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THEATRE OF APR 20–21

Virginia Johnson, artistic director © Rachel Neville

Dance Theatre of Harlem at The Broad Stage made possible in part by a generous gift from Linda & Michael Keston.

There will be two 15-minute intermissions.

4 APR/MAY 2018 , founder Karel Shook, founder Virginia Johnson, artistic director Anna Glass, executive director Keith Saunders, master Kellye A. Saunders, Melinda Bloom, interim general manager dance artists Lindsey Croop, Yinet Fernandez, Alicia Mae Holloway, Crystal Serrano, Ingrid Silva, Amanda Smith, Alison Stroming, Stephanie Rae Williams, Donald Nguyen Davison, Da’Von Doane, Choong Hoon Lee, Christopher McDaniel, Nicholas Rose, Anthony Santos, Dylan Santos, Jorge Andrés Villarini Arthur Mitchell, artistic director emeritus

Support for ’s 2017-2018 Tour Program and activities made possible in part by: Annonymous; The Arnhold Foundation; Federation; The Dauray Fund; Ford Foundation; Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation; Howard Gilman Foundation; The DuBose and Dorothy Heyward Memorial Fund; The Hulitar Family Foundation; Estee Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation; John L. McHugh Foundation; Margaret T. Morris Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation; The Shubert Foundation; The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust; The Thompson Family Foundation; and Xerox Foundation.

APR/MAY 2018 VISIT THEBROADSTAGE.ORG 5 PROGRAM BRAHMS World Premiere, Virginia Arts Festival, May 14, 2016 : Music: Johannes Brahms Costume Design and Execution: Pamela Allen-Cummings Lighting: Roma Flowers Dancers: Crystal Serrano, Da’von Doane, Alicia Mae Holloway, Yinet Fernandez, Amanda Smith, Ingrid Silva, Nicholas Rose, Christopher McDaniel, Donald Nguyen Davison, Dylan Santos

The inspiration for the ballet is Louis XIV, French Patron of the Arts, and Grandfather of the ballet canon. Arthur Mitchell was a big persona in my life, a Harlem version of the French Monarch. So, the ballet is, in part, Louis the XIV’s court meeting Harlem Swag.

The ballet is dedicated to former DTH Ballerina and Norfolk Native Lorraine Graves, and Fabian Barnes, our good friend and colleague…rest in peace brother

Brahms Variations made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Intermission

DANCING ON THE FRONT PORCH OF HEAVEN Odes to Love and Loss (World Premiere 1993, DTH Premiere: October 4, 2013) Choreography: ; The Estate of Ulysses Dove: Alfred Dove Administrator Music: Arvo Pärt (Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten, 1977) Staging: Anne Dabrowski Costume Design: Jorge Gallardo Lighting Design: Björn Nilsson; Recreated by Peter D. Leonard Dancers: Lindsey Croop, Alison Stroming, Alicia Mae Holloway, Nicholas Rose, Jorge Andrés Villarini, Anthony Santos

Subtitled “Odes to Love and Loss,” Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven was choreographed for the in 1993 during a challenging period in Ulysses Dove’s life. Having lost 13 close friends and relatives, among them his father, Dove himself explained, “I want to tell an experience in movement, a story without words, and create a poetic monument over people I loved.” Set to Estonian composer Arvo Pärt’s Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten, Dove’s spare but demanding choreography invites dancer and viewer alike to live in each moment as if it were the last.

Intermission

6 APR/MAY 2018 VESSELS (World Premiere October 17, 2014) Choreography: Darrell Grand Moultrie Music: Costume Design and Execution: George Hudačko Lighting Design: Clifton Taylor Light Dancers: Crystal Serrano, Alison Stroming, Ingrid Silva, Stephanie Rae Williams, Amanda Smith, Jorge Andrés Villarin, Choong Hoon Lee, Anthony Santos, Donald Nguyen Davison, Dylan Santos Belief Dancers: Alison Stroming, Ingrid Silva, Stephanie Rae Williams, Amanda Smith Love Dancers: Crystal Serrano, Jorge Andrés Villarini Abundance The Company

The entire journey is cyclic. Let us all be infused with something beautiful that can be transferred to others.

