Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) has announced that Canadian Emily Molnar has been appointed as the new Artistic Director of the company. She will commence her tenure in August 2020 succeeding Paul Lightfoot who will leave at that time after nine successful and artistically blossoming years. With Molnar, NDT brings in another visionary and creative dance professional with a proven talent for innovating an artistic house in which she continuously focuses on collaboration, education, talent development and diversity.
The foundation for NDT’s success has been laid by big names in the world of modern dance. The arrival of Emily Molnar as Artistic Director enables NDT to continue this special tradition and also to explore a new horizon for modern dance. Pauline van de Meer Mohr, Chair Supervisory Board.
Molnar is one of Canada’s most acclaimed dance artists. She graduated from the National Ballet School of Canada, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada, Ballet BC and the Frankfurt Ballet under the direction of William Forsythe. She has choreographed various works as a choreographer and since 2009, Molnar has been the Artistic Director of Ballet BC in Vancouver, Canada and in 2014, Molnar also took on the role of Artistic Director and Curator of Dance at the cultural education institute Banff Center in Banff, Canada. In 2016, Molnar was named a Member of the Order of Canada with the rank of member, one of Canada’s highest civilian awards.
As a leader, mentor and an poignant cultural commentator, Molnar follows her passion to nurture artists and choreographers, research the development of dance and artistic leadership, and explore and support the role of artists in society. NDT and the Supervisory Board confidently look forward to the start of Molnar’s plans to usher in NDT’s seventh decade.
I look forward to collaborating with the extraordinary team at NDT toward continued innovation in contemporary dance while supporting a diversity of artists and ideas that reflect our time. Emily Molnar
I am excited for the future of NDT under new leadership of an accomplished and forward thinking artist as Emily Molnar clearly is. Supporting Emily as she enters this new land with her knowledge and warmth is something I look forward to greatly. Paul Lightfoot
