Mason Artist-in-Residence A.I.M by Kyle Abraham Leads Events Across Campus and Community

Zoe Harr — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 20:40:32 +0000

Mason Artist-in-Residence A.I.M by Kyle Abraham Leads Events Across Campus and Community Zoe Harr Mon, 01/08/2024 - 15:40

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham performs at the Center on February 17. (Photo credit: Steven Pisano; Dancer: Donovan Reed).

On February 17, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham presents works by acclaimed choreographers, as well as its artistic director and MacArthur Genius Award-winning choreographer Kyle Abraham, in an evening of visionary works using various dance and music styles that uncover the relationships between identity, history, and geography.

In a 2023 New York Times article, the company’s goals are emphasized, stating, “Kyle Abraham has a mission—and it’s bigger than himself. He likes to spread the love with his company, A.I.M., and, in doing so, broaden the viewer’s experience of what a dance concert by a choreographer-led company can be."

This Black-led contemporary dance company aims to create a body of dance-based work that is galvanized by Black culture and history while promoting the power of dance and diverse perspectives.

“As an artist born in the late 1970s, I’ve experienced a change in society that brings me hope. My choreography is a reflection of that hope, but also lives in the reality of my experiences and the cultural work that still needs to be done,” says Kyle Abraham, artistic director.

Want to learn more about A.I.M by Kyle Abraham’s mission and core values? Read more on the company’s official website.

As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham company members will also work with the community through classes and workshops surrounding the performance, which are detailed below.

In a classroom visit to Mason School of Dance’s “Senior Synthesis” course taught by instructor Susan Shields, senior dance students will be joined by A.I.M company members and discuss career opportunities, professional development, and advice, through the lens of A.I.M company members lived experiences.
The company will engage with the students of Mason’s African and African American Studies (AAAS) program.
City of Fairfax Theatre Company members and A.I.M artists collaborate in a workshop titled “Unifying Uniqueness.” Part conversation and part movement workshop, “Unifying Uniqueness” investigates the ideologies surrounding uniqueness and likenesses in each participant. Led by A.I.M company members, students of all levels will learn phrases of material from A.I.M repertory; engage in a dialogue centered around early memories; and integrate movement with ideas of perception, family, and freedom.
A.I.M. company members will lead an A.I.M Movement Workshop with local high school students at Fairfax Academy and Colgan High School, as well as Mason School of Dance students and Washington, D.C.’s Dance Place adult students of both intermediate and advanced skill level.

In addition to these special residency events, a pre-performance discussion with A.I.M by Kyle Abraham Rehearsal Director Jessica Tong will take place on Monson Grand Tier prior to the performance on February 17. The discussion will be moderated by School of Dance faculty member, Lawrence M. Jackson.

Get tickets today and experience “one of the most consistently excellent troupes working today” (New York Times), A.I.M by Kyle Abraham on February 17.

In This Story

Susan Shields

Lawrence M. Jackson

Learn About Mason's Artist in Residence Program

Black History Month at the Center for the Arts

The A.I.M by Kyle Abraham residency is part of February Black History Month events at the Center for the Arts. Read more about the offerings.

Topics

CFA

Mason Artists-in-Residence

Artist in Residence

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance

Campus News

Black History Month