The

company was honored to be the Théâtre de Saint Quentin en Yvelines resident company for the Temps de Danse Festival,

where it premiered The Ravel Project. Recent tour highlights include the premiere of Firebird at the American DanceFestival

in Durham, NC, and appearances at the Annenberg Center in Philadelphia, PA and Cal Performances in Berkeley, CA.

Rioult’s signature piece, Bolero, has been seen at the New York City Center Fall for Dance Festival and on a 12-city

European tour of France, Belgium and Switzerland. During the 2006-07 season, the group will travel to the mid-westandoffer

both fall and spring European tours. Next to the Rioult’s vibrant choreography, the company’s ten dancers are considered its

greatest artistic resource. They reach beyond their polished technique to shine in solo roles and perform as one body in the

group choreography.

Education and community outreach have been integral to Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre since its inception. DanceREACH,

the company’s educational component, offers an interactive approach to introducing students to the world of moderndance. It

has had an impact on thousands of students and community members in New York City and around the world. Ongoing

relationships with schools in New York City and the metropolitan area allow DanceREACH to inspire new generations of

dancers and audiences.

PASCAL RIOULT DANCE THEATRE246 W 38TH ST. 8TH FL. NY, NY 10018 WWW.PRDANCE.ORG


PASCAL RIOULT

PASCAL RIOULT (Artistic Director / Choreographer) was born in Normandy,

France and earned a Masters Degree in Science Education from the

University of Paris. More than two decades ago, he came to the United

States on a fellowship from the French Ministry of Culture to study modern

dance. After coming to New York, Rioult performed with the companies of

May O'Donnell and Paul Sanasardo before joining the Martha Graham

Dance Company in 1986. As a principal dancer, he interpreted many of the

most prestigious roles in the Graham repertory and in 1990 Ms. Graham

created the central role (Death Figure) in her ballet The Eye of the Goddess for Mr. Rioult. He performed

opposite Mikhail Baryshnikov and Joyce Herring in El Penitente and was featured in two television specials:

Martha Graham in Japan and Five Dances by Martha Graham at the Paris Opera.

Mr. Rioult began choreographing in 1989 while still a member of the Graham troupe and produced his first

concerts at the Theatre of the Riverside Church in 1991 and 1992. His pieces Narayama and Harvest were

danced by the Graham Company during its New York City seasons at City Center. Since 1994 Mr. Rioult

has dedicated his energies to building and perfecting a choreographic style of his own, a robust ensemble

of dancers and Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre. Mr. Rioult’s work has been performed and commissioned by

numerous modern dance and ballet companies in the United States and in Europe. He is the recipient of a

1998 and 2002 Choo-San Goh Award for Choreography and he has been awarded grants from the

National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Department of

Cultural Affairs, The Paul Lepercq Foundation, The Florence Gould Foundation, The Grand Marnier

Foundation, The Greenwall Foundation, The Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust and The Harkness

Foundation for Dance.



TOURING PROGRAMS

THE RAVEL PROJECTAn evening of dance set to the lush scores of Maurice Ravel; a perfect

evening for fans of romantic music and classic modern dance, as well aslovers of French culture.

STRUCTURE│RIOULT│STRAVINSKYFollowing in the footsteps of great choreographers beforehim, Pascal Rioult takes on the double challenge of creatingcomplex ballets to well-known Stravinsky scores.

RIOULT REVEALEDA little sex, a little violence, a lot of passion.

Choose from among our favorites from Piaf to Bolero.

TOURING REPERTOIRE



THE RAVEL PROJECTEuropean sensibility blends flawlessly with American modern dance to create work that is as technically adept as it is

rich with emotion. THE RAVEL PROJECT is an evening of dance set to the lush scores of Maurice Ravel; a perfect

evening for fans of romantic music and classic modern dance.

Home Front, “Le Tombeau de Couperin” represents the lost innocence of

uprooted soldiers to whom Ravel dedicated the five movements of his

musical score. Jennifer Dunning of the New York Times described it as a

"joyous hymn to order" and praised the choreographer as a "natural

storyteller who is increasingly, and distinctively, merging buried

narratives with pure dance." Running time: 18 minutes.

