Choreographer Alvin Ailey expresses the story of the labored, broken, yet courageous black woman, though lengthy arm extensions and torso contractions that are combined with his signature style of ballet, modern dance, and African technique. Alvin Ailey trained dancers have a way of dancing bigger than the audience could ever imagine by embodying the real life struggles Alvin himself witnessed This type of character outpouring births a spiritual intimacy or soul connection between dancer and choreography and finally audience and dancer.
A dance genius in his own right, Alvin Ailey was born on January 5, 1931 in a small town in Texas. His 17-year-old mother would soon know the struggles of being a single mother in the segregated south just months after Alvin was born. Alvin’s southern upbringing during his primary years
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The stage lighting is subtle and just enough to spotlight the dancer who stands tall with her arms extended to the sky and hands clasped together. A long, white sheet-like scarf drapes the dancer’s hands. As the music begins the solo dancer starts to sway then slowly she starts walking back and forth across the stage only ever taking one or two steps in each direction. With each step crossing one foot in front of the other. Her arms are still outstretched but now they are open; the audience can see the dancer’s face. At the time code 00:00-00:30 it is as if the dancer starts off praying. With her arms extended towards heaven she is giving God everything she has especially her problems; she has faith that He is working in her to make everything better. Her steps signify how the realities of life begin to take their toll. With each step she is wondering, worrying, searching for an answer. Her arms are open; she is literally carrying her hope. It is all she has. In practice, it can be harder to maintain faith and leave your worries in God’s hands as life provides reasons not