Ballet Hispánico
“Ballet Hispánico’s artistic director Eduardo Vilaro has said that the troupe’s title notwithstanding, the company is ‘a new envisioning of American modern dance,’” writes a Boston Globe critic. “It’s an intriguing idea, particularly since a main mission of the New York-based group is to present dance through a Latino lens.”
In its first appearance at Eisenhower Auditorium since 1993, Ballet Hispánico’s lens will focus solely on dances by Latina choreographers. The program is scheduled to include Linea Recta by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Con Brazos Abiertos by Michelle Manzanales, and 3. Catorce Dieciséis by Tania Pérez-Salas.
Founded in 1970 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan by Tina Ramirez, Ballet Hispánico has become a catalyst for bringing communities together to celebrate and explore Latino cultures from around the world. The company of fifteen, representing a number of nationalities, brings to the stage training in modern and classical dance plus ballet.
The Cuban-born Vilaro, a former Ballet Hispánico dancer, has since 2009 infused the company with a vision of social equality, cultural identity, and quality arts education.
“Ballet Hispánico has been a gem of the New York dance scene for years, and, in their season premiere at the Joyce Theater [in April], the company proved as strong as ever,” writes a Village Voice reviewer. “Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro gives his troupe … opportunities to work with choreographers from around the world, producing contemporary works of bold technique that illuminate concerns of Latino/a identity and resiliency.”
Following the performance, Ballet Hispánico artists will participate in a discussion with audience members.
This presentation is part of the Center for the Performing Arts Diversity and Inclusion Collaborative, which seeks to: immerse an array of people in the performing arts; educate the community about cultures and art forms different from the familiar; influence thinking so we become a community that embraces diversity and promotes inclusion; ensure the activities of the collaborative have a sustainable impact on the community. Funds from across Penn State and throughout the community support the initiative. The University’s Equal Opportunity Planning Committee provides lead funding. Sandra Zaremba and Richard Brown provide support.
support provided by
Penn State International Dance Ensemble Endowment
