For nearly forty years, Parsons Dance has been devoted to bringing life-affirming performances and joy to audiences worldwide.  Praised for its dancers who possess the athletic prowess and technical skill to help achieve this mission, the company will be in residency at the Catskill Mountain Foundation from November 2-9, while it works with choreographer Courtney "Balenciaga" Washington on creating a new piece co-commissioned by Parsons Dance and Works & Process at the Guggenheim.  

Courtney’s commitment to community, mentorship, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC voices is widely applauded.  She is the founder of the Masterz at Work Dance Family and the House of Juicy Couture, cultural institutions offering essential artistic support. And her choreography, featured at such acclaimed spaces as Lincoln Center Out of Doors and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, is applauded, too.

Here’s what Courtney says about her new creation: “The piece explores the dynamic interplay between unity and individuality, showcasing both the collective strength and the unique presence of each dancer in the company. It emphasizes the beauty of coming together as a family, while giving artists the space to express distinct identities within the larger ensemble.”

Included in the Catskill Mountain Foundation residency is a November 8 at 7:00pm public performance that will take place at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center, the Foundation’s recently upgraded venue located in picturesque Tannersville, New York.

The audience will be treated to a preview of Washington’s full-company work followed by a Q & A with the choreographer, and it will also have the chance to experience some of the most cherished pieces from the Parsons repertory: Nascimento, Balance of Power, and Caught, along with Jamar Robert’s Juke, his critically acclaimed piece commissioned by Parsons Dance in 2024.  

Presented in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim. 

Now in its 27th year, the Catskill Mountain Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization which offers a variety of programs and workshops centered on the arts. It owns and runs The Orpheum Performing Arts Center, The Doctorow Center for the Arts (which includes the Mountain Cinema, a performance space, and the Piano Performance Museum), Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts, a Natural Agriculture farm and the Guide Magazine. The Foundation has long term partnership programs with The Joyce Theater Foundation, Works & Process at the Guggenheim, the National Dance Institute and Catskill Mountain Shakespeare, and is also home to the Hunter International Music Festival, The Academy of Fortepiano Performance, the Orpheum Dance Program, and the Maude Adams Theater Hub.