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Home , Carmen de Lavallade, Contemporary ballet, Desmond Richardson, Joffrey Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, Royal Swedish Opera

Complexions Contemporary STAR DUST - FROM BACH TO BOWIE

Wednesday, October 2, 2019; 7:30 pm

FOUNDING ARTISTIC AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Dwight Rhoden Desmond Richardson

PRINCIPAL CHOREOGRAPHER Dwight Rhoden

ARTISTIC ADVISORS Carmen de Lavallade & Sarita Allen

GENERAL MANAGER Sumaya Jackson

REHEARSAL DIRECTORS Natiya Kezevadze, Meg Paul, Ginger Thatcher

COMPANY REPETITEUR Clifford Williams

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR & RESIDENT LIGHTING DESIGNER Michael Korsch

RESIDENT COSTUME DESIGNER Christine Darch

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER Luis E. Santiago

LIGHTING SUPERVISOR Jesse Muench

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE Christina Dooling, Gary W. Jeter II, Christina Johnson, Jae Man Joo, Natiya Kezevadze, Terk Lewis, Clifford Williams

THE COMPANY Jared Brunson, Jillian Davis, Vincenzo Di Primo, Craig Dionne, Larissa Gerszke, Brandon Gray, Maxfield Haynes, Tatiana Melendez, Khayr Muhammad, Daniela O’Neil, Simon Plant, Miguel Solano, Tim Stickney, Eriko Sugimura, Candy Tong, Megan Yamashita Apprentice: April Watson Trainees: Jacopo Calvo & Kaeli Ware

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PROGRAM Program Note: STAR DUST is the first installment of a full evening length Ballet BACH 25 tribute to the genre bending innovation of one of the prolific NYC Premiere Rock Stars of our time — DAVID BOWIE. This Ballet takes an World Premiere April 2018 - Arcata, CA array of his hits and lays a visual imprint, inspired by his unique personas and his restless invention artistically — to create a Choreography by: Dwight Rhoden Rock Opera style production in his honor. With Bowie’s 40+ year Music by: Johann Sebastian Bach & Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach career and 25 Albums, that stretch across musical borders — Lighting Design by: Michael Korsch STAR DUST pays homage to the iconic and Chameleonic spirit Costumes Design by: Christine Darch of what can only be described as... BOWIE. Performed by: The Company * STAR DUST was generously commissioned by Detroit's Music Hall. Program Note: Special Thanks to Vince Paul Reverence, Celebration, Moxie “Warszawa” Written by David Bowie & Brian Eno INTERMISSION Published by Tintoretto Music (BMI) administered by RZO Music, Inc EMI Music Publishing Ltd STAR DUST “Lazarus “ World Premiere May 2016/ Detroit, Michigan Written by David Bowie Publishers: Nipple Music (BMI) administered by RZO Music, Inc. A Ballet Tribute to David Bowie “Changes” Written by David Bowie Choreography by: Dwight Rhoden Published by Tintoretto Music (BMI) administered by RZO Music, Inc; EMI Music Publishing Ltd; Music by: David Bowie BMG Blue (BMI) obo Chrysalis Music Ltd Lighting and Set Design by: Michael Korsch “Life on Mars?” Costumes Design by: Christine Darch Written by David Bowie Published by Tintoretto Music (BMI) administered by RZO Music, Inc; EMI Music Publishing Ltd; Performed by: The Company BMG Blue (BMI) obo Chrysalis Music Ltd “1984” I. LAZARUS (Blackstar album 2016) Written by David Bowie Brandon Gray & The Company Published by Jones Music America (ASCAP) administered by ARZO Publishing; Bewlay Brothers Music; EMI Music Publishing Ltd; BMG Blue (BMI) obo Chrysalis Music Ltd II. CHANGES (Hunky Dory album 1971) “Heroes” Craig Dionne & The Company Written by David Bowie & Brian Eno Published by Tintoretto Music (BMI) administered by RZO Music, Inc; EMI Music Publishing Ltd III. LIFE ON MARS (Hunky Dory album 1971) “Modern Love” Jared Brunson & The Company Written by David Bowie Published by Jones Music America (ASCAP) administered by ARZO Publishing IV. SPACE ODDITY (Space Oddity album 1969) Maxfield Haynes & The Company “Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide” Written by David Bowie V. 1984 (Diamond Dogs album 1974) Published by Tintoretto Music (BMI) administered by RZO Music, Inc; EMI Music Publishing Ltd; BMG Blue (BMI) obo Chrysalis Music Ltd Tim Stickney & The Company “The Young Americans” VI. HEROES (Heroes album 1977) Written by David Bowie Sung by Peter Gabriel Published by Jones Music America (ASCAP) administered by ARZO Publishing; Bewlay Jillian Davis, Craig Dionne, Khayr Muhammad, Tatiana Brothers Music; EMI Music Publishing Ltd; BMG Blue (BMI) obo Chrysalis Music Ltd Melendez, Miguel Solano ABOUT THE COMPANY VII. MODERN LOVE (Let’s album 1983) Hailed as a “matchless American dance company” by the Miguel Solano & The Company Philadelphia Enquirer, COMPLEXIONS Contemporary Ballet transcends dance tradition through a groundbreaking VIII. ROCK AND ROLL SUICIDE (The Rise and Fall of Ziggy approach to the art. Founded in 1994 by master choreographer Stardust and The Spiders from Mars album 1972) Dwight Rhoden and the legendary Desmond Richardson, Simon Plant & The Company COMPLEXIONS’ foremost innovation is to remove boundaries, IX. YOUNG AMERICANS (Young Americans album 1975) not reinforce them. The company blends methods, styles and cultures from across the globe, and the result is a continually evolving form of dance that reflects the movement of our world — and all its cultures — as an interrelated whole.

