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a group of dancers jump in the air all leaning at an angle to the ground.

Repertory

John 4:20

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

WORLD PREMIERE

2018

RUN TIME

17 Minutes

MUSIC

Jack Grabow

COSTUME DESIGN

Noble Spell & Heather Craig

LIGHTING DESIGN

Ethan Saiewitz

John 4:20 is an expansion of a duet Baye & Asa originally created in 2018. This piece began as an interrogation of their shared history and divergent identities as New Yorkers, as male dancers, and as a white American and a Black American. Through the personal dynamics of their brotherhood, they address the larger political landscape of their upbringing. In this new iteration of John 4:20, they capture relationships, friends, and siblings in a group of new bodies struggling to show the reality of violence and the necessity for empathy.

One dancer stands while supporting the other dancer seated on their shoulders, both wearing loose-fitting outfits. They perform on a dimly lit stage, creating a dramatic and focused visual.

Ailey II's Maggy van den Heuvel and Tamia Strickland in Baye & Asa's John 4:20
  Photo by Nir Arieli

Two dancers perform on a dark stage, each balancing on one leg with the other leg extended behind them. They wear loose-fitting outfits, and their arms are gracefully positioned, adding to the expressive quality of the performance.

Ailey II's Maggy van den Heuvel and Tamia Strickland in Baye & Asa's John 4:20 Photo by Nir Arieli

a group of dancers jump in the air all leaning at an angle to the ground.

Ailey II in Baye & Asa's John 4:20   Photo by Steven Pisano

Three dancers move on stage wearing black shorts and light color tops,

Ailey II in Baye & Asa's John 4:20 Photo by Steven Pisano

Music Credits

“Broken Hearted Melody” written by Hal David & Sherman Edwards, courtesy of BMG Rights Management.
“Doe Deer” written by Ethan Kath, courtesy of Universal Music Publishing.
“Mariana, Mariana” written by Ruy Guerra and Edu Lobo, courtesy of Atlas Music Group.
“Rhinestone Cowboy” performed by Madvillain, courtesy of Kobalt Music Publishing.