A Digital Program of New Works to Include Four World Premieres, Created in Isolated "Ballet Bubbles," by Gemma Bond, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Christopher Rudd, and Pam Tanowitz

ABT Today to Announce ABT RISE: Representation and Inclusion Sustain Excellence, a Renewed Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Top: Carlos Gonzalez, Thomas Forster, Katherine Williams and Breanne Granlund in Gemma Bond’s Convivium. Bottom: Calvin Royal III and João Menegussi in Christopher Rudd’s Touché. Photos: Matador Content.

Celebrating the trailblazing spirit that has propelled American Ballet Theatre for eight decades, ABT announces a program that exemplifies innovation and inclusion.  ABT Today: The Future Starts Now will feature the Company’s world-class dancers in four World Premiere performances on Monday, November 23 at 7 P.M. EST on ABT’s YouTube Channel.  The program will also include the public launch of ABT RISE (Representation and Inclusion Sustain Excellence), ABT’s commitment to becoming a markedly more inclusive and diverse organization.

World Premieres

ABT Today will feature four World Premieres: Convivium, a work for four dancers by Gemma Bond; Indestructible Light, a work by Darrell Grand Moultrie for six dancers; Touché, a male pas de deux by Christopher Rudd; and David, a solo choreographed by Pam Tanowitz for David Hallberg.  All new works were created in isolation in upstate New York and New York City during the months of September and October.  Each work will feature a brief introduction by the choreographer, along with behind-the-scenes footage.

Gemma Bond

Bond’s Convivium, set to Variations for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano by John Harbison, was created on ABT dancers and filmed while safely quarantined at the Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Family Retreat Center in Silver Bay, New York.  The cast for Convivium includes Breanne Granlund, Soloist Katherine Williams, Principal Dancer Thomas Forster, and Carlos Gonzalez. Convivium is Bond’s second work for ABT following her debut work for the Company, A Time There Was (2019).

“I wanted to make a new work that would celebrate the dancers finally coming together in a studio after eight months of being apart,” said Bond.  “When I arrived, it seemed almost impossible to ignore the new normal and just create a celebration piece.  The dancers were extremely careful with each other, not only physically, but emotionally.  Each one of their personalities and actions during our time together created the structure of Convivium.”

Darrell Grand Moultrie

Moultrie’s Indestructible Light, his first work for American Ballet Theatre, was created and filmed during ABT’s “ballet bubble” residency at P.S. 21 in Chatham, New York.  Set to songs from Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Neal Hefti, and Billy Strayhorn (Little Pony, Tricky’s Licks, Such Sweet Thunder – The Star-Crossed Lovers, Battle Royal), Indestructible Light is a celebration of American jazz created on ABT dancers Anabel Katsnelson, Erica Lall, Betsy McBride, Jacob Clerico, Melvin Lawovi, and Duncan McIlwaine.  Moultrie’s new work features costumes by Mark Eric and lighting by Oleg Balitskiy.

Speaking about his new work, Moultrie said, “Indestructible Light is inspired by where we are now in our lives and how important it is to stay connected to hope, love, and joy.  I wanted the great music of American composers Duke Ellington, Neal Hefti, Billy Strayhorn, and Count Basie to serve as the foundation to take the dancers on an exciting, physical journey that resonates with audiences.  I’m always excited about finding ways to use great music and the dancers’ bodies to bring inspiration to people.  No matter what’s happening around us, we must always remember there’s a light within that can never be shut off.”

Christopher Rudd

In his first work for American Ballet Theatre, Rudd has choreographed Touché for Principal Dancer Calvin Royal III and corps de ballet member João Menegussi.  The work is set to Que Te Mate el Desierto, an original score by Woodkid from the motion picture Desierto, and Giuseppe Tornatore Suite by Ennio Morricone, recorded by Yo-Yo Ma from the motion picture Malèna.  Touché, created and filmed in Silver Bay, New York, explores themes of male love.  Sarah Lozoff served as intimacy director.

“My works are driven by my desire to better the world through dance,” said Rudd.  “When Kevin McKenzie offered me the commission a year ago, I was worried that I would have to compromise my voice in order to fit into an existing culture.  Instead, I spoke and was heard.  That proved to be the first step towards the creation of Touché, and what I hope will be the first of many steps towards using dance to push culture forward and using culture to push dance forward.  I believe both dance and culture are ready for this push.”

Pam Tanowitz and Jeremy Jacob

Through a reflective look at Godard’s Contempt, Principal Dancer David Hallberg dances in isolation in David, a new film by Pam Tanowitz and Jeremy Jacob. Classical, modern, and quotidian vocabularies of dance are deconstructed and juxtaposed to make evident the tension between the external pose and the internal imaginary.

Crafted outdoors on Tanowitz’s patio at her New York City apartment, David was created in collaboration with cinematographer Daniel Rampulla with costumes created by Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung.  It is set to music by Lawrence Baldwin and Luigi Boccherini and was filmed at the Pavilion in the Pond on the grounds of The Philip Johnson Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut.

ABT Today will also offer a preview of new works created by Lauren Lovette, Hope Boykin, and Amy Hall Garner for ABT Studio Company.

ABT RISE

ABT Today: The Future Starts Now will point to the future of the Company with the introduction of ABT RISE, Representation and Inclusion Sustain Excellence, a reinvigorated institutional commitment to fostering inclusion and increasing diversity at all levels of the organization.  Through initiatives existing and growing under the ABT RISE umbrella, ABT will champion, enhance, and support inclusion and diversity on its stages, in the studios and classrooms where ABT operates, behind the scenes in ABT’s administrative staff and creative teams, as well as in the audiences and communities ABT serves in New York City and around the world.

