Aldeir Monteiro and Ryoko Tanaka in Caili Quan's Circadia. Photo by Rosalie O'Connor

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Fresh from its first NYC engagement under the leadership of Artistic Director Ethan Stiefel, American Repertory Ballet returns to Princeton’s McCarter Theatre Center with its popular and dynamic triple bill, Movin’ + Groovin’ on Saturday, April 1 at 7:00pm.

Called “an exceptional evening of contemporary ballet” (Critical Dance), the critically celebrated program features Ja’ Malik’s Moving to Bach, set to Bach’s Sonata for Violin Solo No.1; Caili Quan’s Circadia, set to an eclectic array of music ranging from Boban Markovi Orkestar, The Teskey Brothers and Gabriella Smith; and Claire Davison’s Time Within A Time, set to the music of Fleetwood Mac.

Annie Johnson and Andrea Marini in Claire Davison's Time Within A Time. Photo by Rosalie O'Connor

"Movin’ + Groovin’ is a vivid example of ARB's commitment to commissioning and fostering the presentation of diverse makers, movements and modalities in ballet and dance,” says ARB Artistic Director Ethan Stiefel. “Ja' Malik, Caili and Claire infuse their work with singular vocabularies and points of departure, creating an exhilarating and special evening of dance.”

For tickets and more information, visit arballet.org or call (609) 258-2787.   McCarter Theatre is located at 91 University Place in Princeton, New Jersey.

CHOREOGRAPHER AND REPERTORY DETAILS

Artistic Director of Madison Ballet, Ja’ Malik has been called a “choreographer to watch” by The New York Times. Describing his piece Moving to Bach, Malik says, “I was inspired by both the dancers of ARB and Bach’s beautiful Sonata for Violin Solo No. 1. This work for five dancers illustrates the ever evolving world of exhilarating physicality, in both a direct relation and counter relation to the rhythmically serene and sometimes explosive score by Bach.”

Leandro Olcese in Ja' Malik's Moving To Bach. Photo by Rosalie O'Connor

Caili Quan is a New York-based choreographer who danced with BalletX from 2013-2020. Her piece for ARB is inspired by how the body is affected during sleep. “Sleep gives us a place to recover, but it is also where our minds choose memories to keep. It also allows us space to reminisce and dream,” she says. “The music for the work is an eclectic mix that made me want to move, but also felt like a soundtrack to our dreams."

Claire Davison: Featuring six songs from the legendary band Fleetwood Mac, Time Within A Time reflects on recent years and how it might feel to return to a place, such as a theater, studio, workplace - or to each other. The piece is also greatly influenced by the band’s personal stories, highlighting founding member Peter Green. “The ARB dancers are a dream to work with: talented, eager, passionate, and willing to play. And, the music of Fleetwood Mac is unbeatable.” 

Led by Artistic Director Ethan Stiefel, with Artistic Associate Gillian Murphy, American Repertory Ballet (ARB) is New Jersey’s preeminent ballet company, presenting classical repertory alongside new and existing contemporary work. ARB is a founding resident company of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center and also performs in major venues across New Jersey and beyond for an annual audience of more than 30,000. Founded in 1954 as the Princeton Ballet Society, ARB has been designated a “Major Arts Institution” by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts consistently for the past two decades and has repeatedly been awarded a Citation of Excellence by the Council. The company has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and other major foundations and leaders in the field as a prominent force in the field of dance. Princeton Ballet School, ARB’s official school, attracts talent from around the world while providing opportunities for local students of all ages, such as through its award- winning DANCE POWER program.