Ella Rothschild

Ella Rothschild
Born1984 (age 41–42)
Websiteellarothschild.com

Ella Rothschild (born 1984) is a choreographer, dancer, and multidisciplinary artist. She is known for her experimental dance-theatre works presented by international companies including Batsheva Dance Company, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, and Nederlands Dans Theater.

Early life and career

Rothschild was born in Israel.[1] She began her career performing with the Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak Dance Company, and later joined Batsheva Dance Company under the artistic direction of Ohad Naharin.[2]

Rothschild is a dancer with Kidd Pivot, the contemporary dance‐theatre company led by choreographer Crystal Pite.[3]

She performed in Revisor (2019), a hybrid dance-theatre production by Kidd Pivot choreographed by Crystal Pite and Jonathon Young. In the ensemble of eight dancers, she was noted in reviews as “a standout villain as Minister Desouza.”[4]

Rothschild has performed in Assembly Hall (2023). A dance-theatre hybrid by Kidd Pivot that premiered at DanceHouse in Vancouver before touring internationally.[5][6]

Choreographic works

In 2021, Rothschild created a trilogy of works for Batsheva Dance Company: Summer Snow, On the Edge of Nowhere, and A Year Without Summer.[7]

During a residency, Rothschild developed the dance-film Pigulim, which was presented as part of Baryshnikov Arts Center’s digital season in late 2021.[8]

In 2023, Rothschild reinterpreted Petrushka for Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, relocating the classic ballet’s setting to a wilderness landscape.[9]

In 2024, Rothschild created a new piece titled This Solution in The Hague. The work premiered on 5 July 2024. According to NDT, the piece explored characters inhabiting inherited objects, each carrying emotional weight and forming a narrative of resistance, dissolution, and collective unity.[10][11]

In 2026, Rothschild was the choreographer for Luca Guadagnino's production of John Adams's The Death of Klinghoffer, conducted by Lawrence Renes, at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence, Italy.[12][13]

Residencies

Rothschild held a residency at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York and participated in the Suzanne Dellal Centre’s inaugural artist-in-residence program, where she created Pigulim.[8][7]

Selected works

  • Trilogy for Batsheva (*Summer Snow*, *On the Edge of Nowhere*, *A Year Without Summer*) (2021)[7]
  • Pigulim (2021) – dance-film presented by Baryshnikov Arts Center[8]
  • Petrushka (2023) – reinterpretation for Opera Ballet Vlaanderen[9]

Bachtrack described the production as “a stripped-back rethinking of the original… parable” featuring “a wooden donkey” in the starring role.[14] De Morgen noted the evening’s visual richness, describing “a poetic puppet of early life and hope,” and commented that the choreography leaned toward contemplative rather than kinetic expression.[15]

Critical reception

  • On Petrushka / Die sieben Todsünden (Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, 2023), Bachtrack highlighted Rothschild’s “stripped-back rethinking” and unconventional imagery.[14]
  • De Morgen described the production as visually striking, featuring a “poetic puppet of early life and hope.”[15]
  • Reviewing The Death of Klinghoffer, Il Giornale della Musica praised Rothschild's choreography as emotionally affecting and said that its gestural language gave voice to the words.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "Ella Rotschild". Nederlands Dans Theater. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  2. 1 2 Greenberg, Debra (15 January 2015). "Pulling the cord". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  3. ↑ "Ella Rothschild". Kidd Pivot. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  4. ↑ Janet Smith (1 April 2022). "Even more to unpack in second viewing of Kidd Pivot's Revisor". Createastir. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "Kidd Pivot". National Arts Centre. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  6. ↑ Wild, Stephi (20 September 2023). "DanceHouse Performs World Premiere of Kidd Pivot's Dance/Theatre Hybrid ASSEMBLY HALL". Broadway World.
  7. 1 2 3 "Ella Rothschild". Nederlands Dans Theater. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 "Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents Ella Rothschild's PIGULIM December 13–23". Broadway World. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  9. 1 2 "New choreography of classic ballets set to dazzle audiences at Opera Ghent". Belgian News Agency. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Up & Coming Choreographers 2024". Nederlands Dans Theater. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  11. 1 2 "This Solution (Programme Book)". Nederlands Dans Theater. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Opening of the 88th Festival of the Maggio with "The Death of Klinghoffer"". Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. 18 April 2026. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  13. 1 2 "The Death of Klinghoffer". Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  14. 1 2 Vikki Jane Vile (18 December 2023). "Two classic stories, refreshed with humour in an engrossing double bill". Bachtrack. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  15. 1 2 Els Van Steenberghe (23 January 2024). "'Petroesjka' en 'Die sieben Todsünden' bij Ballet Vlaanderen: schurend amusement, overrompelende ervaring". De Morgen. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  16. ↑ "Oltre l'odio, il canto". Il Giornale della Musica. 19 April 2026. Retrieved 5 May 2026.