Bald dancer in feather skirt bowing down.

Repertory

Awassa Astrige-Ostrich

COMPANIES

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

CHOREOGRAPHER

Asadata Dafora

COMPANY PREMIERE

David H. Koch Theater, 2014

WORLD PREMIERE

1932

RECREATION

Charles Moore

RESTAGING

Ella Thompson-Moore

MUSIC

Ron McBee & Carl Riley

COSTUMES

Catti (recreated by Jon Taylor)

LIGHTING

Craig Miller (recreated by Al Crawford)

With arms flapping like wings, torso rippling, and head held high, a warrior is transformed into the proud, powerful ostrich—the king of birds. Sierra Leone–born choreographer Asadata Dafora blended his vision of a traditional African dance with Western staging in this groundbreaking 1932 solo set to Carl Riley’s score of African drumming and flute.

Awassa Astrige-Ostrich

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Yannick Lebrun in Asadata Dafora's Awassa Astrige-Ostrich Photo by Paul Kolnik

Jumping dancer with feathers around their waist.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Yannick Lebrun in Asadata Dafora's Awassa Astrige-Ostrich Photo by Paul Kolnik

After the audience buzz died down and the lights dimmed, you heard the slow beat of an African drum for Asadata Dafora’s Awassa Astrige/Ostrich (1932)—and you’re transported halfway round the world…with his undulating arms, thrusting chest, and proud head, [he] took us to an African grassland. Totally satisfying.

Dance Magazine

With each step, his supple spine curved forward by a foot, mimicking a bird’s serpentine neck. When he squatted down in a deep, second-position plie, going up on his toes and holding the pose for 10 thigh-burning seconds, the crowd went crazy.

The Washington Post

Two dancers in front of a screen that looks like a lowering orange sun. They are wearing big hats and have church fans.

Support Ailey

Every donation to AILEY, a non-profit organization, furthers the pioneering vision of our founder, Alvin Ailey, to deliver dance back to the people.

Donate Today

Hero Credit: Photo by Paul Kolnik