New and original, and . . . relevant to today’s conversation about race.
—Washington Post
In this powerful program, we meet tough questions about race and
social progress in a field of complex beauty. Award-winning
choreographer Kyle Abraham returns to the MCA, pairing his fluid
choreography with an evocative design by acclaimed visual artist Glenn
Ligon. A choreographer with a revealing sensitivity to music, Abraham’s
score for this suite of three dances moves from the singular
contemporary classical composer Nico Muhly, to a group of spirituals, to
a new work commissioned from Grammy Award–winning jazz pianist Robert
Glasper.
When the Wolves Came In references two
triumphs in the history of civil rights and raises questions about how
much progress we have actually made toward racial equality. In
developing the project, Abraham took inspiration from jazz
composer/drummer Max Roach’s iconic 1960 protest album We Insist! Freedom Now Suite,
which celebrated the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation and
shed light on the growing civil rights movements in South Africa and the
United States.
About the Artist
Kyle Abraham makes dances that balance vivid emotions and powerful issues. A dancer,
choreographer, and director of the dance company Abraham.In.Motion, he
often draws from his personal experiences to explore themes of adversity
in his works. Trained in cello and piano from an early age, his pieces
draw a rich relationship between music and dance.
Based in New York, Abraham began making a mark with Chicago audiences
just two seasons ago when MCA Stage presented his heartfelt The Radio Show.
Last year he returned to the MCA with a stunning new work choreographed
for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and also performed at the Harris
Theater with a duet he created for himself and New York City Ballet
principle Wendy Whelan. A 2013 MacArthur Fellow, he and his company have
performed across the United States and Europe. He has been commissioned
by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and New York Live Arts and has
received awards from Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and United States
Artists, among others. For more information, visit.
Funding
Generous support for MCA Dance is provided by David Herro and Jay Franke.