COMPLEXIONS’ artistic directors and company members teach master classes around the world to dancers of all levels, bringing the company's inventive vision of human movement to five continents, over 20 countries and over 20 million television viewers. The company has also performed at major dance festivals throughout Europe. These include Italy’s Festival of Dance; France’s Isle De Dance Festival and Maison De La Dance Festival; the Holland Dance Festival; Switzerland’s Steps

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International Dance Festival; Poland’s kódź Biennale, Warsaw Jackson, Prince, Madonna, Elton John, and Aretha Franklin, and Ballet Festival and Kraków Spring Ballet Festival; and Spain’s he appears in celebrated films such as the Oscar-Award winning Dance Festival of Canary Islands. COMPLEXIONS has toured , Julie Taymor’s Across the Universe, and the recent extensively throughout the Baltic Regions, Korea, Brazil, Japan, independent film, Fall to Rise. He has worked with fashion Egypt, Israel, , New Zealand, Bermuda, Serbia, Jamaica icon, Tom Ford, Chic’s Nile Rodgers, and recently contributed and Australia. Ballet Festival; and Spain’s Dance Festival of to Grammy-Award winning Jill Scott’s video Back Together, Canary Islands. which features dancers from COMPLEXIONS. Internationally and domestically, he is a master teacher for dance programs COMPLEXIONS has received Critics’ Choice such as the New York’s All Stars Project, YoungArts Miami, Award, among numerous other awards. It has appeared in United Way, The Pulse, NYCDA, and ASH. He served as co- theaters across the U.S., including the , Lincoln creative director and choreographer with David Monn for the Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, New Victory Theater (New Park Avenue Armory Gala Masquerade. Richardson is currently York City), the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts guest artist in residence at USC’s Glorya Kaufman School of (New Orleans), Paramount Theatre (Seattle), The Music Center Dance and is the visiting adjunct professor of dance at Southern (Los Angeles), Winspear Opera House (Dallas), Cutler Majestic Methodist University. Theatre (Boston), the Music Hall (Detroit), and the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.) as part of the 2017 Ballet Across America. DWIGHT RHODEN (Founding Artistic Prominent theaters abroad that have hosted COMPLEXIONS Director/Principal Choreographer) has include the , the Kremlin Theatre (Moscow), established a remarkably wide-ranging The Mikhailovsky Theater (St. Petersburg) and the Melbourne career, earning distinction from The New Arts Center. In the 25 years since its inception, the company York Times as “one of the most sought has born witness to a world that is becoming more fluid, more out choreographers of the day.” A native changeable and more culturally interconnected than ever before. of Dayton, Ohio, Rhoden began dancing Today, COMPLEXIONS represents one of the most recognized at age 17. Rhoden has performed with and respected performing arts brands in the world. It is poised Dayton Company, to continue its mission of bringing unity to the world, one dance Les Ballet Jazz De Montreal, and as a with at a time. the American Dance Theater. In 1994, Rhoden and Desmond Richardson founded COMPLEXIONS Contemporary DESMOND RICHARDSON (Co-Founder, Ballet. They have brought their unique brand of contemporary Co-Artistic Director) was the first African- dance to the world for over two decades. Under Rhoden’s American principal dancer of American direction, COMPLEXIONS has become a dance institution Ballet Theatre, and is hailed by The New high in demand, as a center for innovation and cutting edge York Times as one of the greatest dancers programming. Rhoden’s choreography has been the lynchpin of his time. Nominated for a Tony Award of the development of COMPLEXIONS repertory. “Musicality, for his role in the original Broadway cast innovation, purpose, consistency, a brilliant use of stage of Fosse and deemed a standout in the space and the ability to tell a story—all these qualities make Tony-Award winning production After Midnight, Richardson is [Rhoden] one of today's elect choreographers” (Los Angeles highly esteemed by the concert dance and American theater Times). Since 1994, Rhoden has created over 80 for community. He appeared in ’s Broadway production COMPLEXIONS, as well as for numerous other companies, Movin’ Out, and had his singing debut in ’s and including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Arizona Ballet, , BalletMet, Dance Theater of Hal David’s The Look Of Love, choreographed by Harlem, , Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, and Scott Ellis. Richardson has appeared on celebrated , , , North stages across the world, namely The , Carolina Dance Theater, , PHILADANCO!, The Kennedy Center, Paris Opera, The Bolshoi Theatre, The , Minneapolis Dance Theater, Phoenix Dance , The State Kremlin Palace, Teatro Massimo, Company, Sacramento Ballet, Oakland Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet and Teatro alla Scala. He has been a member and invited guest Theater, , and Zenon Dance Company, of prestigious companies including Alvin Ailey American Dance among others. Rhoden has also directed and choreographed Theater, Frankfurt Ballet, Ballet, American performances for shows across a range of media, including So Ballet Theatre, Washington Ballet, and , to You Think You Can Dance, E! Entertainment’s Tribute to Style, name a few. Richardson, a Young Arts Finalist and Presidential Amici, and Cirque Du Soleil’s Zumanity, and he appeared in Scholar, has received numerous awards including the Dance the feature film One Last Dance. He has collaborated with a Magazine Award, Capezio Award, Ailey Apex Award, L.A. Ovation number of celebrated artists, including Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Award, Bessie Award, YoungArts Alumni Award, and most Kelly Clarkson, ELEW, David Rozenblatt, Nicholas Payton, The recently the Roosevelt “Rosey” Thompson Award presented Drifters, Paul Simon, Billy Strayhorn, Nina Simone, Marvin by the Presidential Scholars Foundation. In the spring of 2109, Gaye, U2, The Turtle Creek Chorus, and Patrick Swayze. Rhoden Richardson received an honorary doctorate degree from The is a recipient of various honors and awards including The New University of North Carolina School of the Arts in recognition York Foundation for the Arts Award, The Choo San Goh Award of his extensive contributions to the field of dance. Richardson for Choreography, and The Ailey School’s Apex Award. Rhoden has been a celebrity guest performer and choreographer for received an honorary doctorate degree from the Boston Conservatory in recognition of his extensive contributions to productions across media such as the American Music Awards, the field of dance. In 2020, Rhoden will premiere 2 new works the Academy Awards, City Center’s Encores! series, Italy’s AMICI, for the company’s New York City season at The Joyce Theater. and international franchises of So You Think You Can Dance. Richardson has been featured by famed artists such as Michael

