“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;”>“If you’re an artist, you never
“mso-bidi-font-style: normal;”>finish intention was to make sure that Ailey was in front of everybody as much as possible,” said Judith Jamison, artistic director for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“My goal is to present the gift he possessed. I wanted to ensure his voice continued to be heard – because if Alvin hadn’t started this, none of us would be here.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>For 15 years she was Ailey’s muse as his company’s principal dancer. Thirty years after leaving his spotlight, she was eager to discuss her life’s work of returning the favor.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“There was no gut feeling that something was special going on; God, no – there was no time for that,” Jamison said about her first days as a troupe member in 1965.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“When you walked into his rehearsal, you hit the ground running. I had two weeks to learn a ballet – and there were only 10 of us back then. It was like, ‘Okay, put your things down, and boom, let’s go to work.’ That’s what it was about and continues to be about.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>It was the spirit of paying it forward – one that is bound within the Ailey company– that led Jamison back to lead it from behind the scenes.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“Alvin had just died, so it felt terrible,” Jamison said of assuming the role of artistic director in 1989. “But, you go on. He said it best when he said, ‘Dance came from the people, and we must deliver it back to the people.’”
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>With her tenure came countless awards, such as Kennedy Center Honors, a National Medal of Arts and an Emmy Award “font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;” lang=”EN” xml:lang=”EN”>for Outstanding Choreography. In September 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama paid tribute to her for the first of installment of “The White House Dance Series.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>The real rewards of her position were creative. They include seeing Ailey’s acquisition of a permanent home in New York, maintaining a caliber of cultural enrichment and arts education via performances around the world, offering a platform for dancers and choreographers to grow – and confidence that the legacy will continue through new leadership from Robert Battle.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“Robert’s work gets right up under your skin and in your heart,” Jamison said. “You can’t categorize it – and that’s what Alvin wanted. He didn’t want cookie-cutter dancers, and he didn’t want performances that were in a box.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Guests at this weekend’s show will see Battle’s ballet
“mso-bidi-font-style: normal;”>The Hunt the legacy of Ailey, Jamison and now Battle will be showcased through the special ballet
“mso-bidi-font-style: normal;”>Anointed Huggins, which will feature St. Louis’ own Antonio Douthit as Ailey.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“What a lovely person and what a beautiful dancer,” Jamison said of Douthit.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“He has always been on the mark when it comes to discipline, commitment and the way he commands the stage. He’s constantly growing, and you know from his work at home that he’s giving back – which is equally important.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Jamison is especially excited about a celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of Ailey’s signature ballet
“mso-bidi-font-style: normal;”>Revelations
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;” lang=”EN” xml:lang=”EN”>to the African-American experience from slavery to freedom set to Negro Spirituals “font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“That ballet came from his guts and blood,” Jamison said. “It’s about our human condition and universally understood, because everyone understands trials, tribulations, turmoil and triumph.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Jamison would not say what comes next for her after she steps down in July.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“No one could fill Alvin Ailey’s shoes, but what I’ve done for the past 22 years is stand on his shoulders,” she said. “That’s what we’ve all done and as a company will continue to do for the next 53 years.”
“mso-bidi-font-style: normal;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Dance St. Louis will present Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on March 11-March 12 at the Fox Theatre. For more information visit
“http://www.dancestlouis.org/”>www.
“font-style: normal;”>dancestlouis
