via Ballet Next

Brian Reeder, a freelance choreographer originally from Pennsylvania, brings a new perspective to traditional ballet, and is creating a new contemporary ballet work on Princeton students for the Dance Festival in December.  Reeder’s work comes as a result of collaboration with his cast, rather than simply giving set steps to his dancers.  He is currently a choreographer-in-residence for Ballet Next, a company with the goal of promoting collaborative and innovative dance. Dana Fesjian ‘17 notes, “He fosters a very collaborative work environment so the choreographic process includes everyone and makes experiencing the final product so rewarding.”

Reeder received his training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and then went on to dance professionally with esteemed companies including the New York City Ballet, William Forsythe’s Ballet Frankfurt, and American Ballet Theatre.  The New York Times lauds Reeder for his “good taste and good ideas,” noting his “impressive stylistic range” as a contemporary ballet choreographer, along with his command of the ballet lexicon and his musicality.

Reeder has set works on ABT, Washington Ballet Pacific, Northwest Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and Sacramento Ballet, and served as rehearsal director for Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in 2014.  Reeder has also applied his talents outside of the world of ballet, and has choreographed for the independent film “American Primitive” and the music video “Brit Slap.”

Video: Excerpts of Brian Reeder’s “Market Crash,” set on Sacramento Ballet in 2011