Reviews of our Productions, Company and Artists
MUD
Read a complete review of MUD, by Jed Ryan
I really enjoyed the work – it’s a very masculine and amazing exploration of the soul, and the choreography is brilliant, as are the dancers.
-David Henry
"I am so proud of the work Prismatic does. They work to stretch the body, the soul, AND the mind and have managed to affect the lives of many people through their heartfelt pieces. I give this donation in honor of my cousin, John, who is so brave, and in hopes that Prismatic will be around for many years to come, spreading the message of love and acceptance!"
-Rachel Brookhart, Draper Consulting Group
John Ollom's work MUD, was more complicated than I expected it to be, and its final resolution was strong. Yes, much is beyond our control, even if we were not shackled with Victorian Dagwood-Blondie structures that continue to exist. Ollom's dance/play is thought provoking with invented characters. Many males, as hunters, find it difficult to be forever content in a relationship, and yet we seek a loving, caring stability. John Ollom presented splendidly natural inner turmoil, exasperated by natural homosexual drives and wounded or destroyed committed relationships.
Kendall Shaw - painter.
Live III: Internal Landscapes at the Peñalver Studio
A healthy body is supposed to be orderly. Each organ operates with a certain predictability, developing a synergy with the other parts, and contributing to the success of the larger whole. But throw in a few unpredictables, from illness to a heavy emotional experience, and things can get tricky. Live III: Internal Landscapes, a performance piece created by choreographer John Ollom and painter/sculptor Amadeo Peñalver, explores this trickiness. In an ambitious work that incorporated dance, painting, music and video, the artists performed on October 20, 2007 in Peñalver's studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
-Alex Palmer,LA Splash
Performance and Choreography Reviews: The Other Species
"People I talked to in the audience thought your work was BRILLIANT!"
Lisa Johnson, Music Program Director New York State Council on the Arts
"We have only received positive feedback in regard to the Faculty Performance, and several people have mentioned that it was the highlight of the conference. You were just amazing. You're a very talented man and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with you."
- Brent Register, DMA Clarion University Honors Council Coordinator
Reviews of John Ollom as a TEACHER
"I have been meaning to find a way in telling and thanking you as one of my best teachers I have had and being a part of my New York experience. I had a great 3 years in NYC, part of it, not exaggerating, is because of your class. I began with Broadway Dance, but I hated dancing around the columns in the middle of the studio, and the people annoyed me there. Then Peridance, but the class fee was eating up my model material money. Your class was like an escape into a mental oasis!"
Dawn Ha, ballet student who moved to San Francisco
"I know I didn't think it was possible for me to learn ballet ever. You are always so generous and give everything- I feel so lucky to have found you! I really appreciate the time you took today with the upper body. I think I finally felt what you have been talking about for all of these three years. Thank you for being such an inspiring teacher and holding the vision and faith and desires that I sometimes lose sight of and always inviting in the perfection!"
Janet Aisawa, ballet student and the Amateur Division Champion after working with private coaching sessions with John
"Ballet is sooo difficult and I really did not realize it deeply until I came back here and faced up with many professionals. John Ollom is my beautiful inventor and gave me many hints of how to discover myself. I miss you!'
Miu, ballet student who moved to Tokyo, Japan
"I like Pilates, but it is NOT as good as the Ollom Floor Series"
Judy Bresnahan, Student of the Ollom Floor Series ©
Hey, I just wanted to tell you that I really appreciate your classes. The enviroment you create and healthy class structure!! You are awesome.
Alicia Stewart Professional Dancer with Kim Robards Dance Company and Annabella Gonzalez Dance Theatre; Swedish Institute trained massage therapist
Reviews of John Ollom as ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
"Needless tosay I just wanted to commend the both of you as well as your company for being open to the prospect of late starters in ballet. I myself made the switch 4 months ago from collegiate basketball to ballet after wanting to dance, but not being afforded the chance due to views by my family of my dreams, for nearly 15 years. I was not only happy to see the support of grown men by a respected artistic director but even more so was the inspiration that it afforded me. I pursue everything I do with the utmost passion and ballet is no exception. Suffice it to say I was even more inspired after reading Mr. Ollom's bio on your company website and would like to inquire as to the possibility of visiting New York to privately work with Mr. Ollom."