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COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY BALLET

Representation: MARGARET SELBY SELBY/ARTISTS MGMT 262 West 38th Street, Suite 1701 New York, NY 10018 Office: 212-382-3260 | [email protected]

COMPLEXIONS Contemporary Ballet 22 Wilson Drive New Rochelle, NY 10801 212-777-7771 | Complexionsdance.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mark Sohn, James Giacopelli, Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, Renee Williams Niles

NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD , Guido Goldman, Cecily Tyson, Angela Bassett, Susan Jaffe, Courtney B. Vance, Margo Cohen Feinberg, Lisa Niemi Swayze, Pauletta Washington, Carmen de Lavallade, Elizabeth Roxas Dobrish

BOARD EMERITUS Rockell Metcalf, Mark Ropppel, Curb Gardner, R. Brandon Fradd, Gerald Appelstein, Maggie Kneip, Helen Zipper, Bob Schaffer, Rose Ingelton, Kriena Nederveen

STAFF Chief Executive Officer...... James Giacopelli Development Associate...... Danni Gee Benefit/Donor Relations...... Muadi Dibinga Press: ...... GOGO Public Relations and Marketing COMPLEXIONS Academy Artistic Directors: ...... Dwight Rhoden & Desmond Richardson Academy Directors: ...... Heather Guthrie, Sumaya Jackson, Meg Paul Academy Faculty: ...... Jillian Davis, Natiya Kezevadze, Youngsil Kim, Terk Lewis, Kelly Sneddon, Clifford Williams Website Design: ...... Jae Man Joo Company Photographers: ...... Steven Trumon Gray, Jae Man Joo, Rachel Neville, Steve Vaccariello Company Accompanists: ...... Adrià Barbosa, Ai Isshiki, Ray Leslee

Photo by Sharen Bradford

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