Wien, “La Valse” depicts European society between two world wars whose

apparent civility –as illustrated by the Viennese waltz –fails to conceal the

internal whirlwind, spiraling outward to social disintegration. Backstage

remarked"Rioult takes the familiar score of ‘La Valse’ and stretches the

imagination to unthought-of movement regions, thus creating a spine chilling work of choreography. Rarely

does one need to see a piece of work again. ‘Wien’ demands another look." This startlingly violent and

thought-provoking work has been captivating audiences since its premiere. Running time: 13 minutes.

Prelude to Night, is a triptych danced to three short Ravel orchestral works, “Alborada del Gracioso,” “Prélude à la

nuit” and “Feria” from “Rapsodie Espagnole.”The piece is linked by the physical presence of the central female

character who goes through a journey of time and space –that of imagination, dream and nightmares. ‘Prelude to

Night’is a transitory journey from one state to another. Running time: 28 minutes.

Bolero, is a bold and unexpected interpretation of the famous musical score. A perennial sensation with audiences

and critics alike, this electric piece was featured in the 2005 City Center Fall for Dance Festival. Its perpetual motion

and ever-changing patterns follow the composer’s lead in building to its inevitable climax. The unrelenting crescendo

of energy creates a riveting tour de force that speaks to the essence of the music. Allan Ulrich of the San Francisco

Chronicle declared that“Rioult…knows that ‘Bolero’ is actually a single, 16-minute crescendo that looks back

on the Constructivist era…it is that cold mechanistic, asexual quality that this new ‘Bolero’ captures so

rivetingly.”Running time: 16 minutes.

TOURING REPERTOIRE



STRUCTURE –RIOULT –STRAVINSKYFollowing in the footsteps of great choreographers before him, Pascal Rioult takes on the double challenge of

creating complex ballets to well-known scores. His captivating lineup of Stravinsky-set works illustrates not only his

great love for this master composer, but his deep understanding of structure and diversity of the music that is so

poignantly expressed in dance. This intense, diverse program offers audiences a constant reinvention of classical

themes. Ideal for dance aficionados, fans of modern orchestral scores or anyone who might enjoy a modern take on

mythic themes.

Les Noces, revisiting the concept of the wedding, is a sexually charged deconstruction of the marriage ritual,

exploring the primal instincts behind this traditional rite of passage. Provocative movement and unabashed energy

permeates strong structural composition. Described in Backstage as “A ravishing, danced deconstruction of

sexual discovery.”this wedding will leave you breathless. Running time: 25 minutes.

Black Diamond, “Duo Concertant” is a visually and technically stunning duet for two women perched on platforms

halfway between the earth and the sky. This refined yet exuberant dance translates the poetic qualities of a black

diamond into movement: strength, beauty, purity and mystery –the same essential qualities of the dancer’s body.

‘Black Diamond’raises the female dancer to the status of semi-goddess and poetic muse. Anna Kisselgoff of the

New York Times stated “In ‘Black Diamond’ [Rioult] has met the challenge of comparison with George

Balanchine’s 1972 ‘Duo Concertant.’”Running time: 13 minutes.

Firebird, “Firebird Suite” presents an original

revision of this mythic story of good versus evil; a

community of lost souls brought back to humanity

through the magical intervention of a small child –

the symbolic phoenix of hope and rebirth.

Breathtaking sets and lighting enhance masterful

choreography to create an unforgettable theatrical

experience. This “Firebird” is emotionally

evocative and intellectually stimulating; it “turnsa

potential cliché into essential truth.”(New York Times, 2004) Running time: 23 minutes.

TOURING REPERTOIRE



RIOULT REVEALED A little sex, a little violence, a lot of passion.