This commission is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

ABOUT DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM became a leading dance institution comprised of a touring company, training Forty-eight years ago, Arthur Mitchell school and arts education program and his mentor, Karel Shook, founded of unparalleled global acclaim. Now a Dance Theatre of Harlem as a beacon of singular presence in the ballet world, hope for the youth in the underprivileged the Dance Theatre of Harlem Company neighborhood where Mitchell grew up. An tours nationally and internationally, acclaimed with George presenting a powerful vision for ballet Balanchine’s Ballet, Mitchell in the 21st century. The 16-member, took the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther multi-ethnic company performs a King, Jr. as a call to action. Drawing on forward-thinking repertoire that includes his expertise and his prominence as the classical and neoclassical works as well as first African American to be a member innovative and bold new forms of artistic of a major U.S. , Mitchell’s expression commissioned to connect to ground-breaking idea was to transform contemporary audiences. the lives of young people in Harlem by providing training in . In a few short years, his response to tragedy

APR/MAY 2018 VISIT THEBROADSTAGE.ORG 7 THE DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM Theatre. Named 2014 Dance Magazines COMPANY one of “25 to Watch”. Professional experience: Dance Theatre of Harlem LINDSEY CROOP (sixth year), Dance Theatre of Harlem Born: Midland, TX. Ensemble, Claudia Schreier & Company, Training: A Petite Ballet Noir and Classical Studio, Midland Ballet Theater. Repertoire: works by Festival Ballet under , Christopher Huggins, Susan Clark. Education: Arthur Mitchell, Billy Wilson and Donald cum laude graduate Byrd. of Butler University, degree in Dance Photo by François Rousseau Arts Administration and Journalism. Professional Experience: Dance Theatre YINET FERNANDEZ of Harlem (sixth year), Nashville Ballet Born: Mariano’ La Habana, (trainee). Repertoire: works by Robert Cuba. Training: Provincial Garland, , Ulysses Dove, School of the Arts, George Balanchine, Donald Byrd, Elena National School of Ballet, Kunikova and Dianne McIntyre. Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Photo by François Rousseau Professional experience: Dance Theatre of Harlem (first year), DONALD NGUYEN Ballet Nacional de Cuba, Connecticut DAVISON Ballet. Repertoire: Sleeping Beauty, The Born: Loma Linda, CA, Nutcracker, , , Coppelia, Training: La Fille mal gardée, . Ballet School, . Photo by Rachel Neville Professional Experience: Dance Theatre of Harlem ALICIA MAE HOLLOWAY (first season), , San Diego Born: Morgantown, Ballet, California Ballet, Festival Ballet WV. Training: Kate Theatre. Repertoire: , and Company Studio, Romeo & Juliet, Graduation Ball. Morgantown Dance Studio Photo by Rachel Neville with Desiree Witt, Lauren Stone, Marilyn Pipes, DA’VON DOANE Eunice Kim, and Robert Steele, and School Born: Salisbury, MD. of with Suki Schorer, Training: Salisbury Studio Suzy Pilarre, , , of Dance (now Salisbury and . Professional experience: Dance Academy), Dance Theatre of Harlem (third year) Betty Webster, Tatiana and Ballet (apprentice) Akinfieva-Smith, and Elena Repertoire: works by Robert Garland, Manakhova, Atlantic Elena Kunikova, and Nacho Duato Theatre. Early dance experience: Eastern Photo by François Rousseau Shore Ballet Theatre, , and Atlantic Contemporary Ballet

