Sleepless - Simple Things - Dream Play
Exemplifying today’s most important and influential choreography, Jacob’s Pillow presents three of the finest pieces choreographed for NDTII. Sleepless is a creation for six dancers by Jir¹i Kylián, who has said of his work, “Moving—and being moved. Motion—and emotion. I have a fundamental interest in movement in space, between objects, and movement of the soul. The nature of moving is such that if you move towards something, you automatically move away from something else. Are we really clear in our intentions? Are we really sure that we want to move towards or away from…? I find this an interesting question, which, inevitably, has a great influence on our existence, our intentions and our passing through life. This rather simple yet very complex philosophy has been, is, and will always be, my closest companion.”

In Simple Things, Hans van Manen, a master of simplicity, starts with a basic form, varies with couplings of dancers, and shows how new movements arise from clean lines and clear movements. Two men begin and end the ballet with a duet, dancing a lyrical and passionate pas de deux.

With Dream Play Johan Inger has created an abstract yet narrative ballet to Stravinsky’s “Le Sacre du Printemps.” He gives a new perspective to the heavily charged story of the ritualized spring sacrifice, reducing it to a daydream inspired by a fleeting sexual encounter. Then comes a wish-fulfillment dream, an erotic and sometimes aggressive game in which the six dancers occasionally play rough with the inventive set. Inger’s earthy, expressive movements mesh perfectly with Stravinsky’s raw sounds. At Jacob’s Pillow, gain context for the work with a Post-Show Talk with the artists on Thursday and pre-show talks with Pillow Scholars-in-Residence 30 minutes before each performance.

About Nederlands Dans Theater II
Nederlands Dans Theater II was founded in 1978. In its more than 25 years of existence, it has developed into a top quality, internationally recognized company performing in theaters all over the world; Spain, Czech.-Republic, New Zealand, Turkey, USA, France, Germany, South Korea, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and the Dutch Antilles.
Nederlands Dans Theater II consists of 16 dancers between the age of 17 and 22, all of whom completed a classical ballet training. Dancers are recruited from all over the world.
The initial aim with Nederlands Dans Theater II was to 'feed' the main company (Nederlands Dans Theater I) with its young dancers. It served as a bridge period to mature the freshly graduated dancers from the various classical conservatories and schools, and prepare them for a professional dance career.
Today over 70% of the dancers of Nederlands Dans Theater I started their career in Nederlands Dans Theater II.

The repertoire of Nederlands Dans Theater II is quite varied, working with established choreographers such as Jirí Kylián, Hans van Manen, Ohad Naharin, Paul Lightfoot/Sol León and Johan Inger, but also--more importantly--working with young and upcoming choreographers.
Over the past few years, Nederlands Dans Theater II has developed into a company of today. Working closely with young choreographers, and confronted by different choreographic styles and techniques, has given these young dancers the opportunity to react closely to contemporary developments in music and art of the 1990's. These talented young dancers are able to mirror the realities of today and incorporate these elements into new productions as a kind of Zeitgeist of the 21st century. Nederlands Dans Theater II especially aims to interest and excite young audiences for today's dance.

Gerald Tibbs
Executive Artistic Director of Nederlands Dans Theater II
Gerald Tibbs was born in Richmond, Virginia. At the age of 19, he attended the North Carolina School of the Arts, where he enrolled in the drama department. Soon thereafter, he switched to the dance department and a year later he joined the North Carolina School Company. He danced with them for a period of two years. Then he went to New York for further training with David Howard. In 1975, he joined the Nederlands Dans Theater and has danced with Nederlands Dans Theater for the last 15 years, working with such significant choreographers as Jirí Kylián, Hans van Manen, Glenn Tetley, Ohad Naharin, Christopher Bruce and Nacho Duato.
In 1990, Gerald Tibbs took over Arlette van Boven's position as director of the Nederlands Dans Theater II company.

Credits

Sleepless
Choreography: Jirí Kylián
Music: new composition by Dirk Haubrich, based on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Adagio in c-minor KV 617 (1791)
Costumes: Joke Visser
Décor: Jirí Kylián
Light: Kees Tjebbes
World premier: November 11, 2004, Lucent Danstheater, Den Haag
Duration: 26 minutes

Simple Things
Choreography: Hans van Manen
Music: Guy Klusevsek & Alan Bern (accordeon), Scarlatti Fever (2000), Joseph Haydn, piano trio Nr. 28 in E-major, Hoboken 15, Allegretto (1797), Peteris Vasks, Weiße Landschaft for piano (1980)
Light: Joop Caboort
Decor and costumes: Keso Dekker
World premier: November 14, 2001, Lucent Danstheater Den Haag (Holland Dance
Festival)
Duration: 17 minutes

Dream Play
Choreography: Johan Inger
Music: Igor Stravinsky: ‘L’adoration de la terre’ from Le Sacre du Printemps (1911-1913, revised 1947/1965)
Decor and costumes: Mylla Ek
Light: Erik Berglund
World premier: November 16, 2000, Lucent Danstheater Den Haag
Duration: 16 minutes


New York Times:
"This ensemble's visit revealed new directions. Nederlands Dans Theater II' s current crop of dancers are highly appealing and particularly gifted."

Le Quotidien, France:
"The Juniors already have their own, significant style, full of vigor, extraordinary flexibility and exceptional passion. The group impresses by strength, cogency and talent."

Südwest Presse, Germany:
"What the Nederlands Dans Theater II presented here - apart from that they are hardly second of the main company - is that consequent, stylistic development of pure ballet."