Episode 33: Lar Lubovitch

What does it mean to create movement that lasts a lifetime—work that outlives trends, resonates across genres, and moves audiences for generations? World-renowned choreographer Lar Lubovitch joined the studio for a mid-month episode to talk about his creative process and his upcoming projects!

For more than six decades, Lar has shaped the landscape of dance with works that are both technically masterful and deeply human. His own company, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, founded in 1968, has created more than 120 works performed in more than 40 countries.

Lar says that from the moment he started dancing, he knew he would be a choreographer. But dance is a journey he began relatively late at 19. He spoke about the freedom his later start in dance gave him to experiment, mix styles, and create work that bridges the divide between ballet and modern dance. All of this propelled him into success as a groundbreaking choreographer. 

In this interview, he discusses the intersections of his background as a painter and sculptor with his choreography, which he views similarly in brushstrokes and shapes that illustrate the music. He shares that the initial spark of joy seeing dancers move on stage that inspired him to explore dance in the first place is still inspiring him to this day. And he talks about how, at 82, he sees himself as an adult dancer needing to stay engaged with dance even while his experience with the art form evolves as he ages.

He also spoke about his work on Broadway, including staging the original Broadway production of Into the Woods, which earned him a Tony nomination, The Red Shoes, winning an Astaire Award, and the Tony-winning revival of The King and I. He has also made contributions to choreography in the field of ice-dancing, creating dances for Olympic skaters and choreographing two ice-dances for television: The Sleeping Beauty (PBS) and The Planets (A&E, nominated for an International Emmy Award, a Cable Ace Award, and a Grammy Award). 

Finally, he shares the vision behind his new program, Art of the Solo, in which his solo works are brought to life by a cast of dancers as part of The Guggenheim’s Works & Process Series in New York. Check out the conversation!

• Follow Lar Lubovitch Dance Company on Instagram: @lubovitch
• Learn more about Lar Lubovitch Dance Company: www.lubovitch.org
• Purchase tickets to Works & Process presents Lar Lubovitch: Art of the Solo: https://www.guggenheim.org/event/works-process-lar-lubovitch-art-of-the-solo
• Subscribe to The Adult Ballet Studio on YouTube: @adultballetstudio

Music in this episode:

Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

@eblosfield  | [e-mail]

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