Dance Instruction
Anton was born in Slovakia in 1982 and began dancing at the age of 5 with the Maly Vtácnik folk dance ensemble. He continued his dance training at the J.L. Bellu Conservatory in Banská Bystrica, where he worked with his friends and also participated in M.A.P.A. (Moving Academy for Performing Arts). In 2001, she continued her studies at the University of Bratislava, then furthered her training at P.A.R.T.S. under the guidance of A. Teresa de Keersmeaker (Belgium).
Performing Career
Anton joined the Akram Khan Company in March 2004 and toured with the “MA” troupe for two years (in 48 countries around the world). Anton Lachky is a co-founder of the Les SlovaKs Dance Collective. They created their first piece, “Opening Night,” in 2006 and premiered it in October 2007; this was followed by “Journey Home” (2009) and “Fragments” (2011). With these three works, the collective has gained worldwide recognition.
Artistic Director of the Anton Lachky Company
Anton founded his own theater company in 2012. “Mind the Gap” (2013) was his first independent production, followed by “Side Effects” and “Cartoon” (2017). This first production, aimed at young audiences, earned him an award from Culture Minister Alda Greoli. All of these productions were received with great enthusiasm by audiences, the press, and the dance community. Each has toured worldwide. “Cartoon” and “Side Effects” are still on international tours. His company’s fourth production of 2020, titled “Ludum,” had to be suspended a few months after its premiere due to the health crisis.
In 2021, he created his second production, *Les Autres*, aimed at young audiences, which is still on tour and enjoying great international success. (70 scheduled performances).
In 2022, the Anton Lachky Company celebrated its 10th anniversary, and the company is now preparing for its sixth production: “Absurde”!
His works blend elements of Western classical dance with fragments of Eastern folk and pop culture. Thanks to his “Puzzle Work” compositional technique, Anton’s performances showcase an exceptionally virtuosic and refined dance language. Both highly specialized and broadly accessible to all audiences, his work bridges different cultural backgrounds to offer a joyful, powerful, and unique experience!
Commissioned Works
Anton, who has been praised and commissioned by major institutions, has created some fifteen works over the past ten years. As a guest choreographer, he created “Softandhard” for the Helsinki City Theater, “Heaven is the place” for DOT 504 in Prague, “Perfect Day To Dream” (Best Choreography/Griman Award 2012 in Iceland) for the Iceland Dance Company, “Kids in a Play” (nominated in the “Best Choreography” category) for Liberdance / Zagreb, “Sens Interdit” for the Bodhi Project (SEAD), “Magical Road” for St. Gallen, “Wonderland” for the GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, “A demain” for the Venice Biennale, “Dreamers” for the Scottish Dance Theater, “Private Games, Chapter One” for Body Traffic/Los Angeles (USA), “Family Journey” for DOT 504 (CZ), “Trilogy” for Collective Cla (Costa Rica). “Nocna Iluzia” for Narodni Divaldo (SK); “Fortuneville” for the Icelandic Dance Company (nominated for Best Choreographer at the 2018 Griman Award). In November 2018, he created the piece “Special Society” for the Central European Dance Theater in Budapest (HU), and then returned to the company in 2021 to create the second part of a trilogy. The third—and final(?)—act will be completed and premiered in 2023.
In 2021, he worked for the first time on a film project with director György Kristóf in the dystopian thriller *BUNKER*.
In April 2022, he will create a piece titled “Make a Wish” for the Dart dance company, which will be presented at Sadler’s Wells.
In 2023, the Finnish company will create a dance piece for the Helsinki City Theater to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Educational Activities / PUZZLE WORK
He created a system called Anton Lachky-Puzzle Work. His pedagogical activities are wide-ranging. Over the past 10 years, he has been invited to most countries around the world. “Puzzle Work” has been incorporated into the curricula of numerous training centers for professional dancers.
Watch an interview here about puzzle work, sports, and dance as a shared adventure.
And here is an interview about virtuosity, inspiration, and presence.