Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre preview
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre celebrates 50 years of dance this year with performances across the nation. Founded in 1958 by legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey, the company has performed for more that 21 million people in 71 different countries. The U.S. Congress recognized AAADT as a “Cultural Ambassador to the World.”
As the company’s artistic director Judith Jamison states, “Each time the curtain goes up, Alvin Ailey’s genius and humanity touches hearts and minds through dance that expresses life’s joys, sorrows, and ultimate truths.”
Appearing at the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Opera House, April 16 – 19, 2009, the company will perform Blues Suite, which premiered at the company’s first performance in 1958; Anniversary Highlights, excerpts of twelve ballets; the new work Festa Barocca, choreographed by Mauro Bigonzetti; and Suite Otis, choreographed by George Faison in honor of Otis Redding as well as Ailey’s signature piece Revelations.
Three alumni of Miami’s New World School of the Arts will be on stage: Amos J. Machanic, Jr., Jamar Roberts and Yusha-Marie Sorzano. Performance Journalism spoke with Roberts and Sorzano about their experience dancing with this historic company.
Jamar Roberts
Born: July 27, 1982.
Dance Education: Began dancing in Jacksonville, Florida at age 10. Roberts later moved to South Miami where he attended Mays Middle School, Southwood Middle School, Coral Reef Senior High School, and the New World School of the Arts. He received additional training at Dance Empire.
Ailey Affiliation: Accepted into the junior company, Ailey II, in 2002.
One year later joined the first company, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.
Offstage: Roberts enjoys reading, drawing, and designing costumes.
Bookshelf: Currently he is reading Why Evolution is True by Jerry Coyne.
On the iPod: jazz artists like John Coltrane and lots of Erykah Badu.
Favorite work in the repertory: Blues Suite.
Favorite role: a “small, five-minute section” in Night Creatures.
Why? “Sometimes the director will make a change and allow one male dancer to dance the role of two male dancers. The one male dancer will dance both leading roles.”
Advice for young dancers: “Dance cannot exist without the human soul, the heart, skin, and bones. Just find that place that has you in the dance class to begin with and work from that; you can’t go wrong.”
Words to live by: “Never, ever stop dancing” -- dancer and choreographer Geoffrey Holder.
Yusha-Marie Sorzano
Born: July 10, 1982 in Trinidad.
Dance education: After moving to Miami at nine years old, Sorzano studied dance at Perrine Elementary, Southwood Middle School, and the New World School of the Arts. She earned a bachelor of fine arts from Fordham University
Ailey affiliation: joined Ailey II in 2003 and the Ailey I in 2007.
Offstage: Sorzano enjoys singing, listening to music, teaching, and speaking to young people.
On the iPod: Adele and plenty of underground, alternative music.
Favorite piece in the Ailey repertory: Cry.
Why? “This piece just inspires me to be a better person.”
Favorite role: the duet of Festa Barrocca.
Why? “For some reason, I am drawn to the music. The music gets under my skin and is true representation of love.”
Advice for young artists: “Believe in yourself. Do your best work. Work on yourself as a human being and you will continue to grow. Be kind to yourself and others. Be humble!”
Words to live by: “Nothing before its time – Mama Sorzano.
“It will come to the degree that it will come.” -- Veteran Ailey dancer Renee Robinson.
In other words, says Sorzano, “Don’t force it.”
Tickets for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre are on sale now. Tickets vary in price from $20 to $120 and can be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office @ 305-949-6722 or online @ www.arshtcenter.org.
As the company’s artistic director Judith Jamison states, “Each time the curtain goes up, Alvin Ailey’s genius and humanity touches hearts and minds through dance that expresses life’s joys, sorrows, and ultimate truths.”
Appearing at the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Opera House, April 16 – 19, 2009, the company will perform Blues Suite, which premiered at the company’s first performance in 1958; Anniversary Highlights, excerpts of twelve ballets; the new work Festa Barocca, choreographed by Mauro Bigonzetti; and Suite Otis, choreographed by George Faison in honor of Otis Redding as well as Ailey’s signature piece Revelations.
Three alumni of Miami’s New World School of the Arts will be on stage: Amos J. Machanic, Jr., Jamar Roberts and Yusha-Marie Sorzano. Performance Journalism spoke with Roberts and Sorzano about their experience dancing with this historic company.
Jamar Roberts
Born: July 27, 1982.
Dance Education: Began dancing in Jacksonville, Florida at age 10. Roberts later moved to South Miami where he attended Mays Middle School, Southwood Middle School, Coral Reef Senior High School, and the New World School of the Arts. He received additional training at Dance Empire.
Ailey Affiliation: Accepted into the junior company, Ailey II, in 2002.
One year later joined the first company, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.
Offstage: Roberts enjoys reading, drawing, and designing costumes.
Bookshelf: Currently he is reading Why Evolution is True by Jerry Coyne.
On the iPod: jazz artists like John Coltrane and lots of Erykah Badu.
Favorite work in the repertory: Blues Suite.
Favorite role: a “small, five-minute section” in Night Creatures.
Why? “Sometimes the director will make a change and allow one male dancer to dance the role of two male dancers. The one male dancer will dance both leading roles.”
Advice for young dancers: “Dance cannot exist without the human soul, the heart, skin, and bones. Just find that place that has you in the dance class to begin with and work from that; you can’t go wrong.”
Words to live by: “Never, ever stop dancing” -- dancer and choreographer Geoffrey Holder.
Yusha-Marie Sorzano
Born: July 10, 1982 in Trinidad.
Dance education: After moving to Miami at nine years old, Sorzano studied dance at Perrine Elementary, Southwood Middle School, and the New World School of the Arts. She earned a bachelor of fine arts from Fordham University
Ailey affiliation: joined Ailey II in 2003 and the Ailey I in 2007.
Offstage: Sorzano enjoys singing, listening to music, teaching, and speaking to young people.
On the iPod: Adele and plenty of underground, alternative music.
Favorite piece in the Ailey repertory: Cry.
Why? “This piece just inspires me to be a better person.”
Favorite role: the duet of Festa Barrocca.
Why? “For some reason, I am drawn to the music. The music gets under my skin and is true representation of love.”
Advice for young artists: “Believe in yourself. Do your best work. Work on yourself as a human being and you will continue to grow. Be kind to yourself and others. Be humble!”
Words to live by: “Nothing before its time – Mama Sorzano.
“It will come to the degree that it will come.” -- Veteran Ailey dancer Renee Robinson.
In other words, says Sorzano, “Don’t force it.”
Tickets for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre are on sale now. Tickets vary in price from $20 to $120 and can be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office @ 305-949-6722 or online @ www.arshtcenter.org.