Joyce Theater

The Joyce Theater has been involved with the Cuban dance community since 2001. We’ve led groups to Cuba to experience the island’s rich culture; we’ve commissioned American artists to make work in Cuba; and we’ve brought Cuban companies to the United States to perform at The Joyce and elsewhere.

Highlights

 

2001: The Joyce embarked upon its first trip to Cuba

Using its people-to-people license, The Joyce has led 273 dance colleagues and supporters on 17 trips that have helped bridge the gap with this nearby country through cultural and artistic exchange.

 

2011: The Joyce presents Danza Contemporánea de Cuba

Danza Contemporánea de Cuba—the first Cuban dance company to perform at The Joyce Theater—was presented in a nearly sold-out two-week engagement during New York’s ¡Si Cuba! Festival in May 2011, as part of the company’s first U.S. tour, which was spearheaded by The Joyce.

 

2013: The Joyce commissions Ronald K. Brown to make new work in Cuba

The Joyce took Brooklyn-based choreographer Ronald K. Brown to Cuba to select a company to work with on a new commission. Brown selected Cuba’s Malpaso Dance Company, one of only a handful of newly emerged, independent Cuban dance companies that does not receive government support.

 

2014: The Joyce presents Malpaso Dance Company for the first time

The Joyce presented Malpaso Dance Company in its first performances outside of Cuba in May 2014, in an engagement featuring Ronald K. Brown’s Por Que Sigues (Why You Follow), which Mr. Brown created in Havana during his Joyce-supported creative residency; and Malpaso’s Artistic Director Osnel Delgado’s work 24 Horas y un Perro (24 Hours and a Dog), set to music -featuring an original overture- composed by the Grammy-award winner Arturo O’Farrill.

 

2015: The Joyce began touring Malpaso Dance Company

Supported by Joyce Theater Productions, a new initiative of The Joyce Theater Foundation in partnership with Sunny Artist Management, Malpaso’s 2015–2016 U.S. touring season included 25 performances in 15 cities located in 12 states. Through Joyce Theater Productions, the company continues to tour the nation.

 

Spring 2015: The Joyce commissions Trey McIntyre to make new work in Cuba

Continuing its program supporting the creation of new works by U.S.-based choreographers for Malpaso Dance Company, The Joyce provided commission and travel support for Trey McIntyre in 2015. The Joyce presented Malpaso Dance Company in its second weeklong engagement at The Joyce Theater in spring 2015, in a program featuring Mr. McIntyre’s Under Fire and Mr. Delgado’s Despedida/Farewell, also set to an original score by Grammy-award winner Arturo O’Farrill.

 

Spring 2016: The Joyce presents its first festival of Cuban dance

In May 2016, The Joyce presented a 12-day festival highlighting Cuban dance at The Joyce Theater, May 10–22, 2016, featuring Malpaso Dance Company, DanceAbierta, and Irene Rodríguez Compañía.


Spring 2017: The third Joyce-commissioned work will premiere at The Joyce

The Joyce elected to send a third choreographer to Cuba to create new work. In June 2016, Aszure Barton traveled to Cuba to create a new commission for Malpaso Dance Company. The troupe will perform the work at The Joyce and elsewhere on tour beginning in Spring 2017. 

 

Cuban Dance Community Project Supporters (2012 to present)

Association of Performing Arts Presenters

Diana and Dick Beattie

Rob and Nancy Chimsky/Campo Di Sogni Foundation

Robert Sterling Clark Foundation

Con Edison

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation

Jane Z. Fitzsimmons

Todd Gordon and Susan Feder

Jerome L. Greene Foundation in honor of Karen Brooks Hopkins

Christopher Haun

Katie Heil/Heil Family Foundation

Joan and Jerry Lozinski

Luminato Festival

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Bruce G. Miller and Melanie Coronetz

New England Foundation for the Arts' National Dance Project

Anh-Tuyet Nguyen and Robert Pollock

Jodi Peck/Peck Foundation, Milwaukee LTD

Rockefeller Brothers Fund

Lisa and Richard Witten

 

More on The Joyce's work with Cuba

  • What Comes Next for Cuban Dance