Dudley Williams in Alvin Ailey's Gymnopedies Courtesy of AILEY Archives
Repertory
Gymnopedies
COMPANIES
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.
Dudley Williams in Alvin Ailey's Gymnopedies Courtesy of AILEY Archives
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Hero Credit: Courtesy of AILEY Archives