Description

James Sewell, a Minneapolis native, co-founded James Sewell Ballet in New York with Sally Rousse in 1990, and relocated the company to Minnesota in 1993.

The chamber-sized ensemble of eight dancers primarily presents Sewell’s contemporary ballet choreography, which has focused on two areas of exploration: the use of polyrhythmic movement and its antithesis, improvisation. James seamlessly blends movement to combine the spontaneity of improvisation with the formalized structure of set choreography, developing a kinetic language with dancers who are then capable of drawing fully upon this range.

The troupe has worked with the Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Orchestra & Chorale, North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Mozart Festival Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, VocalEssence, Dale Warland Singers, Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Walker Art Center, Weisman Art Museum, Minnesota Dance Theatre, and Ballet Arts Minnesota.

The dancers have performed at more than 300 venues in 28 states, Canada, Iceland, and Bermuda.

The company is incorporated in Minnesota as Ballet Works, Inc. and does business as James Sewell Ballet.

James Sewell Ballet is a member of Dance/USA and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.