Choreographing Death: World AIDS Day Memorial
Dec. 4, 5:30 pm
"Edward Stierle, Tom Mossbrucker, Jodie Gates, Daniel Baudendistel, and other members of the Joffrey Ballet at the curtain call for Stierle's Lacrymosa following its New York City premiere" The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1991. Photograph by Herbert Migdoll © Joffrey Ballet. Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library.
Still from Empyrean Dances, Footage provided by the Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
Installation view of "The Joffrey + Ballet in the U.S.", at Wrightwood 659, 2025. Photo courtesy of Daniel Eggert (@DesigningDan).
The Joffrey Ballet was deeply affected during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, losing several remarkable artists, including Company Founder Robert Joffrey at age 59 and his protégé Edward Stierle at just 23. Following Joffrey’s passing, Stierle choreographed Lacrymosa and, while on his own deathbed, completed Empyrean. As noted in a New York Times interview, Stierle’s dance partner observed, “Where Lacrymosa was about death, Empyrean is about celebration and hope.”
This public program will feature opening remarks by Greg Cameron, Joffrey Ballet President & CEO; a screening of clips from Lacrymosa and Empyrean followed by a memorial segment inviting attendees to bring and share text of 100 words or less on someone they wish to remember who was lost to AIDS.
This public program expands on The Joffrey + Ballet in the U.S., a large-scale exhibition, on view through Dec. 20, 2025, celebrating the rich history of the Joffrey Ballet.
Learn more about the life and death of the talented Edward Stierle in our Educator Insight.
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