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A black and white photo of two dancers, Consuelo Atlas and Clive Thompson, in mid-performance. Clive Thompson stands with a raised wooden stick, wearing dark, torn pants. Consuelo Atlas is kneeling and leaning back dramatically, wearing a dark flowing dress. The background is dark, highlighting the dancers. The photo is labeled REPERTORY Consuelo Atlas and Clive Thompson in Child of the Earth.

Repertory

Child of the Earth

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

WORLD PREMIERE

New York City Center, 1971

MUSIC

Hugh Masekela

COSTUMES

Kelvin Rotardier

LIGHTING

Chenault Spence

Kelvin Rotardier originally created this duet for himself and fellow Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer Consuelo Atlas. The themes—of a man and woman fleeing persecution in their homeland and of renewal through human birth—derive their inspiration from a score by the South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela. 

A black and white photo of dancer Consuelo Atlas in mid-performance. She is crouched low to the ground, reaching forward with one hand while the other hand is extended behind her. She is wearing a dark dress and a headscarf. The background is dark, with a light-colored floor. The photo is labeled REPERTORY Consuelo Atlas in Child of the Earth.

Consuelo Atlas in Kelvin Rotardier's Child of the Earth Photo courtesy of the Ailey Archives

A black and white photo of a shirtless male dancer crouching with a long pole in his hands. He is wearing dark pants and has an intense expression. The background is light.

Clive Thompson in Kelvin Rotardier's Child of the Earth Photo by Rosemary Winckley

A black and white photo of two dancers, Consuelo Atlas and Clive Thompson, in mid-performance. They are wearing dark costumes and are posed closely together, both extending their arms forward while holding a wooden stick. The background is dark, highlighting the dancers. The photo is labeled REPERTORY Consuelo Atlas, Clive Thompson in Child of the Earth.

Consuelo Atlas and Clive Thompson in Kelvin Rotardier's Child of the Earth Photo courtesy of the Ailey Archives

A black and white photo of two dancers, Consuelo Atlas and Clive Thompson, in mid-performance. Clive Thompson stands with a raised wooden stick, wearing dark, torn pants. Consuelo Atlas is kneeling and leaning back dramatically, wearing a dark flowing dress. The background is dark, highlighting the dancers. The photo is labeled REPERTORY Consuelo Atlas and Clive Thompson in Child of the Earth.

Consuelo Atlas and Clive Thompson in Kelvin Rotardier's Child of the Earth Photo courtesy of the Ailey Archives

A black and white photo of dancer Kelvin Rotardier in mid-performance. He is shirtless, wearing dark, torn pants, and a headband with fabric streaming behind him. He is striking a dramatic pose with one arm curved above his head and the other extended to the side.

Kelvin Rotardier in Child of the Earth Photo courtesy of the Ailey Archives