And Still They Rose: The Legacy of Black Philadelphians in Ballet
Dancing Diversity: Celebrating the History of the Black Ballet Artists of the Dutch National Ballet
Curated by Theresa Ruth Howard
Since its founding in 1961under the artistic leadership of Sonia Gaskell, the Dutch National Ballet has always been a diversity company both in nationality and ethnicity. It is one of the few companies that from its inception engaged “Black” ballet dancers, dancers with heritage from the African diaspora. Dancing Diversity: Celebrating the History of the Black Ballet Artists of Dutch National Ballet photo exhibition was originally conceived in celebration the Black Achievement. The Dancing Diversity live event was held October 20 2019 presented by Dutch National Ballet, and co-present by Artistic Director Ted Brandsen and Black Achievement Month John Leerdam. To learn more about these or other Black Ballet Artist visit: mobballet.org (if this is okay with you unless DNB wants to create a space) For more information about Dutch National Ballet visit : operaballet.nl/en/ballet/ballet Dancing Diversity: Celebrating the History of the Black Ballet Artists of Dutch National Ballet Curator: Theresa Ruth Howard Dutch National Ballet Archivist Henrik Lillin Video Editor: Mathieu Gremillet Music: Horses By Pictures of the Floating World We are proud to present the legacy of those dancers.
Reframing the Narrative: Blacks in Ballet | A Kennedy Center Digital Stage Original
Eleven black dancers from historically white ballet companies were commissioned by The Kennedy Center to create and perform a brand new ballet in just two weeks. This is their story… —– Guest curator Theresa Ruth Howard facilitated a two-week creative process through Kennedy Center Social Impact’s Office Hours Residency Program with renowned choreographer Donald Byrd, using the music of Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon, to birth this stunning piece that premiered on the Reframing the Narrative program in the Kennedy Center Opera House alongside works presented by Dance Theatre of Harlem, Ballethnic Dance Company, and Collage Dance Collective. —–
Proud recipient of an Anthem Award for Education, Art & Culture! https://www.anthemawards.com/winners/ —–
CREATIVE TEAM
Choreographer: Donald Byrd
Composer: Carlos Simon
Conductor: Dr. Leslie Dunner
Curator: Theresa Ruth Howard
Dancers: Portia Adams Precious Adams Katlyn Addison Joshua Bodden Corey Bourbonniere Jenelle Figgins Claudia Monja Ashley Murphy-Wilson Gian Carlo Perez Jonathan Philbert Miranda Silveira Raquel Smith, Apprentice
VIDEO
Executive Producer: Regis Vogt
Producers: Tony Donghyuk Yoon Ryan Nichols
Director / Director of Photography Tony Donghyuk Yoon
Editor Ryan Nichols
Graphics Georgia Bergin
Camera Operators – Story Tony Donghyuk Yoon Josh Rodriguez
Camera Operators – Performance Stella Sharpe Josh Rodriguez Harry Oakes Rick Burks Ayal Subar Camera Assistants Harry Oakes Ben Janusz KENNEDY CENTER DANCE PROGRAMMING
Director, Dance Programming Jane Raleigh
Manager, Dance Programming Julie Akerly
Coordinator, Dance Programming Malik Burnett
From Other Suns was commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of Reframing the Narrative (2022) and is made possible with support from the Kennedy Center Social Impact’s Office Hours Residency program. —– 2:39 – Dancer Othella Dallas is mistakenly identified here as Katherine Dunham. Katherine discovered and trained Othella, and Othella taught Katherine Dunham’s technique into her 90s. —–