SOUNDCHECK: CURATOR CONVERSATIONS WITH DWIGHT RHODEN

Monday, July 6, 2020

7:00 pm - 7:30 pm

SummerStage Instagram

Join SummerStage’s Dance Curator Danni Gee in a live discussion with Dwight Rhoden of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. 

They will discuss Rhoden’s artistic vision, making work that reflects the times, and how the company has been staying engaged during the COVID “pause.”

—

Dwight Rhoden (Founding Artistic Director/Resident Choreographer) has established a remarkably wide- ranging career, earning distinction from The New York Times as “one of the most sought out choreographers of the day.”

A native of Dayton, Ohio, who began dancing at age 17, Rhoden has performed with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Les Ballet Jazz De Montreal and as a principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. As a performer, he has appeared in numerous television specials, documentaries and commercials throughout the United States, Canada and Europe and has been a featured performer on many PBS Great Performances specials.

In 1994, Rhoden, along with Desmond Richardson founded Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Together they have brought their unique brand of contemporary dance to the world for over two decades. CCB is widely considered “America’s Original Multicultural Contemporary Ballet Company”, and is celebrated for its pioneering spirit, and the building of a universal brand that continues to challenge traditional ideas, and redefine possibilities in the dance arena. Under Rhoden’s direction, Complexions has become a dance institution that is much in demand.  CCB has lead the way in Contemporary Ballet in America, by removing traditional boundaries, and celebrating the beauty of differences – through courageous, innovative and cutting edge programming.  Over the years, Complexions has remained consistent in delivering a profound passion for diversity that has framed its vision and become its hallmark.

Rhoden has created over 80 ballets for Complexions, as well as numerous other companies, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet Arizona, The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Company, BalletMet, The Dance Theater of Harlem, Colorado Ballet, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, The Joffrey Ballet, Miami City Ballet, New York City Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, The Pennsylvania Ballet, Philadanco, Marinsky Ballet, Minneapolis Dance Theater, Phoenix Dance Company, Sacramento Ballet, Oakland Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Ballet Nice’ Mediterranean, Tulsa Ballet, The Washington Ballet, The San Francisco Ballet, Western Australian Ballet,  Zenon Dance Company, among others.

He has also worked with, and/or created works for such high-profile artists as Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Kelly Clarkson, ELEW, David Rozenblatt, Nicholas Payton, The Drifters, Paul Simon, Billy Strayhorn, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, U2, The Turtle Creek Chorus, and Patrick Swayze.