Artists
The world's finest artists from
The Juilliard School and beyond.
Festival Artists
Collage Dance Collective
“THEIR PRESENCE IN SCHENECTADY UPLIFTED AND UNITED OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH DANCE, TRANSFORMING THE STAGE INTO A VIBRANT CANVAS WHERE EVERY PERFORMANCE WEAVED TOGETHER THE GRACE OF BALLET AND THE PROFOUND POWER OF CULTURAL PRIDE.”
-Lanaea Brice, Assistant Director of Programming, Proctors, Schenectady
Rooted in the heartland of Memphis, TN, Collage Dance Collective embodies the greatness of American dance and is at the national forefront of inspiring the growth and diversity of ballet. Collage’s meteoric rise over the last decade is fueled by its dynamic programming, virtuosic company artists and its talent for presenting what the Albany Times Union called “ballet made utterly, gorgeously human.” Collage Dance Collective was recently named a Southern Cultural Treasure by South Arts and the Ford Foundation, is one of the 50 largest ballet companies in the nation and one of the largest Black-led performing arts organizations in the South.
The professional company presents annual seasons in Memphis, plus national and international touring, performing a diverse range of classical and contemporary choreography from Amy Hall Garner, George Balanchine, Wayne McGregor, Nacho Duato, Ulysses Dove, Joshua Manculich, Kevin Iega Jeff, and more.
Collage Dance Collective is committed to expanding the canon of classical works to include diverse stories and perspectives absent or erased from the classical canon. Recognizing that stories connect us to our shared humanity, Collage has multiple narrative works in its repertory that are sure to resonate with ballet lovers and newcomers alike. Kevin Thomas’ enchanting FIREBIRD, set in a South African jungle is a magical tale of salvation, the iconic Rise ballet featuring Dr. King’s prophetic “I’ve been to the mountaintop” speech is even more poignant with all new costumes, and the deeply resonant Their Eyes Were Watching God based on the beloved American classic literature by Zora Neale Hurston - all provide the backdrop to showcase Collage’s virtuosic company artists, its visionary creative team and its relentless pursuit to push the boundaries of classical ballet for contemporary audiences.
Each year our organization engages more than 9,000 students through dynamic professional performances, residencies, masterclasses, lecture demonstrations, workshops and customized arts education initiatives throughout the nation. Collage Dance can design an arts education program to accommodate any group.
