Dudley Williams balancing with one leg extended

Repertory

Gymnopedies

CHOREOGRAPHER

WORLD PREMIERE

Brooklyn Academy of Music, 1970

MUSIC

Eric Satie

LIGHTING

Chenault Spence

Gymnopedies is a solo choreographed by Alvin Ailey for Dudley Williams in 1970 to music by Erik Satie. One can think of it as a soliloquy by a pensive dancer in a studio. The music was performed live with a piano on stage. Because of an injury, Dudley was unable to perform its premiere at BAM. Instead, Keith Lee danced the role. Lee was at that time a company member of American Ballet Theatre. 

Hero Credit: Courtesy of AILEY Archives