SATURDAY AUGUST 29: A Conversation with Choreographer William Forsythe: Centering Otherness in Ballet: 12:00-2:30pm (160 mins with 10 minute intermission)

Part I A Conversation with Choreographer William Forsythe: Centering Otherness in Ballet: 12:00-1:00pm (60 mins)

In the late 80’s and early 90’s Ballet Frankfurt blew ballet’s mind open. The fresh and innovative movement style, and the pointed break with classicism of black tights, and pointe shoes were amplified by the eclectic group of company artists. They were: short, tall, muscular, sexy, womanly, effeminate, bespectacled, and all highly classically trained. They were breaking lines, barriers and assumptions. Part of the intrigue was the “anti-uniformity”, no two dancers were alike, and Blackness was unapologetically present on stage. Choreographer William Forsythe joins MoBBallet founder Theresa Ruth Howard to discuss his philosophy about dance, creation, humanity and the role“otherness” played in shaping his aesthetic and in the company culture. Could this era of Ballet Frankfurt be a model for Classical ballet’s cultural reform?

Part II In Response: A Conversation with the Dancers of the Frankfurt Ballet: 1:10-2:30pm (80 mins)

After, we are joined by some of the Ballet Frankfurt dancers who will share their experiences, and thoughts on working, creating and collaborating together.
Alan Barnes
Ramon Flowers
Francesca Harper
Demond Hart
Bahiyah Hibah
Helen Pickett Desmond Richardson

In the late 80’s and early 90’s Ballet Frankfurt blew ballet’s mind open. The fresh and innovative movement style, and the pointed break with classicism of black tights, and pointe shoes were amplified by the eclectic group of company artists. They were: short, tall, muscular, sexy, womanly, effeminate, bespectacled, and all highly classically trained. They were breaking lines, barriers and assumptions. Part of the intrigue was the “anti-uniformity”, no two dancers were alike, and Blackness was unapologetically present on stage. Choreographer William Forsythe joins MoBBallet founder Theresa Ruth Howard to discuss his philosophy about dance, creation, humanity and the role“otherness” played in shaping his aesthetic and in the company culture. Could this era of Ballet Frankfurt be a model for Classical ballet’s cultural reform?