Limón Dance Company

Feel the gravitational pull of Limón Dance Company’s passionate modern dance radiating with the triumph of the human spirit. Highly acclaimed for dramatic expression, technical mastery and expansive yet nuanced movement, the 80-year-old company continues to captivate audiences worldwide with the refined strength and visceral storytelling of founder José Limón.

The program highlights the best of the classic and the new. Limón’s World War II-inspired “Missa Brevis” (1958) is a mournful yet optimistic modern ballet set to Zoltán Kodály’s score, featuring the Northrop pipe organ, University Singers and University of Minnesota dance program students. The world premiere of a Northrop Centennial Commission reimagines Limón’s masterpiece “The Moor’s Pavane” (1949), based on William Shakespeare’s gripping tragedy “Othello.” The highly anticipated new work brings together the vision of celebrated choreographer Akram Khan with the voices of creative collaborators Aditya Prakash (composer) and Zeynep Kepekli (lighting designer). This one-act version marks the company’s second Centennial Commission — Limón’s largest choreographic commission to date — as well as Khan’s first new creation for an American dance company.

Content Warnings/Age Recommendations

May contain moments of onstage violence. This performance is recommended for ages 11 and older with parent/guardian discretion.

Themes

This company’s choreography includes expression not only through the body, but also through the physical space. Their choices are intended to activate or transform the space in some way. We also do this in our lives, perhaps without realizing it. What is one way that your presence or energy might activate a space? How might the space be changed once you have entered it?

Accessibility

Many performance venues offer accessibility accommodations such as wheelchair seating, assistive listening, sensory ear plugs, ASL interpretation, open captioning, or audio description, among other options. These accommodations are specific to each event, and may not be available everywhere. When registering with us, please let us know what accommodations you need and we will follow up with you!

Transportation

If you do not have access to a ride, call Project Success and we can provide transportation for you. Please let us know if you need a ride when you make your reservation. We will need at least 2 days’ notice to set up transportation.

Childcare

Childcare is available for this performance. Please let us know if you need childcare when you make your reservation.

Additional Media

Here is a historical clip of the original choreographer José Limón in one of the dances: