PRESS
Swans, Gupta and ballet on makeshift stage: The Southern California dance superbloom
“The effect was of being in the moment and, at the same time, going into the future.”
What would the great George Balanchine do A ballet director thinks he has the answers
“It is provocative to aspire to slip into the mind of one of ballet’s great masters.”
How do you dance like Fred Astaire? One ballet pro’s complicated quest for the answer
"Replicating the casual elegance and grace of the most acclaimed dancer in film history is 'about the most difficult task in dance,' said American Contemporary Ballet's artistic director, Lincoln Jones."
Cynthia Rowley mixes ballet dancers, colorful fashion and Dr. Seuss inspirations for L.A. show
"One after one, they exemplified grace and playfulness in Rowley’s designs, prompting one guest standing at the end of the long black platform to ask a friend, “Why isn’t every fashion show like this?"
'Burlesque,' a new Lincoln Jones ballet, a new collaboration with Charles Wuorinen and why it works
"Unfortunately, with a lot of mainstream performing institutions there’s an awful lot of comfort blanket stuff. I don’t have anything against it, but it shouldn’t be the only thing or be the standard by which everything else is evaluated."
Halloween horror translated for ballet: How 'Inferno' will turn Dante into dance
"Lincoln Jones spends his days working with dancers in a studio high above Los Angeles. He can glimpse the San Gabriel Mountains, the Pacific and a well executed port de bras with a sweep of his eyes."
The archeology of dance: American Contemporary Ballet digs back to 1890 with revelatory results
"The freshness, intelligence and stylistic unity of this suite immediately established the credibility of the program and the dancers’ skill..." – Lewis Segal
How a new dance gets made: Behind the scenes at American Contemporary Ballet
"It's kind of like seeing somebody laugh. You glimpse that unrestrained, deeper part of their soul."
"Exploring the Intersection of Music and Dance"
"…Lincoln Jones made the most complex issues seem like child's play in a beguiling 'Dance and Design'..."
“In-your-face Tchaikovsky from American Contemporary Ballet”
"…it soars."
"A bubbly mix of Balanchine, Astaire from American Contemporary Ballet"
"…seated at stage level, just feet from the bounding ballerinas, there was no illusion of ethereal levity here. This was ballet unfiltered…"
"Da Camera Society Dances with American Contemporary Ballet"
“…a welcome new series…”
American Contemporary Ballet’s The Euterpides Puts Classical Art in the Hollywood Spotlight
“This June, Los Angeles’ American Contemporary Ballet will fuse Hollywood flash with classical tradition in The Euterpides….”
American Contemporary Ballet Director Lincoln Jones is Making Ballet Relevant in Los Angeles "Always seeking to make ballet more congruous with modern life, Jones wants an audience to experience ballet for what it is, rather than reaching for what it's supposed to mean."
Watch American Contemporary Ballet Reconstruct Ballet's Earliest Roots
"Watching these early dances, it's fascinating to think about about ballet's journey, and how far it has come."
(Contains Video)
American Contemporary Ballet Thrives in Los Angeles
"ACB has remained afloat despite a turbulent economy by pinpointing the kind of work that Angelenos want to see."
For the Muses
”Here was art as the highest form of hope.”
Lincoln Jones, Serendipitous Moves
…“Homecoming,” an immersive work that revisits high school days, brimming with cheerleaders, a drill team and a marching band, one that I might also dub the world’s first—and only—“popcorn” ballet….
Back to School
”This was a gasp-inducing vignette, especially seen up-close-and personal in ACB’s ultra-cool space. “
A Sweet Nutcracker
”…Jones’ inventive interpretation of the classic is ebullience personified, made even more so with the polished musical arrangements. A wonderful gift to the City of Angels, ACB continues to leave its footprints—pointe shoes and all—on the town where dance should, pardon the pun, be on equal footing, with the other performing arts.”
A Fourth Jewel
“Jones, like Balanchine, whose relationship to music was deep, also understands the body in motion, and is able to create a host of feelings in his ballets.”
Astaire Dances III - a fabulous, fun evening of purebread theater
"There is no reason that ballet, fun and funny can’t get together and have a good time. ACB delivered all that."
ACB Builds Ballet in L.A. With a Radical Twist
"ACB’s contribution will be a unique and important gift to the Los Angeles community."
American Contemporary Ballet Gives Petipa’s Raymonda New Life
"The company created an excitement one is not always able to feel when the dancers are seen from the balcony."
The Nutcracker Suite Performance at American Contemporary Ballet
"It is an experience and performance that fulfills all your childhood fantasies. ...The space is so magical, you want to stay in it forever."
Waltz Into the Holidays with ‘The Nutcracker Suite’
"…a delightful treat just in time for the holidays."
.…American Contemporary Ballet presents ACB Jazz, inviting attendees to 'experience the underground'
“The American Contemporary Ballet is undeniably one of the most talented institutions across the entire globe.”
This Immersive Production of The Nutcracker Lets You Experience the Ballet Like You Never Have Before
"The holiday season is always a festive blur, but whatever you do, don’t miss out on American Contemporary Ballet’s The Nutcracker Suite."
These 'Lost' Ballets Are Being Performed for the First Time in L.A.
"You can see audiences light up with a greater understanding of the steps, the music, and the backstories he tells."
This Show Lets You Time Travel Through 400 Years of Dance History in 60 Minutes
“This is a deep dive into history, but don't expect to snooze in your stage-level seat. Jones talks are lively and company members do all the sweaty stuff..."
What Really Happens At a Ballet Audition
“We got an exclusive look at how auditions work at the American Contemporary Ballet"
American Contemporary Ballet Takes on George Balanchine and Fred Astaire
"The great 20th-century choreographers are being celebrated in Classic Revival style."
American Contemporary Ballet Rediscovers a Russian Classic
"The chill of Eastern Europe meets the heat of summer"
American Contemporary Ballet Turns On the Romance
“Get ready to sway and swoon."
American Contemporary Ballet Examines the Language of Dance
"MUSIC+DANCE: LA: Da Camera Society Unites with American Contemporary Ballet"
"Fred Astaire Returns to Mid Wilshire"
"Celebrating the Legacy of Fred Astaire with American Contemporary Ballet"
"American Contemporary Ballet Pays Homage to George Balanchine"
"Something New Afoot: American Contemporary Ballet Leaps onto Miracle Mile"
American Contemporary Ballet Jazz Review: Lively, Lovely, and Utterly Unique
“If you think you don’t like ballet, it’s because you’ve never seen American Contemporary Ballet.”
American Contemporary Ballet’s The Nutcracker Suite Review: Experiential is the Company’s Forte
"Everyone should make American Contemporary Ballet’s The Nutcracker Suite a holiday tradition. It’s delightful."
American Contemporary Ballet’s The Rite Showing with Burlesque Review: Sad, Saucy, and Brilliantly Cerebral
"It takes guts. Luckily, that's just what ACB is about."
American Contemporary Ballet Review: Opening Season XI in Dramatic Fashion
"If Inferno & Burlesque is indicative of what Lincoln Jones and American Contemporary Ballet have in store for their Season XI, I suggest you make your way to Los Angeles for what will likely be an unforgettable dance and performance experience with a very skilled group of artists and creators."
"American Contemporary Ballet company makes it to the top"
"Forget about an elaborate stage and be ready for an up-close look at dancers in action..."
American Contemporary Ballet invites you to enter The Nutcracker Suite
"This is the ballet to ruin all other ballets for you."
ACB Trailblazes Modern Ballet with The Rite and Burlesque
"This experience showcases why ACB is our favorite ballet, period."
American Contemporary Ballet’s Homecoming Invites You Out into the Bleachers in an immersive Ballet
“Homecoming begins with one of the most impressively choreographed segments I’ve seen from the American Contemporary Ballet.”
Astaire Dances brings Astaire Films Alive in a Jazzy Nightclub with Exceptional Ballet
"Now, Astaire Dances has done the impossible: topped their prior entries to become my favorite ACB performance to date!….This is where American Contemporary Ballet and director Lincoln Jones shines. Their ballet is never traditional in style, but rather a modern, remixed style, ready to impress and delight audiences, while redefining what ballet can be."
The Nutcracker Suite Ballet is an Incredible Immersive Treat
"While the immersive elements are entertaining and engaging, the heart of this experience is the ballet—and American Contemporary Ballet are experts of their craft….It bears repeating: this is the best ballet I have seen."
American Contemporary Ballet’s Inferno And Burlesque is a Ballet Treat Among Gothic Horror Themes
"These performances showcase Lincoln Jones’s expertise in conception, directing, and choreography...Inferno and Burlesque proves that American Contemporary Ballet is unafraid to take risks—and showcase their technical skills in ways that are unconventional and unsettling while remaining thoughtful and evocative."
An Inside Look at American Contemporary Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker Suite’ "With a drastically new vision of the Tchaikovsky original that we’re all used to… ACB again reimagines this ballet"
ACB Presents "Variations on Raymonda" With Fashionable Touches
"Performing in the Los Angeles Fashion District wasn't the only fashion-forward influence..."
"A Modern Rock Star and Old Hollywood Turn the Opera Ball Into a $1.25 Million Night"
White-Tie Glamour in Houston’s Hottest New Hotel
Dance Review: THE EUTERPIDES & SERENADE (American Contemporary Ballet at Television City): Beauty in Step: Grace, Melodies, and ACB’s Elegant New Works
“…the loveliness of the music and simple storytelling was refreshingly easy to enjoy….”
Dance & Music Review: INFERNO & BURLESQUE (American Contemporary Ballet at Television City): ACB’S Fantastic Journey into Hell-oween
“I won’t go any more into the surprising and joyous ending, except to say that if you could have brought a date, but didn’t, you’ll wish you did.”
Review: The Nutcracker Suite (American Contemporary Ballet in Hollywood)
“Of all my immersive experiences in Los Angeles, only two have hit the mark with success and warmed the audience. Both were offered by The American Contemporary Ballet under the imaginative leadership of Lincoln Jones.”
Dance Review: ASTAIRE DANCES III "Here's the perfect chance to see these routines in a form that Fred would've approved – complete, uncut and lovingly recreated."
Dance Review: The Nutcracker "For its refined, unique approach to a festive holiday classic, ACB’s The Nutcracker Suite is a delectable, wintry treat."
I'll Take Astaire's Way to Paradise
"Bring a sweetheart, find a sweetheart, or celebrate the sweetheart that resides in everyone. Heaven. You’ll be in heaven."
“Los Angeles Dance Preview: TCHAIKOVSKY IN BALLET”
"This incredible program should be repeat..."
“Los Angeles Dance Preview: THE SEASONS”
"In just one hour (the current length of the programs), I completely forgot I have a care in the world."
“I Have Seen the Future of Los Angeles Ballet”
"…an enterprise which promises to be Los Angeles’ homegrown world-class ballet company."
“GO FACE THE MUSIC + DANCE”
"…American Contemporary Ballet (ACB) has become the go-to organization for thrilling dance in Los Angeles...The polished technique of the company's dancers combined with the highly original pieces must be experienced. "
“New Ballet Premieres in L.A.”
"“For those who don't know, this small but mighty company is as committed to music as it is to dance."
American Contemporary Ballet: When Dance Meets Design
"In pulling the curtain back on ballet, Jones not only lets out some of the stuffy air from its rarefied world, but also gives audiences an enticing and sophisticated anchor on which to latch their curiosity."
Balanchine’s Palm-Fringed Muse "Lincoln caters to the complexities of the musical score and, like Balanchine, that’s his inspiration. Music transports you, and when you augment that with beautiful dance, it becomes a unique sensory experience."
Jonathan Simkhai and Saks Celebrated the Launch of his Footwear Line with a Nutcracker Themed Dinner
"…they collectively swooned."
"American Contemporary Ballet aims to reach new heights connecting audiences with this classic art form." (Contains Video)
Nutcracker Suite: Behind the Scenes at ACB's Immersive Production [Contains Video]
“A behind-the-scenes look at how this world famous musical art form has been updated for special and unforgettable performances right here in Los Angeles.”
Spectrum SoCal Scene
"You realize and appreciate the level of difficulty that dancers have taken on and how beautifully they make it work."
The Evening Program with Jim Svejda
"…one of America’s most adventurous and exciting ballet companies…"
Ballet is woman
"...an inspired homage to both Balanchine and the composer Igor Stravinsky."
“The duality — the beauty of dance designed to be beautiful, the uncanny familiarity of that beauty — tied the dance and music together all evening.”
American Contemporary Ballet Celebrates Romance and Hollywood Glamour in Tribute to Astaire
"If you’re looking for an escape to a simpler, more elegant time where romance and glamour went hand in glove, you’re in for a treat with Astaire Dances III."
Dance on the 32nd Floor with American Contemporary Ballet
"Astaire’s lyrical dancing may seem unusual for a ballet company, but ACB thrives on melding classical technique with new-school programs."
“The Only Music That Makes Them Dance”
"Starting a ballet company in L.A. has never been easy… There's much to admire about how American Contemporary Ballet has approached that task…"
Ballet in L.A.
"The company dissects ballet for the audience as it's happening."
(Radio Interview)
5 Design Things To Do This Week
PHOTOS: Dance + Design II, The Language of Dance: Eloquence of Astaire
Center Stage: American Contemporary Ballet produces immersive performances incorporating audience participation.
“Anyone who has seen an American Contemporary Ballet (ACB) production knows they are unique.”
“A BALLET FOR EVERY SEASON: AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY BALLET BRINGS NEW LIFE TO LOST BALLET”
"...Lincoln Jones is a magnificently musical and imaginative choreographer with a gift for elegant economy. Never wasting a beat or note, he always pulls the best balletic phrasing out of every bar."
Cool Kids Guide to LA. "I truly love our ACB studios—every time I go I'm inspired to accomplish something new."
Dance Review American Contemporary Ballet (ACB) The Nutcracker Suite
"I cannot remember when I have enjoyed myself so thoroughly at a dance performance"