fOR PfRfORMIhO f)RT5 Governors State University UNLIMITED presents OPPORTUNITY Complete your degree SYLVIA WATERS-ARTISTILEYC DIRECTOER Lowest tuition in Chicagoland Troy Powell -Associate Artistic Director Improve your skills and qualifications Company Members Sarah Daley, Solomon Dumas, Brittany Engel-Adams, Renaldo Gardner, Prepare for success Jacqueline Green, Collin Heyward, Yusaku Komori, Slim Mello, Major Nesby, Kelly Robotham, Fana Tesfagiorgis, Elizabeth Washington JUDITH JAMISON -ARTISTIC ADVISOR Ailey II is produced by Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. Governors Sharon Gersten Luckman, Executive Director (TV) State Alley II gratefully acknowledges the generous support provided by the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Dizzy Feet Foundation, LCU Foundation, yXC^s University New York Community Trust, and the Oceanic Heritage Foundation. University Park, IL Official U.S. Tour Sponsor 708.534.6802 Met Life Foundation www.govst.edu/4gsu Saturday. November 6.2010 This presentation is supported by the AM Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Governors MIDWEST Midwest funded by the National Endowment State for the Arts, with additional contributions from University The Illinois Arts Council, General Mills i I NATIONAL www.govst.edu ENDOWMENT Foundation, and Land O'Lakes Foundation. FOR THE ARTS The taking of photographs and the use of recording equipment of any kind during performances is strictly prohibited. Programming and casting subject to change. REVELATIONS (1960) Choreography by Alvin Alley Music: Traditional Decor and costumes by Ves Harper AILEY Costumes for "Rocka My Soul" redesigned by Barbara Forbes SHARDS (1988) Lighting by Nicola Cernovitch Choreography by Donald Byrd Original music by Mio Morales PILGRIM OF SORROW Costume design by Gabriel Berry I Been 'Buked The Company Lighting design by Blu Music arranged by Hall Johnson* The Company Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel Yusaku Komori, Elizabeth Washington, Jacqueline Green Donald Byrd started his company, Donald Byrd/The Group, in Los Angeles, California in 1978, Music arranged by James Miller* moving it to New York City in 1983. Prior to that time, Mr. Byrd studied at Tufts and Yale Universities, The Fix Me, Jesus Brittany Engel-Adams, Collin Heyward Cambridge School of Ballet, the London School of Contemporary Dance, The Ailey School and with Mia Music arranged by Hall Johnson* Slavenska. He danced with Twyla Tharp, Karole Armitage and Gus Solomons Jr. Since 1976, Mr. Byrd TAKE ME TO THE WATER hascreatedoveronehundredworksforhisowncompanyaswellasAlvinAileyAmericanD^ Processional/Honor, Honor... '...Yusaku Komori, Sarah Daley, Slim Mello, Major Nesby Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Philadanco Cleo Parker Robinson, Dallas Black Dance and Mus|c ^g ^^ A Roberts Phoenix Dance in Leeds, England. He also created works for classical companies including Pacific ... ,,, . i/ n n u c i - n - c T * Northwest Ballet; Concordanse; Oregon Ballet Theater; Aterballetto in Reggie Emilia, Italy and Wade m the Water Kel|y Robotham' Solomon Dumas' Fana Tesfa9'orgis MaggioDanza di Firenze in Italy; to name a few. In June 2002, Mr. Byrd disbanded Donald Byrd/The Music adaPted and arran9ed "* Howard A- Roberts- "Wade in the Water" se1uence bV E|la Jenkins. Group and was appointed artistic director of Spectrum Dance Theater in Seattle, Washington and "A Man Went Down to tne River"is an or'9inal composition by Ella Jenkins. currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Dance Theater Workshop. ' Wanna Be Ready Renaldo Gardner Music arranged by James Miller -INTERMISSION- MOVE, MEMBERS, MOVE Sinner Man Major Nesby, Slim Mello, Yusaku Komori THE CORNER (2010) Music adapted and arranged by Howard A. Roberts Choreography by Kyle Abraham Tne Da/ is Past and Gone The Company Music: Various Artists* Music arranged by Howard A. Roberts and Brother John Sellers Costume design by Kendell Dempster You MaX Run On The Company Lighting design by Dan Scully Music arranged by Howard A. Roberts and Brother John Sellers The Company Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham The Company Kyle Abraham began his dance training in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and continued his dance Music adapted and arranged by Howard A. Roberts studies in New York, receiving a BFA from SUNY Purchase and a MFA from New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Abraham has received tremendous accolades and awards for his dancing and Used by arrangement with G. Schirmer, Inc., publisher and copyright owner. choreography including Dance Magazine's coveted '25 to Watch' in 2009 and a Princess Grace Award + Used ^s Pecial ^rangement with Galaxy Music Corporation, New York City. for his choreography. Most recently, Abraham was