Robert Battle reflects on a decade leading the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Lovers of dance in Atlanta have cause to celebrate this weekend with the return of the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company to the Fox Theatre. All the more noteworthy, Robert Battle is celebrating 10 years as artistic director of the company. Atlanta has been referred to as the Ailey company’s second home since they’ve been performing here over the past 46 years. The dancers occupy the Fox Theatre from Feb. 10 – 13. Robert Battle joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes via Zoom to speak about his experience heading up the illustrious company and what role dance can play in today’s social culture and climate.
Interview highlights:
Standout dance works from the upcoming Fox Theatre program:
“[There is] a work called ‘Mass’ that I created in the Juilliard School. You know, I’m a Julliard grad, 1994, but I made this dance in, I believe, 2005 for Juilliard students, but the company is thrilling in it. As a kid, I sang in the church choir, and so this dance, in a way, it’s like a kind of choir. They have on robes, and it’s very abstract and very interesting and powerful, I believe,” Battle said.
“I have to mention a work that I choreographed called ‘Ella,’” said Battle, “ Of course, a tribute to the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald, and especially to her scat singing, which is bar none. I mean, it’s incredible. My mother introduced me to her singing, Sarah Vaughan singing. Also, a solo will be performed called ‘Inside,’ that I created many years ago, and that is the music of Nina Simone. I think the variety of works of mine made over maybe a couple of decades; I think really represent all of my interests — of wanting to be a singer, of martial arts of all kinds, of growing up in the church.”
How Battles felt when asked to succeed Ailey himself and other legends as artistic director:
“Scared,” Battles said. “I’m finding that I’m more open to say that now, and it possibly is because of the pandemic … I think we all feel like we’ve had a near-death experience in the way that this pandemic has been. It’s devastating for so many people who’ve lost so much, and for us being off the road and not able to do what it is that we are, I believe, preordained to do, which is bring people together and perform for people.”
“I wanted to say, ‘I’m confident. This is what I’m supposed to be doing.’ But no, part of me was scared because I was very much, and still am, aware of the legends of Judith Jamison and Alvin Ailey. I mean, really? I still felt like this kid from Miami growing up in Liberty City, and now I’m at the helm of this company, and everybody’s looking at me, and I’m going, ‘Look at them!’”
The Ailey dance company’s role as storyteller:
“As we see now, books being taken away from the curriculum, books that have to do with our survival with, with our human consciousness and awareness of these tragedies, that hopefully, we don’t repeat them … I think it’s very important that Ailey play a role in making sure that those stories are being told,” said Battle.
“Alvin Ailey was brilliant with words, and he said what he is trying to do is hold a mirror to society so that ultimately people could see how beautiful they are. But I think, sometimes, to get to that beauty, you have to see some of the ugly truths,” Battle said. “Dance has a way of being able to express those truths in a way that people can hear. You know, I always say where language falters, dance excels.”
Tickets and information about the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company’s performances at the Fox Theatre, Feb. 10-13, can be found here.
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