Mark Morris Dance Group

Celebrating its 45th anniversary, the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) stands as a beacon of artistic excellence and innovation in the world of dance. Founded in 1980, the company made its debut in New York City and quickly rose to prominence with a touring schedule that expanded across the US and around the globe. In 1986, MMDG captivated national audiences with its first television appearance on the PBS Dance in America program, and just two years later, it was named the national dance company of Belgium, enjoying a prestigious three-year residency at Brussels’ Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie. Returning to the US in 1991, MMDG solidified its reputation as one of the world’s leading dance companies.

MMDG has a long and celebrated history of performing at Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart and White Light Festivals, as well as at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), where it continues to appear regularly. The company also maintains deep-rooted partnerships with major cultural institutions, including here at Cal Performances, its West Coast home, and at its Midwest home at the Krannert Center at the University of Illinois.

MMDG’s international acclaim includes two Laurence Olivier Awards and a Critics’ Circle Dance Award for Best Foreign Dance Company, earned during its celebrated London seasons. True to founder Mark Morris’ vision, the company has performed with live music at every show since the creation of the MMDG Music Ensemble in 1996. Collaborations with world-renowned artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, Stephanie Blythe, and Ethan Iverson, as well as leading orchestras like the Metropolitan Opera and London Symphony Orchestra, have become hallmarks of the company’s performances.

MMDG also boasts a rich history of interdisciplinary collaborations with visual artists and designers including Robert Bordo, Howard Hodgkin, Adrianne Lobel, Allen Moyer, Isaac Mizrahi, and Martin Pakledinaz. Its film and television work includes Dido and Aeneas, The Hard Nut, Falling Down Stairs, and the PBS Great Performances broadcast of L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato.

Beyond the stage, MMDG is deeply committed to community engagement, offering inclusive arts and humanities programs for people of all ages and abilities wherever it tours. As it marks 45 years of groundbreaking artistry, MMDG continues to inspire, innovate, and connect through the power of dance.