Electronic Press Kits
Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet
Islands in the Sea
Saturday, August 16 at 7:00 p.m.
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Press Release
WHO: Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet in Islands in the Sea
WHEN: Saturday, August 16 at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA
LOS ANGELES – Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet returns to The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA on Saturday, August 16 with the world premiere of Islands in the Sea, set to the music of Arvo Pärt and inspired by the William James quote, “We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep.” The work explores the unseen forces that unite us.
The ballet features choreography set to several of Pärt’s most evocative compositions — including Fratres, Passacaglia, Pari Intervallo, Vater Unser, Spiegel im Spiegel, and Für Alina.
Glassworks, set to Philip Glass’ iconic composition of the same name, and Restless, set to music by Zbyněk Matějů, join with the company’s signature rhythmic elegance to complete the program.
Recorded specifically for this performance, the score features pianist Hui Wu, violinist Stephanie Yu, and cellist Elizabeth Wright. Large-scale projections by acclaimed visual artist Mike Nava create a rich, multi-sensory environment in which dance, music, and art converge.
CONTACT
press@theluckman.org
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La Santa Cecilia
Saturday, September 13 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
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Press Release
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Aída Cuevas
Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
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Press Release
WHO: Aída Cuevas
WHEN: Sunday, September 28 at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA
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press@theluckman.org
Sutra
Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Press Photos
Press Release
WHO: Sutra, featuring the Warrior Monks of the Shaolin Temple
WHEN: Sunday, November 2 at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA
LOS ANGELES – The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA announces the Los Angeles premiere of Sutra, the internationally acclaimed collaboration between visionary Belgian choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, trailblazing British sculptor Antony Gormley, and 19 warrior monks from China’s venerated Shaolin Temple. This one-night-only performance takes place on Sunday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
Hailed as a masterpiece of contemporary performance, Sutra is celebrated for its striking visual design, physical intensity, and philosophical depth. This genre-defying work blends kung fu, contemporary dance, and visual art into a seamless and unforgettable theatrical experience that pushes the boundaries of live performance.
“Sutra is a choreographic opus that draws viewers into a richly layered, contemplative landscape,” said Nicholas Mestas, Executive Director of The Luckman. “We are honored to present this extraordinary production in Los Angeles for the first time.”
Inspired by the ancient traditions of the Shaolin Temple, Sutra unfolds as a playful yet profound fable chronicling a European outsider’s journey into the heart of the monastery. The warrior monks’ movements — both meditative and explosive — create a stunning dialogue between stillness and motion, tradition and reinvention. The performance is set to a hauntingly beautiful original score by Polish composer Szymon Brzóska, performed live on stage by a chamber ensemble. Since its 2008 world premiere at Sadler’s Wells in London, Sutra has been presented in nearly 40 countries to audiences totaling over 250,000, earning widespread acclaim and numerous accolades. That same year, Cherkaoui was named Choreographer of the Year by Ballet Tanz.
Tickets can be purchased in person or by phone from The Luckman Box Office at 1-323-343-6600.
Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.com
Produced by Sadler’s Wells in London, with the Athens Festival, Festival de Barcelona Grec, Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg, La Monnaie Brussels, Festival d’Avignon, Fondazione Musica per Roma, and the Shaolin Cultural Communications Company.
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is an internationally acclaimed Belgian choreographer known for boundary-defying works that redefine the possibilities of movement and expression. Since launching his career in 1999, he has created over 50 major works. Cherkaoui has received numerous honors, including two Laurence Olivier Awards for Best New Dance Production, three Ballet Tanz Choreographer of the Year awards, and the prestigious KAIROS Prize for his contributions to intercultural dialogue. He is the founding director of Eastman, his Antwerp-based company, and currently serves as Artistic Director of the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève.
Sir Antony Gormley is one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary artists, renowned for his exploration of the human form and its relationship to space. Born in London in 1950, Gormley has created some of the most iconic public sculptures of our time. His work is held in major collections worldwide, including the Tate, the British Museum, and the Centre Pompidou. Gormley’s numerous accolades include the Turner Prize (1994), the Praemium Imperiale (2013), and a Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for his set design on Babel (words). He was knighted in 2014 by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the arts.