La Vie En Rose, is a series of solos, duets and trios set in a café atmosphere where the dancers present a series of

vignettes set to a variety of classic Edith Piaf songs. Dancers assume casual, life-like attitudes between the pieces,

but as they begin to move their inner world is revealed, a world that is not visible on the outside, but speaks about

their secret hopes, dreams and fantasies. They tell their own stories that would not be spoken or shown in public, but

are usually only played out behind closed doors. “Rioult tackled partnering choreography with ease…in the

duet ‘Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien,’some visible magic was created. (Phyllis

Goldman, Backstage) Running time: 20 minutes.

Wien, “La Valse” depicts European society between two world wars whose

apparent civility –as illustrated by the Viennese waltz –fails to conceal the

internal whirlwind, spiraling outward to social disintegration. Backstage

remarked "Rioult takes the familiar score of ‘La Valse’ and stretches the

imagination to unthought-of movement regions, thus creating a spine

chilling work of choreography. Rarely does one need to see a piece of

work again. ‘Wien’demands another look." This startlingly violent and

thought-provoking work has been captivating audiences since its premiere.

Running time: 13 minutes.

If By Chance,set to Jacques Loussier’s jazz interpretation of Mozart’s “Concerto No.23,” explores the possibility of

improvisation within a composition. “Rioult allowed his alternately sensual and delightful choreography to play

within the wide frame of modern dance…the dancers…created a sensual energy, with mixed–and same-

gender partnering. Typical of Rioult, this untraditional coupling adds refreshing spice to the blend.”(Emily

Macel, Dance Magazine) Running time: 22 minutes

Bolero, “Bolero” is a bold and unexpected interpretation of the famous musical score. A perennial sensation with

audiences and critics alike, this electric piece was featured in the 2005 City Center Fall for Dance Festival. Its

perpetual motion and ever-changing patterns follow the composer’s lead in building to its inevitable climax. The

unrelenting crescendo of energy creates a riveting tour de force that speaks to the essence of the music. Allan Ulrich

of the San Francisco Chronicle declared that “Rioult…knows that ‘Bolero’ is actually a single, 16-minute

crescendo that looks back on the Constructivist era…it is that cold mechanistic, asexual quality that this

new‘Bolero’ captures so rivetingly.” Running time: 16 minutes.



PRESS QUOTES

“One of the most adept and courageous choreographers in mainstream modern dance today.”Lisa Jo Sagolla, Backstage

“Rioult’s choreography was disciplined and ingenious…”Mae G. Banner, Metroland, Albany

“’The Ravel Project’…makes one of the most original programs of the dance season.”Anna Kisselgoff, The New York Times

“Pascal Rioult has moved himself into primetime. His movement vocabulary is aflawless melding of ballet and modern with deep and fulfilling emotional overtones.”

Phyllis Goldman, Backstage

“The increasing acclaim he has attracted on national tours has much to do with hisassertive individuality. In ‘Black Diamond’ he has met the challenge of comparison with George Balanchine’s ‘Duo Concertant’.”

Anna Kisselgoff, The New York Times

“Rioult is an original, he has ideas of his own…his dances have guts but theyalso have heart…of the new dance companies, his is way out front.”

Francis Mason, WQXR

“Succeeding against all odds, Pascal Rioult’s new dance treatment of ‘The Firebird’is a compellingreinvention, even rejection, of the exotic beauties of Stravinsky’s famous ballet.”

Anna Kisselgoff, The New York Times

“Black Diamond will find a permanent home right behind his classic‘Wien’in Rioult’s ever growing and beautifullydeveloping repertory.”

Phyllis Goldman, Backstage

“Viewing ‘Wien’is like getting a front row seat at a grade 5 tornado.”The Salt Lake Tribune

“Mr. Rioult’s originality is genuine and is expressed through startling fusions of dramatic images andabstract movement…dancing choreographed with intrinsic emotional impact and admirable stylization.”

Jennifer Dunning, The New York Times

“Fascinating! Pascal Rioult, before all, is one of theleaders of ‘Neo-Modern dance.’His work is rooted in atradition but open to the future. His style blends an acute sense of classical structure with a profound musicalsensibility.”

