Director’s Talk

James S. Snyder, Helen Goldsmith Menschel Director, speaks with Ohad Naharin, House Choreographer of Batsheva Dance Company about his recent projects and creative work.

About the speaker:

Ohad Naharin is the House Choreographer of Batsheva Dance Company and creator of the Gaga movement language. He joined Batsheva Dance Company in 1974 despite having little formal training.  During his first year, guest choreographer Martha Graham invited him to join her own company in New York.  From 1980 until 1990, Naharin presented works in New York and abroad, including pieces for Batsheva Dance Company, the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, and Nederlands Dans Theater.  In 1990, Naharin was appointed Artistic Director of Batsheva Dance Company, and in the same year, he established the company’s junior division, Batsheva – the Young Ensemble. After almost thirty years of leading Batsheva, Naharin stepped down as Artistic Director in 2018, and continues to serve as the Company’s House Choreographer. In addition to his stagework, Naharin also developed Gaga, an innovative movement language based on research into heightening sensation and imagination, becoming aware of form, finding new movement habits, and going beyond familiar limits. Naharin’s work has also been featured in several films including Mr. Gaga, (2015) a comprehensive documentary about Naharin.

Tickets: $24 General; $16 Students and Seniors; $14 Jewish Museum members

Doors open at 6pm; Includes Museum Admission