As part of the 25th experiment of Le Laboratoire, we are presenting five unique screenings of Restless Creature. 

RESTLESS CREATURE: WENDY WHELAN offers an intimate portrait of prima ballerina Wendy Whelan as she prepares to leave New York City Ballet after a record-setting three decades with the company. One of the modern era’s most acclaimed dancers, Whelan was a principal ballerina for NYCB and, over the course of her celebrated career, danced numerous ballets by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, as well as new works by more modern standout choreographers like Christopher Wheeldon and Alexei Ratmansky; many roles were made specifically for Whelan. As the film opens, Whelan is 46, battling a painful injury that has kept her from the ballet stage, and facing the prospect of her impending retirement from the company. What we see, as we journey with her, is a woman of tremendous strength, resilience and good humor. We watch Whelan brave the surgery that she hopes will enable her comeback to NYCB and we watch her begin to explore the world of contemporary dance, as she steps outside the traditionally patriarchal world of ballet to create Restless Creature, a collection of four contemporary vignettes forged in collaboration with four young choreographers.

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“It’s the time in my life for me to do this — I don’t think I have anything to lose. I have only things to learn and places to grow, and there’s so much untapped artistry and expression in me. These collaborations can tap that artistry and expression in a new way for me.”

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Your ticket to the screening will grant you a special cocktail created by Tenzin Samdo at the bar of the Cafe ArtScience, upon showing your eventbrite ticket confimation

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Screening dates inside the Gallery

Starting at 6:30pm

October 5, 19, Nov 2, 16, 30