International Dance Company of the Month: BeijingDance/LDTX

BroadwayWorld is excited to expand its popular feature series outside the U.S. borders setting our sights on showcasing performance companies around the world! Each month we will introduce you to an intearnational theater, dance and opera company located in one of our coverage countries.

Today, we feature China's premiere dance company - BeijingDance / LDTX!

The birth of BeijingDance / LDTX (Lei Dong Tian Xia , literally translated as Thunder Rumbles Under Heaven) in September of 2005 not only caught widespread international attention, but also captured the imagination of many artists in China.

BeijingDance / LDTX was born out of a controversial and exciting time of rapid cultural change in China, becoming China's first professional dance company founded independently from government.

Founded by veteran choreographers and a new generation of dancers in China, BeijingDance / LDTX is a platform for contemporary creations. Under the artistic direction of Willy Tsao, China's foremost figure in modern dance, and deputy artistic director Li Hanzhong, the company boasts an ensemble technically exquisite dancers and a diverse repertoire. Based in China's capital, BeijingDance / LDTX serves as both a leader and a catalyst for the modern and contemporary dance and dance appreciation movement.

In June 2009, the company founded LDTX II in order to further nurture young talent. By presenting new choreographers and providing platforms for developing artists, BeijingDance / LDTX pioneers China's most cutting edge choreography.

Since its creation in 2005, BeijingDance / LDTX has traveled extensively throughout Mainland China, Hong Kong, Europe and North America. The company has participated in many cooperate and commercial engagements in China and is available for hire. In addition, BeijingDance / LDTX hosts the annual Beijing Dance Festival, which brings the world's most innovative work to the nation's capital.

Through performance seasons, educational programs, technique classes, and outreach activities, BeijingDance / LDTX attracts aspiring dancers and artists to contemporary dance and serves as an important voice in the evolution of modern Chinese thought and society.

This year's Beijing Dance Festival will take place July 14 to 26 with over 16 programmes and over sixty original works. Other events this Spring include 'White Night' from choreographer Wang Yuan Qing. The performances take place April 12-14 at the BeijingDance/LDTX Theatre.

To learn more about BeijingDance / LDTX, click here

Know of an international dance company we should feature? Send your suggestion to romi@broadwayworld.com

Info and photos courtesy of Beijing Dance.