Mark Morris
Mark Morris is one of America’s star dance choreographers and innovators. His choreography cuts across ballet and modern dance, and his venues embrace opera, theatre, and the dance hall. Born in Seattle, in 1956, Morris learned Balkan folk dance, flamenco, and ballet. When Morris moved to New York he danced with some of the most dominant companies of the time: Eliot Feld, Laura Dean, and Lar Lubovitch. In 1980, Morris formed his own company, the Mark Morris Dance Group. His work became quickly noted for its athleticism, theatricality, and conviction. In 1998, he was invited to become the Director of Dance, and have his group as the resident company, at Brussels’ Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie. He held this position until 1991, when he moved the company to Brooklyn, where they still reside. Although retired from dancing himself, Morris continues to create new works with his company, as well as in collaboration with other well-known artists, such as Mikhail Baryshnikov and Peter Sellars.
