Lyric Pieces was created for Birmingham’s International Dance Festival in 2012 (and was her first commission in Europe). Jessica returned to Birmingham Royal Ballet to create Wink in 2016 as part of a programme celebrating the work of William Shakespeare. Both Lyric Pieces and Wink seamlessy incorporate striking design elements alongside Lang’s distintive style.

One of the most celebrated American choreographers of her generation, Jessica Lang, has created more than 100 original works on companies worldwide including American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the National Ballet of Japan, and The Joffrey Ballet, among many others. Lang was the Artistic Director of Jessica Lang Dance from 2011- 2019 leading the creative vision of the organisation that garnered remarkable acclaim performing in over 85 cities worldwide presented by major venues. For Opera, Lang was the director and choreographer of Stabat Mater created for Glimmerglass Opera and was presented by White Lights Festival at Lincoln Center as well as the choreographer for Francesca Zambello’s production Aida for San Francisco Opera, Washington National Opera and Seattle Opera. She is the recipient of a 2018 Martha Hill Mid-Career Award, the 2017 Arison Award and a 2014 Bessie Award. Lang is a graduate of the Juilliard School and a former member of Twyla Tharp's company, THARP! Lyric Pieces, her first commission for Birmingham Royal Ballet, was nominated for a 2013 Manchester Theatre Award. She has since created Wink for the Company (2016).

Wink in rehearsal (2016): Jessica Lang with Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers;
photo: Andrew Ross