The Shaolin Temple, located in China’s Henan province, is a legendary Buddhist monastery founded in the 5th century. It is renowned as the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu, a discipline combining martial arts, philosophy, and spiritual practice. The Shaolin warrior monks are world-famous for their extraordinary physical prowess, discipline, and meditative focus. Their centuries-old tradition continues to influence martial arts globally and has become a symbol of harmony between body, mind, and spirit.
Szymon Brzóska is a Polish composer acclaimed for his evocative scores that bridge music, movement, and image. A graduate of the Music Academy in Poznań and the Royal Flemish Conservatory in Antwerp, his style blends minimalist nuance with contemporary depth. Brzóska has collaborated with leading choreographers such as Maria Pagés and Yabin Wang, as well as with Het Nationale Ballet (Dutch National Ballet) and Cedar Lake Company.
CONTACT
press@theluckman.org
Isabella Rossellini
Saturday, March 14, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Press Photos
Press Release
WHO: Sutra, featuring the Warrior Monks of the Shaolin Temple
WHEN: Sunday, November 2 at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA
LOS ANGELES – The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA announces the Los Angeles premiere of Sutra, the internationally acclaimed collaboration between visionary Belgian choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, trailblazing British sculptor Antony Gormley, and 19 warrior monks from China’s venerated Shaolin Temple. This one-night-only performance takes place on Sunday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
Hailed as a masterpiece of contemporary performance, Sutra is celebrated for its striking visual design, physical intensity, and philosophical depth. This genre-defying work blends kung fu, contemporary dance, and visual art into a seamless and unforgettable theatrical experience that pushes the boundaries of live performance.
“Sutra is a choreographic opus that draws viewers into a richly layered, contemplative landscape,” said Nicholas Mestas, Executive Director of The Luckman. “We are honored to present this extraordinary production in Los Angeles for the first time.”
Inspired by the ancient traditions of the Shaolin Temple, Sutra unfolds as a playful yet profound fable chronicling a European outsider’s journey into the heart of the monastery. The warrior monks’ movements — both meditative and explosive — create a stunning dialogue between stillness and motion, tradition and reinvention. The performance is set to a hauntingly beautiful original score by Polish composer Szymon Brzóska, performed live on stage by a chamber ensemble. Since its 2008 world premiere at Sadler’s Wells in London, Sutra has been presented in nearly 40 countries to audiences totaling over 250,000, earning widespread acclaim and numerous accolades. That same year, Cherkaoui was named Choreographer of the Year by Ballet Tanz.
Tickets can be purchased in person or by phone from The Luckman Box Office at 1-323-343-6600.
Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.com
Produced by Sadler’s Wells in London, with the Athens Festival, Festival de Barcelona Grec, Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg, La Monnaie Brussels, Festival d’Avignon, Fondazione Musica per Roma, and the Shaolin Cultural Communications Company.
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is an internationally acclaimed Belgian choreographer known for boundary-defying works that redefine the possibilities of movement and expression. Since launching his career in 1999, he has created over 50 major works. Cherkaoui has received numerous honors, including two Laurence Olivier Awards for Best New Dance Production, three Ballet Tanz Choreographer of the Year awards, and the prestigious KAIROS Prize for his contributions to intercultural dialogue. He is the founding director of Eastman, his Antwerp-based company, and currently serves as Artistic Director of the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève.
Sir Antony Gormley is one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary artists, renowned for his exploration of the human form and its relationship to space. Born in London in 1950, Gormley has created some of the most iconic public sculptures of our time. His work is held in major collections worldwide, including the Tate, the British Museum, and the Centre Pompidou. Gormley’s numerous accolades include the Turner Prize (1994), the Praemium Imperiale (2013), and a Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for his set design on Babel (words). He was knighted in 2014 by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the arts.
