Rambert Dance Company Stages 'It's A Sin' Production
Julia Wagner ·
Listen to this article~4 min

Rambert Dance Company brings their powerful production 'It's A Sin' to American stages, offering dance professionals insights into storytelling, production scale, and creating meaningful contemporary work.
You know that feeling when a dance piece just hits different? When the movement tells a story that sticks with you long after the curtain falls? That's what Rambert Dance Company is bringing to stages across the country with their latest production, 'It's A Sin.'
This isn't just another dance performance. It's a conversation starter, a piece that digs into themes that matter. The company, which has been pushing boundaries for nearly a century, is known for work that challenges both dancers and audiences. They make you think while you watch bodies move in ways that seem almost impossible.
### What Makes This Production Stand Out
Rambert has always been about innovation. They were one of the first major companies to embrace contemporary dance back when ballet ruled the stage. Today, they continue that tradition by tackling contemporary stories with raw physicality. 'It's A Sin' follows that path—it's visceral, emotional, and technically demanding.
The choreography requires dancers who can do more than just execute steps. They need to act through movement, to convey complex narratives without saying a word. It's about creating moments that feel authentic, even when the movement is highly stylized. That's a tough balance to strike, but when it works, it's magic.

### Why Dance Studios Should Pay Attention
If you run a studio or teach classes, you're always looking for inspiration. Watching how a company like Rambert approaches storytelling through movement can spark new ideas for your own work. Their pieces often explore:
- How to build emotional arcs without traditional narrative structure
- Ways to use ensemble work that feels organic rather than synchronized
- Methods for developing physical vocabulary that serves the story
It's like getting a masterclass in contemporary dance theater. You might not replicate their work, but you can certainly borrow principles. How do they create tension? How do they use space? How do they make abstract concepts feel immediate and personal?
### The Business of Ambitious Dance
Let's talk practicalities for a moment. Staging productions like this isn't cheap. The average touring production for a company of Rambert's size can cost between $500,000 and $1.5 million. That covers everything from dancer salaries (which range from $40,000 to $80,000 annually for company members) to set construction, costumes, and venue rentals.
Most theaters they perform in seat between 500 and 1,500 people, with ticket prices typically running $45 to $120 depending on the city and seating. It's a significant investment that requires careful planning and strong audience development. But when it connects, it builds the company's reputation and attracts future funding.
As one former Rambert dancer once said, 'We're not just selling tickets—we're selling an experience that changes how people see the world.' That perspective matters whether you're running a multinational company or a local studio.
### What This Means for Your Studio
You might be thinking, 'That's great for them, but my studio operates on a completely different scale.' True enough. Most studios don't have six-figure production budgets. But the principles still apply.
Think about how you can:
- Create work that speaks to contemporary issues your students care about
- Develop pieces that challenge technical abilities while maintaining emotional truth
- Build productions that feel cohesive and intentional, even with limited resources
It's not about the budget—it's about the intention behind the work. Are you creating something that matters? Are you pushing your dancers to grow? Are you giving audiences something they'll remember?
Rambert's success comes from consistently answering 'yes' to those questions. Their work resonates because it feels necessary. That's something any studio, regardless of size, can aspire to. Your next recital piece or competition routine could be the one that makes someone in the audience see dance—or themselves—differently.
That's the real power of what companies like Rambert do. They remind us that dance isn't just entertainment. It's a way of understanding our world and each other. And that's a lesson worth bringing into every studio, every class, every rehearsal.