Compañía Nacional de Danza de España at Luckman Fine Arts Complex

Spain’s acclaimed Compañía Nacional de Danza make their Luckman debut with a mixed repertoire program of some of their most celebrated works: Sad Case, by choreographers Sol León and Paul Lightfoot Passengers Within, by choreographer Joaquín De Luz White Darkness, by choreographer Nacho Duato Founded in 1979 under the name Ballet Clásico Nacional and headed by its founding director, Víctor Ullate, the company was later led by María de Ávila who also served as director of the Ballet Clásico Español — placing special emphasis collaborations with choreographers such as George Balanchine and Antony Tudor. María de Ávila would also commission works from the American dancer and choreographer Ray Barra who soon after assumed the director role at the company. In 1990, Nacho Duato was installed as artistic director of what was now called the Compañía Nacional de Danza — a position he held for twenty years. His incorporation brought about an innovative change to the company’s history and makeup, with the inclusion of new, original choreographies within its repertoire, together with long-standing works. Hervé Palito succeeded Duato as artistic director & in 2011, José Carlos Martínez began his tenure as director. In 2019, the INAEM — the Performing Arts and Music Institute of Spain’s Ministry of Culture — announced Joaquín De Luz as the company’s new artistic director.