The Shaolin Temple, located in China’s Henan province, is a legendary Buddhist monastery founded in the 5th century. It is renowned as the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu, a discipline combining martial arts, philosophy, and spiritual practice. The Shaolin warrior monks are world-famous for their extraordinary physical prowess, discipline, and meditative focus. Their centuries-old tradition continues to influence martial arts globally and has become a symbol of harmony between body, mind, and spirit.
Szymon Brzóska is a Polish composer acclaimed for his evocative scores that bridge music, movement, and image. A graduate of the Music Academy in Poznań and the Royal Flemish Conservatory in Antwerp, his style blends minimalist nuance with contemporary depth. Brzóska has collaborated with leading choreographers such as Maria Pagés and Yabin Wang, as well as with Het Nationale Ballet (Dutch National Ballet) and Cedar Lake Company.
Drum Tao
Saturday, March 28, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Press Photos
Press Release
WHO: Sutra, featuring the Warrior Monks of the Shaolin Temple
WHEN: Sunday, November 2 at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA
LOS ANGELES – The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA announces the Los Angeles premiere of Sutra, the internationally acclaimed collaboration between visionary Belgian choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, trailblazing British sculptor Antony Gormley, and 19 warrior monks from China’s venerated Shaolin Temple. This one-night-only performance takes place on Sunday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
Hailed as a masterpiece of contemporary performance, Sutra is celebrated for its striking visual design, physical intensity, and philosophical depth. This genre-defying work blends kung fu, contemporary dance, and visual art into a seamless and unforgettable theatrical experience that pushes the boundaries of live performance.
“Sutra is a choreographic opus that draws viewers into a richly layered, contemplative landscape,” said Nicholas Mestas, Executive Director of The Luckman. “We are honored to present this extraordinary production in Los Angeles for the first time.”
Inspired by the ancient traditions of the Shaolin Temple, Sutra unfolds as a playful yet profound fable chronicling a European outsider’s journey into the heart of the monastery. The warrior monks’ movements — both meditative and explosive — create a stunning dialogue between stillness and motion, tradition and reinvention. The performance is set to a hauntingly beautiful original score by Polish composer Szymon Brzóska, performed live on stage by a chamber ensemble. Since its 2008 world premiere at Sadler’s Wells in London, Sutra has been presented in nearly 40 countries to audiences totaling over 250,000, earning widespread acclaim and numerous accolades. That same year, Cherkaoui was named Choreographer of the Year by Ballet Tanz.
Tickets can be purchased in person or by phone from The Luckman Box Office at 1-323-343-6600.
Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.com
Produced by Sadler’s Wells in London, with the Athens Festival, Festival de Barcelona Grec, Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg, La Monnaie Brussels, Festival d’Avignon, Fondazione Musica per Roma, and the Shaolin Cultural Communications Company.
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is an internationally acclaimed Belgian choreographer known for boundary-defying works that redefine the possibilities of movement and expression. Since launching his career in 1999, he has created over 50 major works. Cherkaoui has received numerous honors, including two Laurence Olivier Awards for Best New Dance Production, three Ballet Tanz Choreographer of the Year awards, and the prestigious KAIROS Prize for his contributions to intercultural dialogue. He is the founding director of Eastman, his Antwerp-based company, and currently serves as Artistic Director of the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève.
Sir Antony Gormley is one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary artists, renowned for his exploration of the human form and its relationship to space. Born in London in 1950, Gormley has created some of the most iconic public sculptures of our time. His work is held in major collections worldwide, including the Tate, the British Museum, and the Centre Pompidou. Gormley’s numerous accolades include the Turner Prize (1994), the Praemium Imperiale (2013), and a Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for his set design on Babel (words). He was knighted in 2014 by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the arts.
The Shaolin Temple, located in China’s Henan province, is a legendary Buddhist monastery founded in the 5th century. It is renowned as the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu, a discipline combining martial arts, philosophy, and spiritual practice. The Shaolin warrior monks are world-famous for their extraordinary physical prowess, discipline, and meditative focus. Their centuries-old tradition continues to influence martial arts globally and has become a symbol of harmony between body, mind, and spirit.
