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A line of dancers facing away from the camera, their arms raised and slightly bent at the elbows. The dancers are shirtless or in sports bras, wearing loose gray pants, and illuminated by pink and white stage lights against a dark background.

Repertory

Untitled America

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

WORLD PREMIERE

New York City Center, 2016

MUSIC

Laura Mvula, Raime, Carsten Nicolai, Kris Bowers, and Traditional

COSTUMES

Karen Young

REHEARSAL ASSISTANTS

Tamisha Guy, Connie Shiau

LIGHTING AND SET

Dan Scully

SOUND DESIGN

Sam Crawford

RUN TIME

35 Minutes

Untitled America, a haunting trilogy that MacArthur “genius grant” winner Kyle Abraham developed over the course of two years in 2015-16, shines a light on the lasting impact of the prison system on African American individuals and families. The ensemble work that utilizes Abraham’s unique vocabulary—a rich mix of street and contemporary—is set to a soundscape of soul, ambient, percussive, and electronic music mixed with spoken word narration by former prisoners. The result is a potent, explosive piece that feels timely and urgent. The first two movements were originally performed as stand-alone works. Upon its completion, all three parts were presented together as a suite.

When the first movement of the ballet debuted at New York City Center in December 2015, Dance Magazine wrote, "Kudos to Ailey—and Abraham—for keeping the revelations relevant."  When the second section was performed at Lincoln Center in June 2016, The New York Times declared, "Mr. Abraham's [dance] vocabulary, with its rich mix of street and studio suggesting a body at war with itself, is potent and explosive and wonderfully of the moment."

Untitled America

A line of dancers facing away from the camera, their arms raised and slightly bent at the elbows. The dancers are shirtless or in sports bras, wearing loose gray pants, and illuminated by pink and white stage lights against a dark background.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Kyle Abraham's Untitled America Photo Paul Kolnik

Three dancers on a brightly lit stage, with the female dancer extending her leg and arm toward one of the male dancers, who leans back slightly. The other male dancer stands behind them. All dancers are in loose gray clothing, with the men shirtless and the woman in a sports bra. The background is dark, drawing focus to their movements.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Chalvar Monteiro, Ghrai DeVore-Stokes, and Jamar Roberts in Kyle Abraham's Untitled America Photo by Paul Kolnik

A female dancer on a brightly lit stage, performing with one arm extended forward and the other arm slightly bent. She is wearing a gray sports bra and loose gray pants. The background is dark, highlighting her focused expression and poised movement.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Ghrai DeVore-Stokes in Kyle Abraham's Untitled America Photo by Paul Kolnik

Dancers performing a contemporary piece on a dimly lit stage, with one dancer lying on the floor while others stand around them. The standing dancers have their arms raised in expressive poses, wearing loose gray clothing.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Kyle Abraham's Untitled America Photo by Paul Kolnik

Behind the Scenes of Untitled America

Music credits

“Father, Father” Words and Music by Laura Pauline Amanda Mvula and (Steven James Brown). © Universal – Songs of Polygram International, Inc. on behalf of Universal Music Publishing LTD. (BMI) / 90% interest for the Territory. Performed by Laura Mvula. Recording courtesy of SME UK Ltd. By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing. “No More My Lawd” Collected, adapted and arranged by Alan Lomax. TRO - © Copyright 1966 (Renewed) Ludlow Music, Inc., New York, NY. New York controls all publication rights for the USA and Canada. Used by Permission. “Passed Over Trail,” and “The Last Foundry” performed by Raime. Written and produced by Joe Andrews and Tom Halstead. © 2012 Blackest Ever Black. Used by permission of Embassy Music Corporation (BMI) o/b/o Mute Song Ltd. (PRS) All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. "Xerrox Isola" Composed by Carsten Nicolai Edition (GEMA), c/o Downtown Music Publishing LLC. Edition Raster Norton. Used with permission. Original composition by Kris Bowers. "Show Me Love" Words and Music by Laura Pauline Amanda Mvula, and Troy Miller. Published by Bucks Music Group Limited administered by Better Be Good / The Royalty Network, Inc and Universal Music Publishing Limited. © Universal Songs of Polygram International, Inc. on behalf of Universal Music Publishing LTD. (BMI) Special thanks to Greenhope Services for Women, Inc. and The Fortune Society.

Sponsors

Leadership support for the creation of Untitled America was made possible by Denise Littlefield Sobel and Tikkun Olam Foundation, Inc. Major support for the creation of Untitled America was provided by commissioning funds from New York City Center. Generous support was also provided by Michele & Timothy Barakett, McGue Millhiser Trust, and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.