Jeff Garza, Ballet student in Texas
Dancers Showcase. McBurney YMCA
On Wednesday May 23, the McBurney YMCA held its annual choreographer's Dance Showcase.
The performers of the evening included students from Legacy, MVA and LAB High School Hip Hop Programs stealing the show with their upbeat dance moves, Janelle Abbott and John Ollom performing "Side by Side" a ballet love story choreographed by John.Town and Village,
Love Stories
"One of today's most exciting choreographers. Ollom's new pieces gorgeously celebrate diversity and courage."
David Noh, The New York Blade, Gay City News
John Ollom's 'The Journey'
"They say everyone has one novel in him. It's the fruit of a life's experience--the tale, the feelings. John Ollom certainly does, but he happens to be a choreographer. "The Journey"...is propelled by Ollom's sincerity and missionary zeal."
Tobi Tobias, Village Voice
John Ollom charts out new territory-somewhere south of ballet and west of modern-danced with flow and rhythm."
Annette Cyr, Documentary film maker, "Late Bloomers" (about John Ollom's Ballet classes)
"deeply moving, sensual and spiritual at the same time."
Mel White, director of Soulforce, minister and political activist
"very moving and enlightening. A vision of one man's truth transcending himself and becoming a mirror for us all."
Deborah Massell, DMA., Crane School of Music
"John Ollom has created nothing less than a gay epic in pure dance terms, a rich narrative which addresses our most important issues. With a sexual exhilaration not seen in quite some time."
David Noh, New York Blade News
"I can't stop thinking about your piece-it's so powerful. It's rare to see that kind of commitment on stage. Your vision and commitment to being in this world is so inspiring as your piece so masterfully says."
Janet Aisawa, co-choreographer for Fly by Night Dance Company
"There are two things that touched or moved me most: One is an overwhelming sense of your wonderful generosity of spirit...Your story touched me as a human one not a militant or political one. The second thing that moved me tonight is the wonderful physical language of your choreography ...your dance style and how it's conveyed not only in your performance but through the people you choose to work with as well. It's so wonderful to see dancers with supple bodies..that are human. That generosity of your spirit, your commitment to communicate above all- and find a way to express so many subtle, interior kinds of ideas, reactions, responses- is apparent in the wonderful group of people- dancers and actors you've assembled. Their respect for you and your work is clear by their commitment to each dance and scene. It was just great energy..the opening ballet with your wife, your lover, the struggle and resolution moved me to tears particularly, though not at all exclusively!"
Jonathan Dobin, composer
"You may or may not know it, but you've changed my life dramatically. I'm a better person after working on "the Journey" with you, it's an awesomely unexplainable feeling. "the Journey" has changed me for the better, and I love it. I've always felt like it's wrong to label people and judge them just because they're not exactly the same as you. "The Journey" was beautifully written and performed and taught the beauty of diversity. The message that I got was to accept people for who they are on the inside and to be understanding of things that are different. The show gave people hope, like they can achieve anything they want; that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark it may seem. Your show helped people understand and bring about awareness that these things do happen, but we can help."
Maria DelRusso, dancer in the cast of "the Journey"
Anatomy of Woman
"The four pieces from "the Yellow Dress" reflected four different experiences of women, or four different phases of experiences of the same woman. All four of your women protagonists were strong in presence, dramatic expression as well as dance performance-though strongest and most interesting and developed choreography I thought was in "Homeostasis". John and Janelle know deeply, intuitively and physically, how to click into and weave with each other."
Theresa Herron, Arts Cure
"I love your choreography, even though it is sooooo difficult. It's so beautiful, because the movement and the emotions of the pieces are one, it's so satisfying to dance that way. It's really modern dance with ballet vocabulary."
Janet Aisawa, co-choreographer Fly By Night Dance Company
Ollom Dance Theater. On Tour. Easton, Pa
"Let me just say how much I very much enjoyed your choreography- it maintained that wonderful sense of classical but presented in a uniquely fresh and witty form."
Sebastien Balzac, Professional Dancer for Freespace Dancer and Pilobolus
Reviews from the Ballet Builder's produced "Previews" at the 92nd St Y
"Homeostasis" is a good wedding of movement and music!""emotionally satisfying!"
Audience member