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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

  • Ailey II

CHOREOGRAPHER

  • Francesca Harper

WORLD PREMIERE

OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater, 2024

MUSIC

Nona Hendryx

COSTUMES

Elias Gurrola

LIGHTING

Tsubasa Kamei

RUN TIME

23 Minutes

Embarking on a captivating journey through time, Ailey II Artistic Director 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

SEE IT LIVE

Carousel of performance dates
FriApr 25
  • Ailey II
Ailey II dancers against a dark background.

7:30PM

Kansas City, MO

Ailey II at Folly Theater
  • Ailey II
Buy Tickets
SatApr 26
  • Ailey II
A group of dancers lift another dancer into the air.

1PM

Kansas City, MO

Ailey II at Folly Theater
  • Ailey II
Buy Tickets

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.

FUNDERS

Francesca Harper's Luminous was made possible, in part, by a commissioning grant from the O'Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation. Additional support was provided by Kim van Doorn.

A group of dancers in flesh tone dresses look up and reach their hands to the sky

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