When MacArthur Fellowship and Bessie Award winner Kyle Abraham ideates a new work, he draws inspiration from art forms outside of the world of dance in which he lives. He often looks to visual art, literature, music and film. One of his latest pieces, “An Untitled Love,” which will be performed in Rochester this January, pays homage to the soulful sounds of Grammy Award-winning R&B artist D’Angelo.
“I began with creating a working playlist,” said Abraham. “My dancers and I then engaged with sharing personal stories before diving deeper into the actual steps.”
The production melds modern dance with ballet technique, showcasing the dancers’ athletic and artistic depths and emphasizing the sensual undercurrent of the soundscore.
A native of Pittsburgh, Abraham has established himself as one of the leading voices in contemporary dance over the last two decades. He has acted as a guest choreographer for prestigious companies such as the Royal Ballet, Paul Taylor American Modern Dance, New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theater.
In addition to his collaborations, Abraham is the Artistic Director of A.I.M. (formerly Abraham.In.Motion), a company he founded in 2006. With a mission to explore themes central to Black and queer culture, A.I.M. delivers performances that resonate with both personal and societal narratives. Abraham emphasizes collaboration in his creative process, working closely with his dancers to craft each piece. This approach is essential to Jamaal Bowman, a current company member of A.I.M.
“I appreciate how I can channel some of the camp that lives inside of the Black experience, like picturing that I’m one of my aunties or uncles,” said Bowman. “Kyle encourages all of it, and that’s rare.”
Unlike some of Abraham’s other works, which delve into the darker chapters of America’s history and his own personal experiences, “An Untitled Love” radiates positivity. This piece celebrates the joy of Black love and unity, weaving together stories of connection in all forms.
“I try to make work that feels as authentically rooted in my experience or vision as possible,” said Abraham.
In his vision for “An Untitled Love,” the dancers invite the audience into an intimate, familiar space, using music, movement and minimal props. They flirt, joke and feed off one another in a way that exudes confidence both in their individual bodies and in their relationships.
When Missy Pfohl Smith, director of the Program of Dance and Movement at the University of Rochester, saw A.I.M.’s works in progress earlier this year, she decided her students and community needed to experience the work.
“I think audiences will be moved by the risks Kyle takes,” she said. “He hovers on the edges, making art that is visceral, bold and unforgettable.”
Abraham’s emphasis on the visceral is built into his choreographic style, which Bowman describes as a “post-modern gumbo” approach to movement.
“Kyle takes classical ballet and modern shapes and, as he would say, ‘sprinkles a bit of Lawry’s seasoning’ to blend the two worlds together,” he said.
This fusion of styles reflects Abraham’s extensive training, which includes a BFA from SUNY Purchase and an MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Over his career, he has danced with renowned companies such as David Dorfman Dance and the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. For Bowman, A.I.M. represents more than just a company with impressive talent; it is a space where his identity is celebrated.
“I remember being overwhelmed by the feeling of home and family when I first saw A.I.M. perform,” he said. “I saw myself in the dancers. I knew that this was a space where my Blackness and queerness would be glorified and not minimized.”
A lecture demonstration performance of “An Untitled Love” will open the UR Institute for the Performing Arts’ ARTS + Change Virtual/Hybrid Conference at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22 in the University of Rochester’s Sloan Performing Arts Center. Tickets available here.
An additional performance will take place at Nazareth University’s Arts Center on Friday, Jan. 24, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available here. Along with performances, A.I.M. movement workshops are planned for both campuses and the Rochester dance community.
Sydney Burrows is a contributor to CITY.
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
