{{Short description|American contemporary dance company}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = '''PARSONS DANCE''' | image = Peel Group.jpg | caption = Parsons Dancers | years_active = 1985 – present | genre = Dance | origin = New York, NY | website = [http://www.parsonsdance.org/Parsons Dance Website] }}
'''Parsons Dance''' is a contemporary dance company founded in 1985 by choreographer David Parsons and lighting designer Howell Binkley that tours nationally and internationally and includes an annual season in New York City, its base.
==History== Parsons Dance was founded on July 17, 1985, by David Parsons and Howell Binkley.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Mission & History |url=https://www.parsonsdance.org/our-mission |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=Parsons Dance |language=en-US}}</ref>
The company consists of nine full-time dancers. It maintains a repertory of more than 80 works, 20 featuring commissioned original scores by composers and musicians including Dave Matthews, Michael Gordon, Milton Nascimento, John Mackey and Phil Woods.<ref name="Tobey">{{cite journal|last1=Tobey|first1=Cheryl|title=Heading Into Battle: David Parsons and New Choreographers|journal=PAJ: A Journal of Performance and Art|date=January 1, 2001|volume=67|pages=93–98}}</ref> Parsons Dance has collaborated with many other artists, including Julie Taymor, William Ivey Long, Annie Leibovitz, Donna Karan and Alex Katz.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Soul of the American Actor |url=https://www.soulamericanactor.com/dance04.shtml |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=www.soulamericanactor.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Parsons Dance |url=https://www.artwp.net/dance-companies/parsondance/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=Art Works Production |language=en-GB}}</ref> Since its founding, the company has performed in more than 445 cities, 30 countries, and 5 continents.<ref name=":0" />
In addition to performances, Parsons Dance also provides various education and outreach programs, workshops, post-show discussions, open rehearsals, studio showcases, and open company classes. In 2016, the company launched Autism-Friendly Programs, featuring sensory-friendly programs and relaxed performances.<ref name=":0" />
As of 2021, Parsons is Artistic Director and Choreographer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Valerie-Jean |title=Review: PARSONS DANCE COMPANY'S POWERFUL REPERTOIRE AND PERFORMANCE PAYS OFF at Segerstrom Center For The Arts |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwdance/article/BWW-Review-PARSONS-DANCE-COMPANYS-POWERFUL-REPERTOIRE-AND-PERFORMANCE-PAYS-OFF-at-Segerstrom-Center-For-The-Arts-20211204 |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref> The company performs in the Joyce Theater.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parsons Dance {{!}} The Joyce Theater |url=https://www.joyce.org/performances/parsons-dance |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=www.joyce.org |language=en}}</ref>thumb|right|Dancer Abby Silva leads a master class at the Parsons Dance Company in May 2006.
== Notable people ==
* Robert Battle * Roger Montoya * Katarzyna Skarpetowska (1999-2006)
==References== {{Reflist}} *
{{Dance}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Dance companies in New York City Category:Contemporary dance companies Category:1985 establishments in New York City Category:Arts organizations established in 1985