Szymon Brzóska is a Polish composer acclaimed for his evocative scores that bridge music, movement, and image. A graduate of the Music Academy in Poznań and the Royal Flemish Conservatory in Antwerp, his style blends minimalist nuance with contemporary depth. Brzóska has collaborated with leading choreographers such as Maria Pagés and Yabin Wang, as well as with Het Nationale Ballet (Dutch National Ballet) and Cedar Lake Company.
Goran Bregović
Sunday, March 29, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Press Photos
Press Release
WHO: Sutra, featuring the Warrior Monks of the Shaolin Temple
WHEN: Sunday, November 2 at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA
LOS ANGELES – The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA announces the Los Angeles premiere of Sutra, the internationally acclaimed collaboration between visionary Belgian choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, trailblazing British sculptor Antony Gormley, and 19 warrior monks from China’s venerated Shaolin Temple. This one-night-only performance takes place on Sunday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
Hailed as a masterpiece of contemporary performance, Sutra is celebrated for its striking visual design, physical intensity, and philosophical depth. This genre-defying work blends kung fu, contemporary dance, and visual art into a seamless and unforgettable theatrical experience that pushes the boundaries of live performance.
“Sutra is a choreographic opus that draws viewers into a richly layered, contemplative landscape,” said Nicholas Mestas, Executive Director of The Luckman. “We are honored to present this extraordinary production in Los Angeles for the first time.”
Inspired by the ancient traditions of the Shaolin Temple, Sutra unfolds as a playful yet profound fable chronicling a European outsider’s journey into the heart of the monastery. The warrior monks’ movements — both meditative and explosive — create a stunning dialogue between stillness and motion, tradition and reinvention. The performance is set to a hauntingly beautiful original score by Polish composer Szymon Brzóska, performed live on stage by a chamber ensemble. Since its 2008 world premiere at Sadler’s Wells in London, Sutra has been presented in nearly 40 countries to audiences totaling over 250,000, earning widespread acclaim and numerous accolades. That same year, Cherkaoui was named Choreographer of the Year by Ballet Tanz.
Tickets can be purchased in person or by phone from The Luckman Box Office at 1-323-343-6600.
Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.com
Produced by Sadler’s Wells in London, with the Athens Festival, Festival de Barcelona Grec, Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg, La Monnaie Brussels, Festival d’Avignon, Fondazione Musica per Roma, and the Shaolin Cultural Communications Company.
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is an internationally acclaimed Belgian choreographer known for boundary-defying works that redefine the possibilities of movement and expression. Since launching his career in 1999, he has created over 50 major works. Cherkaoui has received numerous honors, including two Laurence Olivier Awards for Best New Dance Production, three Ballet Tanz Choreographer of the Year awards, and the prestigious KAIROS Prize for his contributions to intercultural dialogue. He is the founding director of Eastman, his Antwerp-based company, and currently serves as Artistic Director of the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève.
Sir Antony Gormley is one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary artists, renowned for his exploration of the human form and its relationship to space. Born in London in 1950, Gormley has created some of the most iconic public sculptures of our time. His work is held in major collections worldwide, including the Tate, the British Museum, and the Centre Pompidou. Gormley’s numerous accolades include the Turner Prize (1994), the Praemium Imperiale (2013), and a Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for his set design on Babel (words). He was knighted in 2014 by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the arts.
The Shaolin Temple, located in China’s Henan province, is a legendary Buddhist monastery founded in the 5th century. It is renowned as the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu, a discipline combining martial arts, philosophy, and spiritual practice. The Shaolin warrior monks are world-famous for their extraordinary physical prowess, discipline, and meditative focus. Their centuries-old tradition continues to influence martial arts globally and has become a symbol of harmony between body, mind, and spirit.
Szymon Brzóska is a Polish composer acclaimed for his evocative scores that bridge music, movement, and image. A graduate of the Music Academy in Poznań and the Royal Flemish Conservatory in Antwerp, his style blends minimalist nuance with contemporary depth. Brzóska has collaborated with leading choreographers such as Maria Pagés and Yabin Wang, as well as with Het Nationale Ballet (Dutch National Ballet) and Cedar Lake Company.