8 APR/MAY 2018 CHOONG HOON LEE ANTHONY SANTOS Born: Seoul, . Born: New York, NY. Training: Korean National Training: School, University of Arts and North Carolina School School of American Ballet. of the Arts. Professional Early experience: semi- experience: Dance finalist, Varna International Theatre of Harlem (first Ballet Competition, Gwanju International year), Zest Collective, and Caitlin Trainor Competition (gold medal in Pas de Deux). Dance. Repertoire: works by Darrell Grand Professional experience: Dance Theatre Moultrie, Robert Garland and Nacho of Harlem (third year), , Duato. Korean National Ballet, Complexions Photo by Rachel Neville Contemporary Ballet, and New York Theatre Ballet. Repertoire: works by DYLAN SANTOS Robert Garland and Ulysses Dove, and Born: São Paulo, Brazil. roles in Othello, Don Quixote, Swan Training: Centro de Lake, Cinderella, Spartacus, , Le Artes Pavilhao D under Corsaire, and Giselle. Ricardo Scheir and Harid Photo by François Rousseau Conservatory. Professional experience: Dance Theatre CHRISTOPHER MCDANIEL of Harlem (fourth year), Born: East Harlem, NY. trainee, Orlando Ballet, , Training: Dance Theatre of Ballet Chicago, and Opera Ballet. Harlem School, LaGuardia Repertoire: works by George Balanchine, School of Performing Nacho Duato, Robert Garland, and Ulysses Arts, Ballet Academy East, Dove, and . , Jacob’s Photo by François Rousseau Pillow. Professional Experience: Dance Theatre of Harlem (1st season), Ballet San CRYSTAL SERRANO Antonio, . Born: Denver, CO. Training: Photo by Rachel Neville , School of American Ballet, NICHOLAS ROSE Olympic Ballet Theatre. Born: West Palm Beach Professional experience: Florida. Training: The Dance Theatre of Harlem , (first year), Ballet San Antonio, Oregon Pacific Northwest Ballet, Ballet Theatre, Sacramento Ballet, Pacific Colburn Dance Academy. Northwest Ballet. Repertoire: Works by Professional Experience: Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, Dance Theatre of Harlem (second year) Firebird, Donizetti Variations, Cinderella, Verb . Repertoire: works by George , , Balanchine and Marius Petipa. The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Photo by François Rousseau , and Swan Lake. Photo by Rachel Neville APR/MAY 2018 VISIT THEBROADSTAGE.ORG 9 INGRID SILVA ALISON STROMING Born: Rio de Janeiro, Born: Recife, Brazil. Brazil. Training: Projeto Training: School of Dan-cando Para Nao American Ballet and Dancar, Escola de Danca Jacqueline Kennedy Maria Olenewa, and Centro Onassis School at de Movimento Debora , Colker. Education: Universidade da Junior Division. Early experience: Cidade. Professional experience: Dance children’s roles with , Theatre of Harlem (sixth year), Grupo 2010 New York Miss Outstanding Teen, Corpo (apprentice), Dance Theatre of and Dizzy Feet Foundation Award 2010. Harlem Ensemble, Dancado Para Nao Professional experience: Dance Theatre Dancar, Armitage Gone! Dance, and the of Harlem (forth year), Alberta Ballet, and Francesca Harper Project. Repertoire: . Special Awards: National works by Arthur Mitchell, Donald Byrd, Capezio Athlete. Repertoire: works by George Balanchine, John Alleyne, Darrel George Balanchine, Donald Byrd, Darrel Grand Moultrie, Francesca Harper, Robert Grand Moultrie, Ulysses Dove, Robert Garland, David Fernandez, Carol Armitage, Garland, Dwight Rhoden, , and Deborah Colker, Rodrigo Pederneiras, and . many others. Photo by François Rousseau Photo by François Rousseau JORGE ANDRES VILLARINI AMANDA SMITH Born: San Juan, Puerto Born: Orange County, Rico. Training: Escuela de CA. Training: Charlotte Baile Andanza in Puerto Ballet, SUNY Purchase, Rico and the Jacqueline Joffrey Ballet School, Kennedy Onassis School at Anaheim Ballet, Pointe American Ballet Theatre. of Grace, Ballet Pacifica. Education: Marymount College Professional Experience: Dance Theatre of (B.F.A.). Professional Experience: Dance Harlem (first year), , New Theatre of Harlem (forth year), Ballet Met, York Theatre Ballet, Black Iris Project. and Dance Company. Repertoire: works by George Balanchine, Special Awards: Greater Columbus Arts Mark Diamond, Sasha James, Dwight Council Columbus Choreographic Rhoden, , Jiri Killian, and Fellowship. Repertoire: works by Alvin Helen Pickett. Ailey, George Balanchine, John Butler, Photo by Rachel Neville Nacho Duato, Frederick Franklin, Martha Graham, Alwin Nikolais, , James Kudelka, Edward Liang, Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, Rodney Rivera, , and Shen Wei. Photo by François Rousseau