Alain Cigolotti, Le Temps, France


For our school and community outreach programs contact:Laura Hymers, Education Director - 212-398-5901 -OR- [email protected]

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

DANCEREACHThe arts-in-education component of Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre

Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre (PRDT) collaborates with local presenters to reach a wider spectrum of their community by:Providing targeted programming to promote attendance at the company’s formal performanceOffering programs that demystify the arts and personalize the creative process.

DanceREACH: FOR ALL AGESBehind the Scenes –Lecture/Demonstration & PerformanceRated the community’s favorite event by previous presenters, the Lecture/Demonstration & Performance is a “behind the scenes” look at modern dance choreography. The one hour program is narrated as the dancers illustrate how Pascal Rioult creates a dance piece, uses music and transforms an idea into the magnificent choreography seen on stage.Following the performance of a full dance piece, the audience is invited to participate in a question and answer sessionwith the artists. This program is tailored to be appropriate for all audiences.

DanceREACH: KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADECreative Dance WorkshopHighly qualified PRDT Teaching Artists lead age-appropriate creative dance workshops that engage the imagination andencourage using the body as a means of expressing creativity. Workshops stimulate creative problem solving andcognitive skills, and enhance communication and discipline.

Classroom ResidencyHighly qualified PRDT Teaching Artists lead a series of dance classes developed with the school and classroom teacher tosupport the curriculum. Students create movement phrases that are cooperatively crafted into an original dance piece.The residency concludes with a performance by the students for their peers, parents, teachers and community guests.

DanceREACH: HIGHER EDUCATION AND COMMUNITYMaster ClassesHighly qualified PRDT Teaching Artists offer master classes geared toward the appropriate dance technique level of thegroup.

Technique and RepertoryModern technique class with a foundation in Graham Technique, includes movementbased on Pascal Rioult’s choreography and his provocative and musically-oriented dance language.

Dance CompositionStudents are guided in developing choreographic process using structure, movement vocabulary and imagination.

Movement for Actors, Singers and Public SpeakersUsing theatrical movement, students explore developing a dynamic stage presence and learn how to use thebody as a tool for communication and expression. These skills can be adapted into any adult circumstanceincluding personal and business situations.

Restaging RepertoryCompany members teach excerpts of Pascal Rioult’s repertory in a series of classes to culminate in an informal student showing. Through learning and performing the choreography, students experience the rich connection between bodylanguage, music and human emotions.



2006-2007 PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

September 15, 2006Harriman Arts Center, Kansas City, MO

October 15, 2006CultureFest through French Institute Alliance Française, New York City

Fall Europe Tour

November 30, 2006 Soissons, FranceDecember 2, 2006 St. Germaine en Laye, FranceDecember 5, 2006 Meaux, FranceDecember 7, 2006 Laval, France

January 17, 2007Florence Gould Hall, French Institute Alliance Française, New York, NY

Spring Europe Tour

March 5, 2007 Trento, ITMarch 6, 2007 Mestre, ITMarch 7, 2007 Treviso, ITMarch 9, 2007 Vicenza, ITMarch 13, 2007 Sochaux, FRMarch 15, 2007 Saint Etienne, FRMarch 17, 2007 Vichy, FRMarch 20, 2007 Sarlat, FRMarch 24, 2007 Saintes, FRMarch 27, 2007 Courbevoie, FRMarch 29, 2007 Esch sur Alzette, LXMarch 31, 2007 Maison Alfort, FRApril 3, 2007 Le Perreux sur Marne, FRApril 6, 2007 Reuil Malmaison, FR

April 13-15, 2007Kravis Center, West Palm Beach, FL

May 5-6, 2007Queens Theater in the Park, Queens, NY

June 12-17, 2007NY Season, Joyce Theater, New York, NY

June 24 –July 14, 2007Vassar College Residency, Poughkeepsie, NY

Documents

COMPANY BIOGRAPHY - RIOULT · COMPANY BIOGRAPHY PASCAL RIOULT DANCE ... If By Chance, set to Jacques Loussier’s jazz interpretation of Mozart’s “Concerto No.23,” explores