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Modern Apsara Company

From KhmerConnection
Modern Apsara Company
Common nameMAC
Alternative namesModern Apsara Co.; Modern Apsara Dance Company
TypeArts and culture
Focus areasCambodian classical dance; performances; dance training; workshops
SubjectsDance & Theatre; Migration & Diaspora
CityLong Beach
State / provinceCalifornia
CountryUnited States
Founded2022
WebsiteWebsite
Operating statusactive

Modern Apsara Company (MAC) is a Cambodian classical dance company in Long Beach, California, founded in 2022 by Reaksmey "Mea" Lath, its founder and artistic director. It offers performances, training and workshops, and aims to connect the modern world to the sacred art of Cambodian classical dance. (Modern Apsara Company, official site; Modern Apsara Company, MAC Krus)

The company describes itself as a woman-owned small business and states that it is not a nonprofit but a new venture doing business for a social cause. Contributions help it keep tuition affordable for students connecting with their cultural heritage. (Modern Apsara Company, official site)

History

Lath began learning dance at age 12 under Sophiline Cheam Shapiro at Khmer Arts Academy in Long Beach, founded in 2002. She became an instructor there, teaching alongside Prumsodun Ok, and later its managing director and lead instructor, developing a modern approach to teaching the dance curriculum. Khmer Arts Academy closed in 2022. (Brandeis University, Spotlight on Artists; Modern Apsara Company, MAC Krus)

Lath founded Modern Apsara Company in Long Beach the same year. She has said the name does not mean modern dance: a modern apsara is someone who preserves the essence of the art form in a new environment and circumstances. The company began with almost fifty dancers and later reduced the number to protect the quality of instruction, since the form requires close, hands-on teaching. (Brandeis University, Spotlight on Artists)

Lineage and training

Lath describes herself as a disciple of the masters Sophiline Cheam Shapiro and Charya Burt, with whom she trained in the United States and Cambodia over about 20 years. She was Burt's apprentice in the Alliance for California Traditional Arts apprenticeship program in 2011, and has taken workshops with the Royal Ballet of Cambodia and Sophiline Arts Ensemble. See Charya Burt Cambodian Dance. (Modern Apsara Company, MAC Krus; Alliance for California Traditional Arts, Charya Cheam Burt profile)

The company follows the master-to-disciple model of the tradition. Its principal dancers, the MAC Krus, also serve as teaching artists; they are Cambodian American women trained with several dance masters, with between 10 and 30 years of performing experience. Students address women teachers as Neak Kru and men as Lok Kru. (Modern Apsara Company, MAC Krus)

Performances and workshops

Lath has performed at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art, and was a cultural consultant for Walt Disney Animation Studios' Raya and the Last Dragon. (Modern Apsara Company, MAC Krus; East West Players, Cambodian Rock Band pre-show panel (2025))

People

Company members and advisors named by the company: (Modern Apsara Company, MAC Krus)

  • Reaksmey "Mea" Lath, founder and artistic director
  • Malene Sam, advisor, who trained with teachers including Chan Moly Sam, Chea Samy, Soth Somaly, Proeung Chhieng, Sophiline Cheam Shapiro and Charya Burt
  • Courtney, a Kru dancing for almost two decades
  • Alex, the company's resident performer in the Seattle, Washington area, who began at Khmer Arts Academy
  • Victoria, one of Lath's first students
  • Chakra, with over ten years of training under Prumsodun Ok, Charya Burt, Sophiline Cheam Shapiro and Mea Lath

Visiting and participation

Performances and workshops are booked through a consultation meeting arranged on the company website. (Modern Apsara Company, official site)

See also

Sources

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