10 APR/MAY 2018 STEPHANIE RAE WILLIAMS Scholar in the School of the Arts at New Born: Salt Lake City, Utah. York University before joining Dance Training: Dallas Dance Theatre of Harlem. Academy with Lyndette Virginia Johnson is universally recognized Galen and Fiona Fairrie, as one of the great ballerinas of her Hubbard generation and is perhaps best known for Chicago, Springboard her performances in the ballets Giselle, Danse Montreal, The , A Streetcar Named Desire and Fall River Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet, and Houston Legend. She has received such honors Ballet Academy. Professional experience: as a Young Achiever Award from the Dance Theatre of Harlem (sixth year), National Council of Women, Outstanding Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble, The Young Woman of America and the Francesca Harper Project, Complexions Dance Magazine Award, a Pen and Brush Contemporary Dance Company, Ballet Achievement Award, the Washington Black, and Texas Ballet Theatre. Special Performing Arts Society’s 2008-2009 Pola Awards: August 2013 Dance Magazine Nirenska Lifetime Achievement Award and “On the Rise,” 2006 National Foundation the 2009 Martha Hill Fund Mid-Career for the Arts Award, 2006 Youth America Award. Grand Prix finalist, and 2004 Texas Photo by François Rousseau Commission on the Arts Young Master. Repertoire: works by Arthur Mitchell, ARTHUR MITCHELL, Donald Byrd, George Balanchine, John co-founder, artistic Alleyne, Darrel Grand Moultrie, Francesca director emeritus Harper, Robert Garland, and David Arthur Mitchell is known Fernandez. around the world for Photo by François Rousseau creating and sustaining the Dance Theatre of VIRGINIA JOHNSON, Harlem, the internationally artistic director acclaimed ballet company he co-founded A founding member of with Karel Shook in 1969. Following a Dance Theatre of Harlem, brilliant career as a principal artist with Virginia Johnson was one the New York City Ballet, Mr. Mitchell of its principal ballerinas dedicated his life to changing perceptions over a career that spanned and advancing the art form of ballet nearly 30 years. After retiring in 1997, through the first permanently established Ms. Johnson went on to found Pointe African American and racially diverse and was editor-in chief for Magazine ballet company. 10 years. Born in New York City in 1934, Mr. Mitchell A native of Washington, D.C., Ms. Johnson began his dance training at New York began her training with Therrell Smith. She City’s High School of the Performing studied with Mary Day at the Washington Arts, where he won the coveted annual School of Ballet and graduated from dance award and subsequently a full the Academy of the Washington School scholarship to the School of American of Ballet and went on to be a University APR/MAY 2018 VISIT THEBROADSTAGE.ORG 11 Ballet. In 1955, he became the first male with France’s Ballet du Nord (1986) and African American to become a permanent BalletMet of Columbus, Ohio (1987-1989). member of a major ballet company As a guest artist, Mr. Saunders appeared when he joined New York City Ballet. with Boston Repertory Ballet, Maryland Mr. Mitchell rose quickly to the rank of Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, Ballethnic Principal Dancer during his 15-year career Dance Company and the David Parsons with New York City Ballet and electrified Company, among others. He has been audiences with his performances in a a faculty member of the Dance Theatre broad spectrum of roles. Upon learning of of Harlem School, the BalletMet Dance the death of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther Academy, the New Ballet School (Ballet King, Jr. and with financial assistance from Tech), Steps NYC and the 92nd Street Y. Mrs. Alva B. Gimbel, the Ford Foundation In 2003, Mr. Saunders was Guest Artist- and his own savings, Mr. Mitchell founded in-Residence in the Dance Department at Dance Theatre of Harlem with his mentor the University of Wyoming. He has taught and ballet instructor Karel Shook. and choreographed at their Snowy Range With an illustrious career that has Dance Festival eight times. spanned over 50 years, Mr. Mitchell is the Keith Saunders was appointed Dance recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, Theatre of Harlem’s assistant ballet master a National Medal of the Arts, a MacArthur in 1994 and ballet master in 1996. From Foundation Fellowship, the New York 2004 - 2010, Mr. Saunders was director of Living Landmark Award, the Handel Dancing Through Barriers®, Dance Theatre Medallion, the NAACP Image Award and of Harlem’s international education and more than a dozen honorary degrees. outreach initiative, in addition to directing the DTH Ensemble. In 2017, Saunders KEITH SAUNDERS, earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree in ballet master Dance from Hollins University of Roanoke, VA. Keith Saunders, a native of Baltimore, MD, began Photo by François Rousseau dancing in 1971 while KELLYE A. SAUNDERS, a student at Harvard ballet master University. He began his Ms. Saunders began her ballet training in 1973 at dance training at the the National Center for Afro-American Jones-Haywood School Artists in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Mr. of Ballet in Washington, Saunders joined Dance Theatre of Harlem DC. She continued her in 1975 and continued his development dance education with under the tutelage of Arthur Mitchell, at Le Centre de Danse International in Karel Shook and William Griffith. He Cannes, France, under the tutelage of became a principal dancer with DTH Rosella Hightower, before joining DTH. and performed a wide range of roles Ms. Saunders spent most of her career throughout the company’s repertoire with the Dance Theatre of Harlem where for more than 17 years. He also danced she was a principal dancer. Some of Ms.

