KWDP will showcase three favorites from its repertoire Dirty Faced Angels, Suburban Symphony and All that Glitters. Last season’s premiere of the upbeat A Little Mozart costumed by designer Michael Pacciorini returns to the lineup. Guest Company, La Danserie, led by Patrick Franz will round out the event.

Kenneth Walker Dance Project (KWDP) is a contemporary ballet company dedicated to the expression of the modern condition through the lens of the classical vocabulary. Supported in part by a grant from the Arts Council for Long Beach and The City of Long Beach, KWDP’s vision is to bring the artist and audience to the poetics of the human condition and believes in the transforming capacity of art and its power to affect human lives.

Comprised of local dancers, KWDP is a vehicle for nationally recognized choreographer Kenneth Walker.  The company has appeared at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina (2006/2007), AAPHERD Southeast Conference in Virginia (2006), American Dance Guild Festival in New York (2007), MAD BAD Festival Bay Area (2009), Pasadena Dance Festival (2010) and Golden West Dance Invitational (2011). Mr. Walker’s choreography is well received by audiences and critics. John Meehan former Hong Kong Ballet director described Walker’s Savage Grace as “…a fun piece, full of energy with some nice choreographic invention. Alum Jones, former director of Louisville Ballet called Savage Grace “tremendous.”

from the Arts Council for Long Beach and the City of Long Beach.

Upcoming Performances:

May 19, 2012 8pm

El Camino College Marsee Auditorium
16007 Crenshaw Boulevard Torrance, CA 90506
KWDP performs in Somewhere In-between.

This show explores a range of works investigating the myriad possibilities for movement and meaning from unique artistic perspectives. Works featured are from the repertory of the Kenneth Walker Dance Project, choreographers Jamie Carbetta Hammond, Emma Jürgensen Kheradyar, emerging choreographers Kayla Bixby and Hugo Diaz amongst others.  KWDP will be performing Groove Juice and Focus on the Middle Distance.
Tickets $15 and available at the box office or online:

Read audience comments from our past shows.

Recent Past Performances:

Little by Little, AKA Poco a Poco August 13, 2011

Golden West College Dance Invitational -February 18, 2011

“Carte Blanche”, hosted by La Danserie -February 11, 2011 -Plaza del Sol Performance Hall

From the ground up- August 14, 2010 Martha Knoebel Theater, Long Beach, CA

“Uncaged” hosted by California Contemporary Ballet – July 17,2010

Help Desk/L.A. Showcase – April 18, 2010

Pasadena Dance Festival – February 20, 2010

Invitational Dance Concert at the Golden West College Theater-

September 18, 2009, Huntington Beach, CA

TriArt Festival – September 13, 2009, San Pedro, CA

Mortgaged Dreams – August 2, 2009, Martha Knoebel Theater, Long Beach, CA

MadBad Festival – May 1 & 2, 2009, Concord, CA

“Ballet had not always been a part of my life. Exposure to KWDP has forever altered my view of the art and the dancers who perform to perfect their craft. The beauty of KWDP is that it makes a classical, time-honored tradition accessible to everyone, then reels them in with the new and unexpected. In a time when the arts are placed on the backburner, it’s great to see a company that engages the dance, as well as general community through the simple act of sharing a passion. A follower of the company for some time, it’s clear this is not the little company that could, but the little company that will. ” –Lana Daoud patron

“The often uncommon view by emerging choreographer Ken Walker manifests a visceral kinetic energy infused with intelligence and sensitivity.“      -Ron Cunningham Artistic Director Sacramento Ballet

“The choreography of Kenneth Walker is original, versatile, intelligent, and well crafted. Mr. Walker is a choreographer to watch.“ -Diane Lauridsen Artistic Director South Bay Ballet and Lauridsen Ballet Centre

William Glackin of the Sacramento Bee called the pas de deux from How broad be they shoulders “…a romantic…episode.”

“…choreography creates some challenging, difficult movements for the dancers that is highly emotional.”      -Robert Barnett, former director of Atlanta Ballet.

Clark Mitzie of KXJZ in Sacramento hailed his How broad be thy shoulders “…a fascinating work of several different levels.  This was definitely a showpiece, not unlike those action thrillers popular in today’s movie world.“

“Closing the program was Silence Before Dawn, danced by the Chico Community Ballet Company. Creator Kenneth Walker has set this ballet to the cutting edge music of Philip Glass, and the two elements work well together.”      -Chico News and Review

“The show ended solidly with… Kenneth Walker’s Take Me Home,”      -Chico News and Review

“Kenneth Walker’s latest, Angel’s Lament, featured a lively quartet with on-pointe preening and high-flying hunks.”      -Victoria Looseleaf, L.A. Times

“Ken is a thoughtful choreographer with strong ideals and the background to support his work.“      -Molly Lynch, Artistic Director Emeritus Ballet Pacifica.

Mr. John Meehan director of Hong Kong Ballet described Savage Grace as “…a fun piece, full of energy with some nice choreographic invention.”

Mr. Alun Jones former director of Louisville ballet called Savage Grace “tremendous”.

“(Gate) Kenneth Walker’s sparse study of beautifully orchestrated body geometries interrupted by quirky gestures. Cool, collected leg extensions are joined by kneading, fluttering hands and shaking hips,…In this world all actions – virtuosic and pedestrian alike – are deliberate, restrained, executed with precision and the noble carriage of an upright torso. A gorgeous female duet presses against the limits of the downstage space, finely-articulated legs swiveling and slicing through intersecting planes in complementary timings..” –danceinla.blogspot.com

“If they come to a venue near you, I highly recommend it.” –kojiskitchen.blogspot.com

“Saw Flesh and Blood last night, loved it.” Mike Napoli, Performing Arts Live

“All that Glitters” starkly illustrated KWDP’s easy marriage of modern and ballet. Bursts of modern dance erupted from balletic movements as fluttering hands transitioned into arabesques; pique turns yielded to unexpected hip and shoulder undulations; pirouettes lead to skipping, creating a surprisingly robust lyrical tableau.” – Joanne Zimbler via exploredance.com

June 25 from 6:30pm-9:30pm at the home of one our fantastic board members, we will be hosting one of our famous pay our rent cocktail parties. This is a great opportunity to meet the dancers, talk to fellow patrons, and show your support for the company. We’re suggesting a donation of $11 to help fund programming for our 2012 season. We will be making a special announcement at the party, so don’t miss it. We ask that you RSVP at ken@kennethwalkerdanceproject to receive the address.

From Twitter:
I loved it when Kenneth was spinning around w/ that dancer in the air and I loved Corey’s solo. Too many highlights to put n a tweet.