LOS ANGELES, June 19, 2025 — Pointeworks, a rising nonprofit ballet company, is earning attention for giving women a stronger voice in the traditionally male-led ballet world. Founded by Sophie Williams in 2023, the company creates performance and leadership opportunities for women, both onstage and behind the scenes.
Williams, a dancer with Texas Ballet Theater, launched Pointeworks to fill a major gap — providing work for dancers during the unpaid summer layoff. But her vision extended beyond that. She wanted to highlight female choreographers, composers, costume designers, and lighting artists who often remain underrepresented in the ballet world.
This summer, Pointeworks is staging performances across the country. After a sold-out debut last June in San Diego and successful shows in New York City in March, the company is now set to perform at Irvine Barclay Theatre this Friday.
The program includes Laine Habony’s “Chasing Shadows,” a work created for three dancing sisters — Claire, Emma, and Nicole Von Enck. The piece features an original score by Welsh composer Katie Jenkins and live piano by Juilliard graduate Joshua Mhoon. It marks the first time Williams herself will perform to music composed by a woman.
Alongside performances, Pointeworks will host its first mentorship program for aspiring dancers in Orange County. Students will attend classes and receive year-long mentorship from Pointeworks company members.
Choreographer DaYoung Jung, whose piece “It’s Deep, It’s Dark” debuts in Irvine, praised Pointeworks for offering a supportive, experimental space for female artists. “It’s not just about giving artists a platform. It’s about reshaping the dance landscape,” Jung said.
With Pointeworks growing rapidly, Williams remains committed to keeping dancers at the heart of every decision, both onstage and in administration.