12 APR/MAY 2018 Saunders’ featured roles include Firebird, Robert Garland was a member of the Giselle, A Song for Dead Warriors, , Dance Theatre of Harlem Company Serenade, Adrian (Angel on Earth), achieving the rank of principal dancer. The Four Temperaments, The Moor’s After creating a work for the DTH Pavane, Allegro Brillante and Fancy School Ensemble, Arthur Mitchell invited Free. Ms. Saunders has also appeared in Robert Garland to create a work for the Broadway productions of The Red The Dance Theatre of Harlem Company Shoes and Porgy and Bess and as a guest and appointed him the organization’s artist dancing the role of The Striptease first Resident Choreographer. He is also Girl in Slaughter on in Director of the Professional Training a collaborative project with The New Program of the DTH school, and the York City Ballet. After leaving DTH, Ms. organization’s webmaster. Saunders joined Ballet NY and Collage In addition to choreographing several Dance Collective as a principal dancer. ballets for DTH, Mr. Garland has also Some of her other guest appearances created works for New York City Ballet, include performances with Washington Britain’s Royal Ballet, Oakland Ballet and Ballet, Maryland Ballet, Ballethnic many others. His commercial work has Dance Company, Gala of International included music videos, commercials Ballet Stars, Configurations Dance and short films, including the children’s Company, The Flint Institute of Music, television show Sesame Street, a Nike Complexions Contemporary Dance and commercial featuring New York Yankee The . Ms. Saunders Derek Jeter, the NAACP Image Awards, a has had extensive experience teaching short film for designer Donna Karan and and coaching dancers at both academic the “Charmin Cha-Cha” for Proctor and and professional levels. From 2010-2013, Gamble. Mr. Garland holds a Bachelor of Ms. Saunders served as the project Fine Arts Degree from the Juilliard School coordinator for the Dance Theatre of in New York City. Harlem’s Harlem Dance Works 2.0 Series. Photo by François Rousseau Harlem Dance Works 2.0 was a series of choreographic workshops whose purpose ANNA GLASS, was to produce new repertoire for the executive director Dance Theatre of Harlem Company. She Anna has been involved is currently a Ballet Master of the Dance in the performing arts as Theatre of Harlem Company. both an artist and arts Photo by François Rousseau administrator for over 20 years. She recently ROBERT GARLAND, produced ’s newest resident choreographer solo show, As I Remember It, an intimate “[Gloria], Robert Garland’s portrait of this legendary artist. Anna 2012 ballet celebrating previously served as the Managing Dance Theater of Harlem’s Director of 651 ARTS, a presenting/ rebirth is a transcendent producing arts organization dedicated to work that relies as much on celebrating contemporary performing arts imagination as steps.” – APR/MAY 2018 VISIT THEBROADSTAGE.ORG 13 of the African Diaspora. While at 651 ARTS, Board of Directors she co-produced numerous projects, Michael D. Armstrong, Chairman including the highly regarded national tour Leslie Wims Morris, Vice-Chairman of FLY: Five First Ladies of Dance. Ackneil M. Muldrow, III, Vice-Chairman Anna has served as a consultant providing Zandra Perry Ogbomo, Treasurer strategic planning and fundraising Don M. Tellock, Esq., Secretary guidance to various non-profit arts Kendrick F. Ashton Jr. organizations, including Urban Bush Nancy Pforzheimer Aronson Women and the Weeksville Heritage Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts III Center. She currently serves on the Kevin M. Cofsky board of the Association of Performing Isabel Kallman Arts Presenters. She has served as a Hub Spencer Means Site for the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project Asha Richards grant program. After receiving her Administrative Staff Juris Doctor from the University of Artistic Director Dayton School of Law, Anna became Virginia Johnson the Artist Representative for the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, a Executive Director company she performed with for three Anna Glass years (DCDC2). She is a licensed attorney Director of Development in the State of New York and lives in Paola Muggia Harlem with her husband and daughter. Director, Individual Giving Dance Theatre of Harlem, Inc. Sharon Duncan Everett Center for the Performing Arts Marketing Manager 466 West 152nd Street Keyana K. Patterson New York, NY 10031-1814 Grant Writer (212) 690-2800, (212) 690-8736 fax Sallie Sanders www.dancetheatreofharlem.org Controller Nicole Frisina, Wen Song, Your Part-Time Controller Staff Accountant Mark Rowan Accountant Melissa Filippi HR Consultant Hero Doucas, Marsh & McLennan Agency Assistant to the Executive Director Jordan Oldham

14 APR/MAY 2018 Building Operations Manager Student Affairs Officer Kenneth Thomas Karen Farnum-Williams Building / Maintenance Alberto Recinos, Lillian Recinoas, Community Programs Marco Recinos, Altagraciá Tejeda, Arts Education and Outreach Manager Ana Tejeda, Janifer Tejeda Sophia Morris-Pittman Front Desk Program Associate LaShawn Wallace, Matt Akins, Dara Bean, Theara Ward Kanika Brown, Liz McAllister,

Company Staff Ballet Master Keith Saunders Ballet Master Kellye A. Saunders Resident Choreographer Robert Garland Interim General & Company Manager Melinda Bloom Stage Manager Heather Olcott Lighting Supervisor Leo Janks Wardrobe Supervisor Katy Freeman Booking Manager Edward Schoelwer Physical Therapists Alison Deleget & Joshua Honrado, Harkness Center for Dance Injuries

Dance Theatre of Harlem School Director Robert Garland Associate Director Lower/Upper School Augustus van Heerden Associate Director, Tendu Program Rachel Sekyi

APR/MAY 2018 VISIT THEBROADSTAGE.ORG 15