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Group of dancers in beige and brown costumes posing dramatically on stage with a dark background. Central figure wears a long skirt and headpiece.

Repertory

Luminous

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

WORLD PREMIERE

The Joyce Theater, 2024

MUSIC

Nona Hendryx

COSTUMES

Elias Gurrola

LIGHTING

Tsubasa Kamei

RUN TIME

23 Minutes

Embarking on a captivating journey through time, Francesca Harper pays homage to five decades of Ailey II and the artists who paved the way for future generations in Luminous. The work chronicles significant periods where the company influenced the cultural landscape. These stories and memories echo the commitment to breaking boundaries, pushing artistic limits, advocating for social change, and highlighting the power of community. Underscored by an original composition and vocals by Nona Hendryx, Luminous effortlessly delivers Harper’s tribute and the celebration of 50 years of the enduring Ailey II legacy. 

Four dancers in various poses on stage, wearing beige and brown costumes, against a dark background. One dancer has an arm raised high, another extends arms forward.

Ailey II in Francesca Harper's Luminous Photo by Nir Arieli

Group of dancers in beige and brown costumes standing in a line, each with one arm raised, against an orange background.

Ailey II in Francesca Harper's Luminous Photo by Nir Arieli

A group of dancers lift another dancer into the air.

Ailey II in Francesca Harper's Luminous Photo by Christopher Duggan

A silhouetted group of dancers stand on stange with one arm raised into the air.

Ailey II in Francesca Harper's Luminous Photo by Nir Arieli

Music Credits

“Testimony” performed by Sweet Honey in the Rock, written by Ferron, courtesy of Nemisis Publishing. “Angelica” by Duke Ellington and John Coltrane, courtesy of Sony Music Publishing. “Philadelphia Morning” by Bill Conti, courtesy of EMI Music Publishing. Francesca Harper's Luminous was made possible, in part, by a commissioning grant from the O'Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation.

FUNDERS

Francesca Harper's Luminous has been made possible, in part, by a commissioning grant from the O'Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation.