The Muller/works Foundation

What The Muller/works Foundation does

Jennifer Muller/The Works (JMTW), legally organized as The Muller/works Foundation, is a privately held contemporary dance company founded in 1974 by choreographer Jennifer Muller and headquartered in New York City. The company produces, tours, and commissions theatrical dance repertory, operating a multi-channel business model spanning professional performance/touring fees, choreographic commissions and repertory re-stagings for national and international dance companies, and educational residencies at colleges and universities (typically 3-14 weeks). Its core technical asset is the proprietary Muller Polarity Technique, a dance methodology derived from Eastern philosophy and codified over 50+ years, which was recognized by TanzPlan Berlin's Center for Dance as one of seven unique contemporary dance techniques. The company has performed in 39 countries across four continents and 30 US states, self-produced 27 NYC seasons at venues including City Center, the Joyce, Cedar Lake, and New York Live Arts, and has had works set on 26 domestic and international repertory companies in 9 countries including Introdans, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Philadanco, Nederlands Dans Theater, Lyon Opera Ballet, and Aterballetto.

JMTW serves three primary customer segments: professional dance companies and theaters that commission or present works, universities and dance schools seeking guest artist residencies and technique instruction, and general audiences reached through live performance and community outreach. Educational and community programming includes the HATCH Presenting Series for emerging choreographers, the Area Performance Project presenting work at approximately 15 NYC venues annually, Master Classes in the Muller Polarity Technique, and the Faces of Wonder and Imagine That! outreach programs serving thousands of NYC public school youth. The go-to-market is primarily event-driven through live performances at major international festivals and theaters (Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Jacob's Pillow, Beijing NCPA) combined with direct sales of commissions and residencies to artistic directors and university dance programs. Founded in 1974, the organization is governed by a Board of Directors (President Brian McIver) with Duane Gosa now serving as Artistic Director following Jennifer Muller's death on March 29, 2023; the company has stated it is temporarily pausing activity during the leadership transition.

The Muller/works Foundation operates with a small team of 1-10 employees, generates revenue through a mix of one-time commissions/licenses and professional services (performance fees, residency fees), and discloses no public pricing. It has no parent company, no subsidiaries, no disclosed investors or funding rounds, and no SEC filings. Marketing relies on Constant Contact email newsletters, social media (Instagram, Facebook), venue partnerships, and earned media. Notable awards include an NEA American Masterpieces grant (2011), the Joyce Theater 25@25 Initiative Commissioning Grant (2009), and selection of the Muller Polarity Technique for TanzPlan Berlin's Tanztechnik 2010 publication.

Name

The Muller/works Foundation

Legal name

Jennifer Muller/The Works

Website

https://jmtw.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Muller/works Foundation operates Jennifer Muller/The Works (JMTW), a New York-based contemporary dance company founded in 1974 that produces, tours, and commissions theatrical dance repertory, runs educational residencies at universities, and offers proprietary Muller Polarity Technique instruction to professional dance companies, students, and general audiences globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Commissions: JMTW works with national and international companies to create new dance works or re-stage existing repertory. Commission fees are charged for creating or restaging works.
2. Residency Programs: JMTW conducts residencies at colleges and universities, providing technique classes, workshops, and repertory instruction to student dancers. Residencies range from 3-14 weeks.
3. Performance/Touring Fees: JMTW earns revenue from performing at venues, festivals, and theaters worldwide, including major US venues like Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and international festivals.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Jennifer Muller/The Works (JMTW) is a contemporary dance company that produces and tours original dance repertory, accepts commissions from other dance companies to create new works or re-stage existing Muller pieces, and runs 3-14 week educational residencies at colleges and universities built around the proprietary Muller Polarity Technique. It also delivers youth outreach programming through NYC public schools and community venues.

Product overview

Jennifer Muller/The Works (JMTW) is a modern dance company founded in 1974, offering a portfolio of live performance and educational services. The core offering is the company's theatrical dance productions, which are presented through self-produced NYC seasons, international touring (39 countries on four continents), and the Area Performance Project bringing performances to diverse NYC venues. Educational offerings include residencies at colleges and universities, the Faces of Wonder and Imagine That! youth programs, and the Muller Polarity Technique master classes. The HATCH Presenting Series supports emerging choreographers. Commissions services enable other companies to commission new works or license existing repertory. The company also operates the Scholarship Program and conducts outreach through various community programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Choreographic Commissions Collaborative creation of new dance works or re-staging of existing Muller repertory for national and international dance companies, with commission fees charged per project.
• Touring and Performance Engagements Live contemporary dance performances presented at major theaters and festivals worldwide, including self-produced NYC seasons, US festival appearances, and international tours across 39 countries on four continents.
• University Residencies and Commissions Multi-week (typically 3-14 weeks) educational residencies at colleges and universities providing technique classes, repertory workshops, rehearsals, and student performances, frequently combined with new choreographic commissions featuring student dancers.
• Muller Polarity Technique Instruction Master classes and workshops in the Muller Polarity Technique, a dance methodology derived from Eastern philosophy that increases technical skill, encourages expression, and aims to prevent injury through holistic use of the body.
• HATCH Presenting Series A presenting series that enables emerging and established choreographers to investigate new work, present works-in-progress, and engage in dialogue with audiences free from financial pressure and critical scrutiny.
• NYC Area Performance Project Program that presents JMTW's artistry in both traditional and non-traditional venues throughout New York City, reaching approximately 15 venues annually to extend live dance beyond proscenium theaters.
• Youth Educational Outreach (Faces of Wonder and Imagine That!) School-based programs (Faces of Wonder and Imagine That!) providing live dance experiences and creativity dialogue to thousands of youth in the NYC Public school system, promoting arts awareness and community outreach.
• The Life Experience Workshops Workshops for dancers and non-dancers covering Creative Mind/Whole Body, Non-Verbal Communication, Performance Reality, and special seminars on theatrical design and artistic collaboration.

Quantifiable outcome

• 26 companies in 9 countries have commissioned or performed JMTW works
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Batsheva Dance Company: An internationally touring contemporary dance company based in Israel that combines repertory licensing with educational programs (e.g., the Gaga movement language). Comparable to JMTW in mission, repertory licensing model, and international touring profile.
• Limón Dance Company: A modern dance company founded by José Limón that licenses works internationally, tours, and offers residencies. Especially relevant as Jennifer Muller performed for José Limón, and the two companies share choreographic lineage and repertory licensing models.
• Pilobolus: A dance company with a similar model of touring, repertory licensing, and educational residencies. While more focused on shadow/physical theater, it operates a comparable boutique contemporary dance business model with international touring.
• Mark Morris Dance Group: A larger but similarly structured contemporary dance company that tours extensively, licenses works, and offers educational programming. While bigger than JMTW, it operates a comparable repertory-and-residency-driven model with international scope.
• Paul Taylor American Modern Dance: A contemporary dance company founded by Paul Taylor that similarly operates a repertory-based model with touring, licensing, and educational programming. Highly comparable to JMTW in scale, founder-driven legacy, and operational approach.
• Martha Graham Dance Company: A contemporary modern dance company founded by Martha Graham with a comparable legacy-driven model: owns a substantial repertory, tours internationally, licenses works to other companies, and offers educational programs. Directly comparable to JMTW in mission, structure, and revenue streams.
• Merce Cunningham Trust: A trust stewarding the legacy and repertory of Merce Cunningham, with a comparable focus on licensing, restaging, and educational programs around a deceased founder's body of work. Directly comparable to JMTW's post-founder transition model.
• Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: A contemporary dance company with a similar repertory-driven, touring-oriented model that licenses works and offers educational residencies. Comparable to JMTW in mission and operational focus, though larger in headcount.
• Trisha Brown Dance Company: A post-modern dance company that similarly tours internationally, licenses repertory, and runs educational programs. Closely aligned with JMTW in artistic scope (contemporary/modern dance) and operational structure.
• Parsons Dance: A contemporary dance company with a similar touring, residency, and educational programming model. Comparable to JMTW in scale, mid-size boutique profile, and focus on repertory-driven performances.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jennifer-muller-the-works

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Muller/works Foundation