Set Designer

Choreographer

Straying far from Shakespeare’s familiar path, the peerless Joffrey Ballet returns to Berkeley with Alexander Ekman’s daring and exuberant Midsummer Night’s Dream, a mind-bending trip to a surreal realm of unearthly delights. This “odd, wonderful, provocative and utterly original work” (Chicago Sun Times) begins during the traditional Scandinavian summer solstice festival—the dancers celebrating a day of revelry and romance under the maypole—but soon blossoms into a sensual, otherworldly fantasy. Featuring Swedish indie rock sensation Anna von Hausswolff and performed to a score by composer Mikael Karlsson, Midsummer is a bold fusion of classical and contemporary ballet that artfully blurs the line between the real and the imagined, and makes us wonder, is it all a dream?

The Joffrey Ballet

Cal Performances

Understanding common requirements is part of the nature of artistic work. From there on progress can be made and new work created. The three choreographers whose works form the Common Ground performance share a connection with the Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) in The Hague. Along with a shared artistic conviction, in which humour also has its place, their choreographies are interwoven with connections filled with subtle content – and all of them have had world premieres at the NDT. The first two are inspired by music for string quartet. And the first and third pieces are each based in their own way on the concept of seduction.

Common Ground

Max-Joseph-Platz

A group of young men who are friends can be compared to a pack of puppies: playful, powerful and exuberant, they compete, argue and form alliances. In Hofesh Shechter's dance piece Uprising, boundaries are repeatedly tested and yet a clear sense of togetherness is the basis of the playful test of strength. The drive that develops in Uprising allows the group to climb many peaks and the power of friendship and community gives wings. The pulsating percussion music was composed by the choreographer himself.

Shechter – Goecke – Ekman

Opernplatz

The captivating Catch, by British choreographer Liam Scarlett with music by Philip Glass, mesmerizes audiences with its pure movement that showcases the athleticism of Atlanta Ballet's dancers.
Tuplet, from Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman, with music and sound by Mikael Karlsson, uses dancers' bodies as percussion instruments, creating driving tempos with impeccably timed dance movements.

The season finale will feature the return of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, the Belgian-Colombian choreographer fresh off the record-breaking success of Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon, with a riveting new creation.


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Catch Tuplet

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

The curtain rises and – wheat is harvested on the open stage! Star choreographer Alexander Ekman was inspired by the customs of his Nordic homeland to create a world-famous dance work of art.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Opernhaus Dortmund

Carmina Burana will be the dramatic conclusion to an extraordinary season. In collaboration with Canterbury Voices, more than 50 singers will join Oklahoma City Ballet dancers for this iconic work based on a collection of 13th century songs and poems.

Shorts

Civic Center Music Hall

Far from a Shakespearean tale, Ekman’s 'Midsummer Night’s Dream' is a mind-bending trip to a surreal realm of unearthly delights. Set during the traditional Scandinavian summer solstice festival, dancers celebrate a day of revelry and romance under the maypole, which soon unravels into an otherworldly dream. Ekman’s picturesque fusion of classical and contemporary ballet blurs the line between the real and the imagined and makes us wonder, is it all a dream?

Midsummer Night's Dream

Lyric Opera House

PNB’s season-opener is jam-packed with whimsy, artistry, and drama. Built on a foundation of music from Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and Schubert, this triple-bill looks at the world of dance through the unique perspectives of Jiri Kylian and Alexander Ekman.

Set Designer, Choreographer

Alexander Ekman

Events

Upcoming events

Mar 28 - Jul 14, 2026

Common Ground · Bayerische Staatsoper

Past events

17 - 19 Apr, 2026

The Joffrey Ballet · Cal Performances

Mar 28 - Jul 14, 2026

Common Ground · Bayerische Staatsoper

About

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