On February 17, presents works by acclaimed choreographers, as well as its artistic director and MacArthur Genius Award-winning choreographer Kyle Abraham, in an evening of visionary works using various dance and music styles that uncover the relationships between identity, history, and geography.
In a 2023 , the company鈥檚 goals are emphasized, stating, 鈥淜yle Abraham has a mission鈥攁nd it鈥檚 bigger than himself. He likes to spread the love with his company, A.I.M., and, in doing so, broaden the viewer鈥檚 experience of what a dance concert by a choreographer-led company can be."
This Black-led contemporary dance company aims to create a body of dance-based work that is galvanized by Black culture and history while promoting the power of dance and diverse perspectives.
鈥淎s an artist born in the late 1970s, I鈥檝e experienced a change in society that brings me hope. My choreography is a reflection of that hope, but also lives in the reality of my experiences and the cultural work that still needs to be done,鈥 says Kyle Abraham, artistic director.
As a , A.I.M by Kyle Abraham company members will also work with the community through classes and workshops surrounding the performance, which are detailed below.
- In a classroom visit to 鈥檚 鈥淪enior Synthesis鈥 course taught by instructor Susan Shields, senior dance students will be joined by A.I.M company members and discuss career opportunities, professional development, and advice, through the lens of A.I.M company members lived experiences.
听 - The company will engage with the students of Mason鈥檚 .
听 - members and A.I.M artists collaborate in a workshop titled 鈥淯nifying Uniqueness.鈥 Part conversation and part movement workshop, 鈥淯nifying Uniqueness鈥 investigates the ideologies surrounding uniqueness and likenesses in each participant. Led by A.I.M company members, students of all levels will learn phrases of material from A.I.M repertory; engage in a dialogue centered around early memories; and integrate movement with ideas of perception, family, and freedom.
听 - A.I.M. company members will lead an A.I.M Movement Workshop with local high school students at Fairfax Academy and Colgan High School, as well as Mason School of Dance students and Washington, D.C.鈥檚 adult students of both intermediate and advanced skill level.
In addition to these special residency events, a pre-performance discussion with A.I.M by Kyle Abraham Rehearsal Director Jessica Tong will take place on Monson Grand Tier prior to the performance on February 17. The discussion will be moderated by School of Dance faculty member, Lawrence M. Jackson.
In This Story
Black History Month at the Center for the Arts
The A.I.M by Kyle Abraham residency is part of February Black History Month events at the Center for the Arts. .