Contact: Helene Davis, 212 .354.7436
Helene@helenedavispr.com
Helene Davis Public Relations

New York, July 30, 2009 RIOULT will present the world premiere of a new work by Artistic Director Pascal Rioult as well Mr. Rioult’s: The Great Mass (2009) and two acclaimed repertory pieces during its 2009 New York season, running January 19 - 24, 2010 at The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street. The season will include a Gala Fundraiser to be held at the Altman Building in Chelsea on Wednesday, January 20 and a post-performance discussion on Thursday, January 21.

Mr. Rioult’s new work, performed to the music of J.S. Bach, is acollaboration with Brian Beasley (projections), Harry Feiner (scenic design) and David Finley (lighting) to create a dance that fully integrates music, movement, scenic design and animated projections.

The Great Mass is a full-evening work that explores the range of spiritual and emotional tones embedded in the
18th-century Roman Catholic Mass as conveyed through this masterful score. Mozart’s Mass in C minor provides the ultimate canvas – and challenge – for Mr. Rioult to express his personal affinity for this musical tour de force through the lens of his neo-moderne style.

RIOULT dancers include Brian Flynn, Penelope Gonzalez, Charis Haines, Patrick Leahy, Michael Spencer Phillips, Robert Robinson, Jane Sato, Anastasia Soroczynski and Marianna Tsartolia.

Former track and field star in France, Pascal Rioult came to the United States on a fellowship from the French Ministry of Culture to study modern dance in 1981. After performing with the companies of May O'Donnell and Paul Sanasardo, he was invited to join the Martha Graham Dance Company. As a principal dancer, he interpreted many of the most prestigious roles in the Graham repertory and in 1990 Ms. Graham created the central role (Death Figure) in her ballet The Eye of the Goddess for Mr. Rioult. He performed opposite Mikhail Baryshnikov and Joyce Herring in El Penitente and was featured in two television specials: Martha Graham in Japan and Five Dances by Martha Graham at the Paris Opera.
Since starting his own company in 1994, Mr. Rioult has dedicated his energies to forging and perfecting a choreographic style of his own, nurturing a robust ensemble of dancers, and growing his company, RIOULT. Mr. Rioult’s works have been commissioned by the American Dance Festival; Cal Arts (Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, CA); the Ballet du Nord in Roubaix, France; the Geneva Ballet, Switzerland; The Orchestra of St. Luke’s; the Harriet and Gordon Greenfield Foundation; the Grand Marnier Foundation; the Théâtre de Saint Quentin en Yvelines, France; and Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA among others. He is a two-time recipient of the Choo-San Goh Award for Choreography.

RIOULT was founded in 1994 and fast became an established name in modern dance with a reputation for creating and presenting the sensual, articulate, and exquisitely musical works of Pascal Rioult. Born into the American modern dance tradition, RIOULT is creating its own legacy of contemporary dance that speaks to the mind as well as the heart of the global community. The company of ten dancers is based in New York City and presents an annual New York season, tours nationally and internationally.
RIOULT prides itself on its commitment to its dancers. Among the primary goals of the organization is to provide steady employment, health care, and foster the artistic development of its performers by offering training classes, teaching opportunities, challenging repertory and extended rehearsal and performance schedules.
Education and community outreach have been integral to RIOULT since its inception. The company’s arts-in-education program DanceREACH offers an interactive approach to introducing students to the world of modern dance. It has impacted thousands of students and community members in New York City and around the world. Ongoing relationships with schools in New York City and the metropolitan area allow RIOULT to inspire new generations of dancers and audiences.

The schedule is as follows: Tuesday, January 19 at 7:30 pm; Wednesday, January 20 at 7 pm; Thursday, January 21 and Friday, January 22 at 8 pm; Saturday, January 23 at 2 pm and 8 pm and Sunday, January 24 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. The post performance gala supper will be held at the Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St. on January 20. Tickets start at $10 and are available at The Joyce Theater Box Office, by calling JoyceCharge at (212) 242-0800 or online at HYPERLINK "http://www.joyce.org" www.joyce.org. Prices subject to change. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street. For further information about the Company or the Gala, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.prdance.org" www.prdance.org.

Major supporters of RIOULT's 2009-10 season include Air France, Shana Alexander Foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies, Crédit Industriel et Commercial, The Grand Marnier Foundation, Harkness Foundation for Dance, Harriet & Gordon Greenfield Foundation, The Niki and Joe Gregory Charitable Foundation, Donald L. Holley, The Geoffrey C. Hughes Foundation, GMCG, LLC, Jana Foundation, Kenneth French Fund for New Works, LePercq deNeuflize, The Lepercq Foundation, The Lila Acheson Wallace Theater Fund of the New York Community Trust, Memorix, Inc.,  NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts, Parker Kandall, The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, The Shubert Foundation, Sidley Austin LLP, and the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation.