A dancer in orange costume leaps mid-air on a dark stage, spotlight illuminating him, with one arm and one leg extended outward in a dynamic pose.

Prep School: Breath of the Beast

Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, Stephen Petronio is widely regarded as one of the leading dance-makers of his generation. New music, visual art and fashion collide in his dances, producing powerfully modern landscapes for the senses. Founded in 1984, Stephen Petronio Company has performed throughout the world, and is starting their 40th anniversary celebrations with Breath of the Beast at NYU Skirball. Learn more.

Breath of the Beast is scored with live improvisation by Jennifer Koh. Grammy Award-winning violinist Jennifer Koh is recognized for intense, commanding performances delivered with dazzling virtuosity and technical assurance. Koh is a forward-thinking artist dedicated to exploring a broad and eclectic repertoire while promoting equity and inclusivity in classical music. She has expanded the contemporary violin repertoire through a wide range of commissioning projects and has premiered more than 100 works written especially for her. JenniferKoh.com

RELATED EVENTS
  • Thu Nov 2 – Sat Nov 4, 2023

Stephen Petronio Company with Jennifer Koh

  • Dance
Learn More
indefinite article

Lise Friedman on Stephen Petronio

From the start Petronio’s work has captured the pulse and anxieties of modern life.

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A bald person wearing black glasses and a dark turtleneck stands in front of a crumpled metallic foil background, looking downward.

GET INTO IT

GET THEE TO THE LIBRARY

Recommended readings to get you in gear for the show.

  • Ramsay Burt, Judson Dance Theater. Routledge, 2006.
  • Roger Copeland, Merce Cunningham: The Modernizing of Modern Dance. Routledge, 2003.
  • Adrian Heathfield,  ALLY: Janine Antoni, Anna Halprin, Stephen Petronio.  Hirmer Publishers, 2018.
  • Rudi Laermans, Moving Together: Making and Theorizing Contemporary Dance. Valiz/Antennae Series, 2015.
  • Marc Strauss and Myron Howard Nadel, authors, Looking At Contemporary Dance: A Guide For The Internet Age. Princeton Book Company, 2012.

OFFICE HOURS

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Meet a NYFA Artist: Stephen Petronio

“An enormous amount of talent has passed through this company, and it has made all of our lives extremely rich.”

NYFA | July 2014(opens in a new tab)

Extra Credit

Violinist Jennifer Koh provides a behind-the-scenes look at the life and career of a concert artist in this new entertaining and informative video series, Off Stage On Record, for students, artists, audiences and fans alike. Follow Jennifer as she explores creativity, collaboration, recording, the instrument and body, the development of projects from concept to performance, and more