heralded by OUT Magazine as one of the 'best and All performances of Revelations are permanently endowed by a generous gift brightest creative talent to emerge in New York City in the age of Obama." His choreography has been from Donald L. Jonas in celebration of the birthday of his wife Barbara presented throughout the United States and abroad. As a performer, Abraham has worked with many an(j ner deep commitment to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. dance companies including David Dorfman Dance, Dance Alloy, and Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company among others. Abraham also teaches his unique approach to post-modern dance in various AILEY II STAFF AND CREDITS schools and studios throughout the United States and is founder/director of Kyle Abraham/ Sylvia Waters, Artistic Director Abraham.In.Motion, a contemporary dance company founded in 2006 jr0y Powell, Associate Artistic Director *Common "The Corner" from the album Be. Fredrick Chopin "Nocturne Op.37 Number 2 In Isabelle Quattlebaum Business Manaqer G"and"Prelude15inDFIaf(performedbyGamckOhlsson.) Donny Hathaway "He AintHeavy,"He's My Vito Castelgrande Company Manager Brother," and "Valdez in the Country" taken from the album These Songs for You. Brian Emens Staae Manaaer /A/TPPM/QQ/OAI StaceyBoggs, Lighting Supervisor >/u/v Denise Martin, Wardrobe Supervisor Alley II is an exceptional company that merges the spirit and energy of the country's best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today's most outstanding emerging choreographers. SYLVIA WATERS, Artistic Director Started in 1974 as the Alvin Alley Repertory Ensemble, Alley 11 embodies Mr. Alley's pioneering mission to Since Ailey ll's inception over 35 years ago, Artistic Director Sylvia Waters has been responsible establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training and community for the growth and expansion of one of the country's most vibrant dance companies. She earned a Bachelor programs for all people. Today, it is one of the most popular dance companies in the United States. of Science degree in Dance at The Juilliard School, and studied with distinguished faculty members Antony Under the artistic direction of Sylvia Waters, Alley II is comprised of the most promising Tudor, Martha Graham, Alfredo Corvino, Ethel Winter, Helen McGhee, Bertram Ross and Mary Hinkson. scholarship students of The Alley School and offers unique opportunities for artists to refine their technique Following her graduation from Juilliard, Ms. Waters moved to Paris, where she appeared regularly on while gaining invaluable performing and teaching experience during their tenure with the Company. television and worked with Michel Descombey, then director of the Paris Opera Ballet, as well as Milko Throughout its history, many Alley II members have gone on to pursue successful careers as dancers, Sparembleck, and subsequently performed in Brussels and at the Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Ms. teachers and choreographers with other professional dance companies, on Broadway and in schools. Waters returned to the United States in 1968 and joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She toured as In recent years, Alley ll's distinctive repertory has included works by dance masters Alvin Ailey, a principal dancer with the Company until assuming her current position with Ailey II. Ms. Waters has also Talley Beatty, Ulysses Dove, Lar Lubovitch, George Faison, Robert Battle, and Alvin Ailey American Dance established a distinguished reputation as a teacher, conducting master classes throughout the US and Theater's Artistic Director, Judith Jamison. Ailey II has also performed innovative works by emerging Europe. In 1997, she received an honorary doctorate from the State University of New York at Oswego. She choreographers, including Thang Dao, Carlos dos Santos and Christopher Muggins. The Company's has served as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts 2010-2011 tour consists of performances in over 35 cities across the United States and for the first time, In 2008, Ms. Waters received the Legacy Award as part of the 20th Annual IABD Festival, Syracuse University's embarking on an international tour with performances in France, Germany, and the UK. The Company Women of Distinction Award and the prestigious Dance Magazine Award. Most recently, Ms. Waters was a has received numerous honors, awards and proclamations in recognition of its residencies at major Visiting Lecturer at Harvard University during the 2010 spring semester. colleges and universities as well as visits to elementary, middle and high schools across the US. Ailey II is presented by the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, a non-profit organization, which also TROY POWELL, Associate Artistic Director