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The history of Black dancers in ballet is rich—but many voices and many stories have remained untold and unheard. Efforts to reframe the narrative press on…by creating pathways to performance.Join us for a continuation of the work that began during our 2022 Reframing the Narrative celebration recognizing the artistry, leadership, and impact of Black ballet dancers. This two-performance engagement features a newly commissioned ballet and excerpts of recently premiered works by Black choreographers, showcasing the progress of the Pathways to Performance program. We welcome the return of guest curator Theresa Ruth Howard, founder of Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet and leader of Pathways to Performance—which cultivates and mentors Black choreographers working in the ballet aesthetic, by providing concrete opportunities for the creation and presentation of new works.
In addition to providing spaces for unheard voices to thrive, Pathways to Performance offers an environment for healing through art. In her efforts to shift the culture of ballet, Howard gives insight to Black dancers on navigating the rapidly shifting landscape, activating one’s activism safely and strategically, and building community.
This engagement will feature the unique opportunity for Black ballet dancers to experience a space where Blackness is centered in the art—this time under the guidance of award-winning choreographer Jennifer Archibald. Howard and Archibald will assemble a cast of dancers representing the future of ballet. The dancers will then participate in a two-week creative process through Kennedy Center Social Impact’s Office Hours Residency Program, culminating in a world premiere work on the Pathways to Performance program.
Here, young artists can experience ballet in a balletic environment where they are not the exception, but the rule.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St NW,Washington D.C., Washington, United States
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