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Three dancers in low lighting with center dancer in plié looking down

Repertory

Likes vs Life

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

MUSIC

Various Artists

COSTUMES

Heather Craig

LIGHTING

Harrison Hoffert

RUN TIME

  • 11 minutes

Anxiety, depression, comparison, pressure to be perfect, external validation, loneliness, bullying, and finding joy in the downfall of others—social media imposes these effects on so many lives. In Renée I. McDonald’s work Likes vs Life, three dancers wrestle with these powerful forces, the need to connect, and the desire to escape.  

Ailey II in Likes vs Life

Three dancers wearing burgundy in front of dark background

Ailey II's J. Ammons, K. Abu, and A. Smalls in Likes vs Life Photo by Nir Arieli

Dancer leaning second dancer back with leg extended

Ailey II's Jada Ammons and Kamani Abu in Likes vs Life Photo by Nir Arieli

Dancer under low lighting mid air with arms outstretched

Ailey II's Darion Turner in Likes vs Life Photo by Nir Arieli

Three dancers in low lighting with center dancer in plié looking down

Ailey II's J. Ammons, K. Abu, and A. Smalls in Likes vs Life Nir Arieli

Dancer bending with hands to the side of his face

Ailey II's Kamani Abu in Likes vs Life Photo by Nir Arieli

Two dancers facing each other with one dancer balancing on one leg with arms extended

Ailey II's Meredith Brown and Jordyn White in Likes vs Life Photo by Nir Arieli

Three dancers in line with arms extended outward

Ailey II's M. Brown, D. Turner, and J. White in Likes vs Life Photo by Nir Arieli

Dancers in low lighting looking at dancer in center who has leg extended upward

Ailey II's A. Smalls, J. Ammons, and K. Abu in Likes vs Life Photo by Nir Arieli

Dancer in low lighting jumping with legs extended

Ailey II's Darion Turner in Likes vs Life Photo by Nir Arieli

See It Live

Music Credits

“Overture of Conclave,” “Arrival,” and “Soon Enough,” composed by Volker Bertelmann.
“The Night King,” written by Ramin Djawadi, courtesy of Universal Music Publishing.

Hero Credit: Nir Arieli