“As America’s National Ballet Company®, our continued excellence will be fueled by the inclusion of diverse individuals and viewpoints in all that we do,” said Kara Medoff Barnett, ABT Executive Director.  “As we continue to listen, reflect, and learn, we will foster consistent, candid dialogue, and we will produce art that explores and elevates our shared humanity.  Diversity, equity, and inclusion are now, and will continue to be, lenses for all decision making and planning.  In launching ABT RISE, we will build on Project Plié, continuing and expanding access to education programs that diversify our talent pipeline and embedding new initiatives and practices across the Company.”

ABT RISE initiatives and activities already underway are guided by ABT Chief Administrative Officer Kimberly Ayers Shariff and supported by the DEI Working Group, an Employee Resource Group, as well as the ABT RISE Advisory Council, a group of trustee and non-trustee advisors and ambassadors committed to helping ABT learn, improve, and lead.  Training sessions, keynotes, and webinars, professionally facilitated and peer-guided conversations, as well as formal mentorship programs are being provided to all members of the ABT community.

“The recent events in our country have spurred the ABT community to prioritize, re-imagine, and build upon the significant DEI work that has been done at ABT over the years.” said Kimberly Ayers Shariff.  “The aim is to assure that our culture fosters a sense of belonging where all voices will be heard and can be expressed authentically.”  With the support of ABT leadership at all levels and the dedicated and energetic spirit of individuals from all constituencies in the ABT community, Shariff said, “we are poised to weave the commitment embodied by ABT RISE into the fabric of our organization assuring that everyone in our community is supported, positioned to thrive, and deeply engaged in demonstrating that equitable representation sustains excellence in our artform.”

Some of the artistic initiatives, education programs and organizational partnerships that further the ABT RISE commitment include:

• ABT Women’s Movement: launched in 2018 (and building on the Women’s Choreographic Initiative launched in 2017) to increase and expand opportunity for women choreographers with annual main Company and Studio Company commissions.
• ABT RISE Creative: launched in 2020 with the aim of highlighting and elevating the talents and perspectives of BIPOC choreographers and creative team members through commissions and collaborations for the main Company and ABT Studio Company.
• ABT RISE Scholarships: expanding access to training opportunities in ABT Summer Intensives, the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, ABT Studio Company, and National Training Curriculum offerings (for ballet teachers).
• ABT RISE Intensives: offered in February (in-person), August (virtual), and October (virtual) 2020 and to be continued in 2021 and beyond, these engagement programs for 8-and-9-year-olds across New York City are provided and planned in partnership with community organizations to make the art form of classical ballet widely accessible and to increase diversity in the talent pipeline of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School.
• ABT Random House Children’s Books: a multi-year, multi-book publishing program to educate children and foster a love of dance. The books exemplify ABT’s commitment to representation in stories that reveal the humanity, tenacity, resilience, and camaraderie behind the scenes as dancers pursue their dreams.
• Community Partnerships: ongoing public school residencies and performances in New York City and ABT tour cities introduce 12,000 children annually to ABT Teaching Artists and performers, providing opportunities for students of all abilities to engage with ABT’s extensive repertoire.  ABT also partners with Fresh Air Fund, KEEN, Harlem School of the Arts, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, and Lincoln Center Passport to the Arts.

For more information about ABT RISE, please visit www.abt.org/ABTRISE.

“ABT Today will include highlights of artistic and education activities advancing ABT RISE,” said Kevin McKenzie, ABT Artistic Director.  “With renewed resolve, ABT is prioritizing representation across America’s National Ballet Company®, reflecting the diversity and dynamism of our country, and introducing an array of perspectives into decision-making and storytelling.”

ABT Today: The Future Starts Now is produced by Matador Content.  Additional segments were filmed and edited by Henry Evans and Zipline Media, Matthew Donnelly, and Nic Petry and Dancing Camera.

A pre-performance “Bubbly Barre” at 6 P.M. EST on November 23, Zoom receptions with ABT artists, and other unique experiences begin at $1,000.  For more information, please email specialevents@abt.org.  For more information on ABT Today: The Future Starts Now, please visit www.abt.org/ABTToday.

Funds raised through ABT Today will be directed to supporting people and programs that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion on and off the stage.

ABT Today is generously supported by Executive Producer The Blavatnik Family Foundation and Co-Executive Producers Sarah Arison and Andrew F. Barth. Additional support provided by Producers Lisa Smith Cashin, Susan and Leonard Feinstein, First Republic Bank, Robin Chemers Neustein, Oliver Wyman, Annie Pell, and Sutton Stracke. 

Special thanks to ABT Today’s wine sponsor, Gérard Bertrand.   

Commissions and presentations of new work by women choreographers are supported by the ABT Women’s Movement.  

Champion support for the ABT Women’s Movement is provided by Jenna Segal.  Additional leadership support provided by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.  

ABT’s Choreographic Innovation and Inspiration and Inclusion programs are generously supported by the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Additional major support of ABT’s Innovation and Inclusion programs is provided by Mark Casey and Carrie Gaiser Casey, the Ford Foundation, and through an endowed gift from the Toni and Martin Sosnoff New Works Fund. 

Special thanks to Denise Littlefield Sobel for her leadership gift to ABT’s Media Fund, advancing the Company’s digital endeavors.  

Special thanks to Dr. Robert Galvin, Medical Advisor.  

Bank of America – Lead Corporate Partner of ABT Studio Company.  

LG Signature, The Global Electronics Partner of American Ballet Theatre.  

American Airlines is the Official Airline of American Ballet Theatre.  

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