Since opening its doors in 2008, The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center has been familiarly referred to by some as The Broad. In an attempt to distinguish itself from The Broad Museum in downtown Los Angeles, its public relations team suggested that everyone use the three-part name The Broad Stage. Now, for the 2022/2023 season the venue announces a “New Name, New Look, Bold Vision – The Broad Stage become BroadStage.” Though this is a very subtle alteration, for those of us at LA Dance Chronicle who write about what occurs at this beautiful venue, BroadStage is a welcomed clarification.
BroadStage Exterior
“Shortening our name to just one word, BroadStage is meant to suggest that at BroadStage you are invited BackStage. You will get to know our artists: their creative processes and practices will be celebrated as well as the incredible performances they will have to offer,” Artistic and Executive Director Rob Bailis said.
Broad Stage now incorporates three adjoining spaces: The Edye, an intimate black box space and the indoor/outdoor and immensely versatile East Wing. The Broad Foundation has gone beyond its historical generously by awarding BroadStage with an endowment of $10 million gift that will not only support the organization’s operations and programming, but also encourage others to help grow BroadStage’s reach and impact.
Ashwini Ramaswamy – Photo by Maria Baranova-Suzuki
“Our new look and feel reflect the path we have selected to travel in our programming and as a gathering place for new ideas in our community. The electric magenta color we have selected as our signature speaks to our promise to be bold and bring energizing, visually arresting works to our stages. The new “B” logo invites each of us to “B” as we are, to bring our authentic selves to this welcoming space and B joyful, B moved, and B inspired,” Bailis added.
The B’s Also Suggest:
B Included: Engage with the artists beyond the stage at free community and college events inspired by our programs. Find your creative spark with workshops, panels and master classes!
B Familiar: Go beyond the scenes with our free online REVEAL library. Enjoy interviews and highlights from the artists’ transformational practices as they develop their performances
B Intrigued: Discover creativity. Immerse yourself within live or online performances, intergenerational audiences that include community members and students experiencing the arts through field trips, digital access and with Learning Guides for everyone!
Mark Morris Dance Group in “Grand Duo” – Photo by Jim Coleman
Dance at BroadStage
BroadStage’s very diverse 2022/23 season will feature thirty-three performances that include three dance world premieres – Mark Morris Dance Group’s The Look of Love, An Evening of Dance to the Music of Burt Bacharach (October 20-23), Being Future Being a multi-disciplinary work by choreographer of Yup’ik descent Emily Johnson /Catalyst Dance (September 8-10), and Barak Ballet’s first full evening ballet Memoryhouse, set to composer Max Richter’s album of the same name (June 15-17).
Other dance that is new to Los Angeles will be Ashwini Ramaswamy’s Let the Crows Come (April 7-8) and a wordless comedy production that promises to be filled with both human and non-human movement for all ages is Air Play by Acrobuffos (July 21-31)
Emily Johnson/Catalyst – Photo by Cheryl Lynn Tsushima.
“A change has taken place. We have emerged from the chrysalis of the last two years with a new set of wings — a beautiful new color, a brand new shape — our story of transformation is ready to be shared. All of it inspired by and profoundly supported by this transformational gift to our endowment from the Broad Foundation.” said Bailis.
To see the full Music, Dance, Theater and More production lineup for BroadStage’s 2022/2023 Season, please visit their WEBSITE.
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle from information provided by Davidson & Choy Publicity
Featured image: Barak Ballet ‘ “Memoryhouse” – Photo courtesy of the company.
