Hamptons Dance Project Returns For Fourth Year

Hamptons Dance Project (HDP) is back and 2022 performances will take place from Friday, August 12, through Sunday, August 14, at 6 p.m. at Fireplace Lodge, a 20-acre farm overlooking Gardiner’s Bay in Springs, East Hampton. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Jose Sebastian, this highly anticipated event, co-produced by Guild Hall, is celebrating its fourth season.

“I discovered the stage at Fireplace Lodge during our inaugural season in 2019,” explained Sebastian. “I knew it would provide an exquisite setting for dance.”

In deference to pandemic safety, HDP first took the opportunity to perform at this scenic outdoor venue in 2021.

“To experience the beauty of dance with the bay as a backdrop in the natural evening light was incredible.” Sebastian noted. “We are thrilled to be performing at Fireplace Lodge again this year.”

Hamptons Dance Project IV will feature world premiere performances by Houston Thomas and Luke Hickey along with pieces by Adriana Pierce and Jorma Elo. Sebastian is especially happy to also have choreographers Christopher Wheeldon and Justin Peck returning this year.

“We explored Justin’s ballet, ‘Chutes and Ladders,’ through Guild Hall’s William P. Rayner Residency earlier this year. We are looking forward to coming full circle as we present it as part of our 2022 season,” said Sebastian.

This year’s company of dancers includes Sebastian along with ABT dancers Skylar Brandt, Catherine Hurlin, Isadora Loyola, Lauren Bonfiglio, Ingrid Thoms, Sierra Armstrong and Michael de la Nuez.

“Hamptons Dance Project has quickly become one of the highlights of Guild Hall’s summer season,” said Andrea Grover, Guild Hall’s Executive Director. “It adds something new and vital to our programming and is an audience favorite.”

With explosive audience growth and sold-out performances HDP has taken major strides in its mission to promote dance in the East End.

“The area is a hotbed of culture and creativity, but it hasn’t had much dance programming up to now,” Sebastian said. “We’ve been able to accomplish a lot, and we’re only just getting started. We’re so grateful to our audiences for their overwhelmingly positive response, and to Guild Hall and our donors and supporters for making HDP possible.”

Sebastian and Hamptons Dance Project were in residence in January 2022 as the inaugural participants in the Guild Hall William P. Rayner Artists-in-Residence program. The program offers artist collectives the time and space to research, experiment, and develop new ideas and projects. Artists are provided with creative mentorships and administrative support, a commissioning fee, living space, and a purpose-built studio on an exclusive property.

Hamptons Dance Project pairs dancers from American Ballet Theatre and beyond with master choreographers in fresh, dynamic works — including world premieres — that explore a wide spectrum of ballet from contemporary to classical. Learn more at hamptonsdanceproject.org.

Tickets for Hamptons Dance Project are available at guildhall.org and range from $125 for general admission where attendees provide their own chairs or blankets to $200 for VIP preferred seating and a preshow cocktail party.