Ella Rothschild
Ella Rothschild | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1984 (age 41–42) |
| Website | ellarothschild |
Ella Rothschild (born 1984) is a choreographer, dancer, and multidisciplinary artist. She is known for her experimental dance-theatre works presented by international companies including Batsheva Dance Company, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, and Nederlands Dans Theater.
Early life and career
Rothschild was born in Israel.[1] She began her career performing with the Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak Dance Company, and later joined Batsheva Dance Company under the artistic direction of Ohad Naharin.[2]
Rothschild is a dancer with Kidd Pivot, the contemporary dance‐theatre company led by choreographer Crystal Pite.[3]
She performed in Revisor (2019), a hybrid dance-theatre production by Kidd Pivot choreographed by Crystal Pite and Jonathon Young. In the ensemble of eight dancers, she was noted in reviews as “a standout villain as Minister Desouza.”[4]
Rothschild has performed in Assembly Hall (2023). A dance-theatre hybrid by Kidd Pivot that premiered at DanceHouse in Vancouver before touring internationally.[5][6]
Choreographic works
In 2021, Rothschild created a trilogy of works for Batsheva Dance Company: Summer Snow, On the Edge of Nowhere, and A Year Without Summer.[7]
During a residency, Rothschild developed the dance-film Pigulim, which was presented as part of Baryshnikov Arts Center’s digital season in late 2021.[8]
In 2023, Rothschild reinterpreted Petrushka for Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, relocating the classic ballet’s setting to a wilderness landscape.[9]
In 2024, Rothschild created a new piece titled This Solution in The Hague. The work premiered on 5 July 2024. According to NDT, the piece explored characters inhabiting inherited objects, each carrying emotional weight and forming a narrative of resistance, dissolution, and collective unity.[10][11]
Residencies
Rothschild held a residency at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York and participated in the Suzanne Dellal Centre’s inaugural artist-in-residence program, where she created Pigulim.[8][7]
Selected works
- Trilogy for Batsheva (*Summer Snow*, *On the Edge of Nowhere*, *A Year Without Summer*) (2021)[7]
- Pigulim (2021) – dance-film presented by Baryshnikov Arts Center[8]
- Petrushka (2023) – reinterpretation for Opera Ballet Vlaanderen[9]
Bachtrack described the production as “a stripped-back rethinking of the original… parable” featuring “a wooden donkey” in the starring role.[12] De Morgen noted the evening’s visual richness, describing “a poetic puppet of early life and hope,” and commented that the choreography leaned toward contemplative rather than kinetic expression.[13]
- This Solution (2024) – world premiere at NDT 2 in The Hague[10][11]
- Acord (2015) – a one-woman performance combining dance, storytelling, music, and puppetry in non-traditional venues such as galleries. The Jerusalem Post described it as blending "visual theater with physical storytelling".[2]
Critical reception
- On Petrushka / Die sieben Todsünden (Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, 2023), Bachtrack highlighted Rothschild’s “stripped-back rethinking” and unconventional imagery.[12]
- De Morgen described the production as visually striking, featuring a “poetic puppet of early life and hope.”[13]
References
- ^ "Ella Rotschild". Nederlands Dans Theater. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
- ^ a b Greenberg, Debra (15 January 2015). "Pulling the cord". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ "Ella Rothschild". Kidd Pivot. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ Janet Smith (1 April 2022). "Even more to unpack in second viewing of Kidd Pivot's Revisor". Createastir. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ "Kidd Pivot". National Arts Centre. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ Wild, Stephi (20 September 2023). "DanceHouse Performs World Premiere of Kidd Pivot's Dance/Theatre Hybrid ASSEMBLY HALL". Broadway World.
- ^ a b c "Ella Rothschild". Nederlands Dans Theater. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ a b c "Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents Ella Rothschild's PIGULIM December 13–23". Broadway World. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ a b "New choreography of classic ballets set to dazzle audiences at Opera Ghent". Belgian News Agency. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Up & Coming Choreographers 2024". Nederlands Dans Theater. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ a b "This Solution (Programme Book)". Nederlands Dans Theater. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ a b Vikki Jane Vile (18 December 2023). "Two classic stories, refreshed with humour in an engrossing double bill". Bachtrack. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ a b Els Van Steenberghe (23 January 2024). "'Petroesjka' en 'Die sieben Todsünden' bij Ballet Vlaanderen: schurend amusement, overrompelende ervaring". De Morgen. Retrieved 20 August 2025.