Today we beging the daunting task of puting the Fragile Stasis set back together after seven years of sitting in the shop. The "dinosaur" as it has been unofficialy named was designed by Marion Williams who has also designed the costumes for this ballet. Fragile Stasis is one of eight ballets that Marion and I have collaborated on. We have always been interested in creating strong visual statements that don't adhere to the usual idea of what design for ballet is. We work in a very organic way and are always looking to find new and unexpected ways to create visually arresting environments for the dance to live in.

Adam Hougland

Today begins my second week of rehearsal at Louisville Ballet for their Contemporary Voices Program on the 4th and 5th of April. My work, Fragile Stasis, has not been performed since it was created for the company in 2007. Seeing the work come back to life with many of the original cast members still in the company has been incredible. This program will be the Company's final performance under Artistic Director Bruce Simpson who retires this July after running the company for thirteen years. Bruce brought me to Louisville his first season with the Ballet and gave me the title of Principle Choreographer the following year. He has been one of my biggest supporters and and has always given me the creative freedom and mentorship that all choreographers hunger for. I'm so grateful for everything Bruce has taught me and I will miss the wonderful creative partnership we have built. I am confident that his next chapter will be as exciting and fruitful as his time here at the Louisville Ballet.

One of my favorite piece ever created for Louisville Ballet, Cold Virtues, is a being performed this week at the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University. The students of this program are so talented and they were so much fun to work with on Cold Virtues. I have been Artist in Residence at SMU for three years now teaching ballet and staging my work and I always find the students to be engaged, committed and excited to try new things and dive into the creative process.

While all of this is going on in Louisville and Dallas two of my works for Cincinnati Ballet are being prepared for performances in Cincinnati on the 25th and 26th of April and in New York at the Joyce Theatre, May 6th-11th. My new piece will be a collaboration with the band Over the Rhine for the April shows and my collaboration with Peter Frampton, Hummingbird in a Box, will go to The Joyce in May. It's a lot to keep straight in my mind but I am so excited for all of theses exciting opportunities to create!

Adam Hougland

Tonight is the last chance that the students of Southern Methodist University dance department get to work with Adam on Cold Virtues before the show opens on March 26th. This is the second rehearsal in the theatre but the first with costumes, hair and light. Finger waves have been faithfully recreated to add to the dark depression-era drama-and the men are looking pretty slick too!

On a snowy day in Dallas we have updated the website. Hope you enjoy-please get in touch if you would like (you can use the form at the foot of the page!)