James Pett & Travis Clausen-Knight are choreographers, dancers, and founders of Pett Clausen-Knight Dance. After having incredibly successful individual careers dancing for world-renowned choreographers and companies, such as Studio Wayne McGregor, Michael Clarke Company, New Adventures Matthew Bourne & Richard Alston Dance, this dynamic duo has built a reputation for creating highly provocative and emotionally charged works captured through their intensely physical movement language. After their first year of inception, the Critics Circle nominated Pett Clausen-Knight for the “Best Independent Company Award” at The National Dance Awards.
Their company tours extensively around the world, from Asia to Europe and the US, with their current touring work, IMAGO, receiving an outstanding five-star review upon its premiere at the world-renowned Teatro Grande in Italy and further receiving impressive accolades in its London debut. In 2024, they were personally invited by the British Embassy of Jakarta and the British Council to perform IMAGO for the 75th Anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the UK.
The duo has developed an extensive repertoire of over 20 works in a short period since establishing their company. They have created several commissioned pieces for dance companies such as Bangkok City Ballet and Ballet de Monterrey, in addition to a variety of compelling self-produced creations.
Their first choreography together was presented at the Royal Ballet’s Draft Works, where they shared their duet Splinter The Noise, garnering the attention of Dame Monica Mason as well as artistic directors and critics alike. Before forming Pett Clausen-Knight, the pair created a triple bill performance of works entitled Elevation, premiering at The Cerulean Noh Theatre in Tokyo, Japan. This broke new boundaries, being the first ever international contemporary choreographers to present work in this traditional style Noh Theatre.
James & Travis continue performing extensively worldwide as guest dancers in Ballet Galas, Opera Houses, and festivals, including Roberto Bolle & Friends, Alessandra Ferri Gala, Paris Opera Ballet, Royal Ballet, and many more. In 2024, they became the first-ever contemporary company to be programmed in the internationally acclaimed Ballet Icons Gala at the London Coliseum, and have been asked to return with their work featuring former Etoile of the Paris Opera Ballet, Marie-Agnès Gillot.
Alongside touring and creating, they actively engage across a wide cultural platform, advocating for education in the arts and frontiering projects that bring dance into people’s daily lives. Having formed respected relationships with arts institutions, cultural organizations, and communities, Pett Clausen-Knight has embarked on several initiatives for the arts, hosting lectures, masterclasses, community projects, and creative workshops, that seek to share the importance and impact of dance culture.
