New Streaming Special: “Black Renaissance” Celebrates Black Dance Artists

As Black History Month comes to a close, YouTube Originals and Google Arts & Culture are presenting a dance-filled virtual celebration. Created in partnership with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Howard University Graduate Film Program and NAL Media, “Black Renaissance,” honoring the work of groundbreaking Black changemakers and cultural figures, premieres on February 26 on […]

Tislarm Bouie’s “Thug – Ball of Confusion”

For many of us, the challenges of 2020 made artistic inspiration scarce. But director and choreographer Tislarm Bouie says he harnessed the hopelessness he felt last summer and transformed it into inspiration for a short film titled “Thug.” “Ball of Confusion” is one part of the larger project. It features Lloyd Boyd, Gabriel Hyman, Martell […]

Complexions Presents “Black is Beautiful”

In response to a national reckoning with racial injustice, Complexions Contemporary Ballet makes a powerful contribution to the conversation with its film “Black is Beautiful.” The company’s artistic directors Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson choreographed movement to a spoken word piece by poets Terrell Lewis, Aicha Therese, Mr. Reed and Poetess Jess. An introduction prefacing […]

Tokenism vs. Representation: How Can We Tell Them Apart?

Last year’s Black Lives Matter protests jolted the ballet world into action. All of a sudden, things that once “took time” instantaneously became easy fixes, like it was an episode of Oprah’s favorite things for Black people: “You get an opportunity, and you get an opportunity!” Much of this sudden, reactionary change has elicited high […]

Why Dance Mission Theater is Starting a Reparations Program

In the wake of renewed Black Lives Matter protests this summer, and as the dance world continues to reckon with its own racial biases, Dance Mission Theater has started a reparations program. The initiative gives Black artists free use of theater space for performances and rehearsals, and reduced rates on adult classes and studio rentals. […]

My Life as an Invisible Black Choreographer

The day I fell in love with ballet was the day I signed myself up for what now seems like a life of invisibility. Despite clear talent, I grew up with teachers who ignored me in class; it made me work harder. I went on to a performance career with Oakland Ballet, North Carolina Dance […]