The Runaway (ballet)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
David H. Koch Theater
| The Runaway | |
|---|---|
| Choreographer | Kyle Abraham |
| Music | Nico Muhly James Blake Jay-Z Kanye West |
| Premiere | September 27, 2018 David H. Koch Theater |
| Original ballet company | New York City Ballet |
| Design | Giles Deacon |
| Genre | contemporary ballet |
The Runaway is a one-act contemporary ballet choreographed by Kyle Abraham, to music by Nico Muhly, James Blake, Jay-Z and Kanye West, and costumes designed by Giles Deacon. The ballet premiered on September 27, 2018, at the David H. Koch Theater, performed by the New York City Ballet. It is Abraham's first piece for a ballet company, and made him the first black choreographer to work with the company in over a decade.
Background
The Runaway was one of the first commissions by the New York City Ballet's new interim leadership team, which was formed after ballet master-in-chief Peter Martins left the company due to sexual assault allegations against him.[1] One of the team's members, Justin Peck contacted choreographer Kyle Abraham to make a piece for the company.[2] Jonathan Stafford, another interim leader, said the success of Peck's The Times Are Racing led the team to look for some unorthodox choices in programming.[1]
The commission was a "shock" for Abraham, because he was already accomplished in contemporary dance, and as he recalled, "I was in the lowest of the lowest ballet classes you could be in."[1] Though it was Abraham's first piece for a ballet company, he had previously worked with former New York City Ballet principal dancer Wendy Whelan on her Restless Creature project.[1] With this ballet, Abraham became the first black choreographer to work with the company since Albert Evans in 2005. Shortly after the commission was announced, Abraham said in an interview, "I have a fear that if this piece is seen as a failure, they will never hire another black choreographer again."[3]
Development
Abraham, who only saw the company perform a handful of times, worked with interim leader Rebecca Krohn on casting and sought out dancers who would be "open to someone who isn’t necessarily going to walk in the room with steps ready for them."[2][3] He asked for black women in the cast, but it was not possible as other choreographers had made the same request.[2]
Normally, he would make a piece over the course of a year, but this time he was given three weeks.[3] He said he believed some would expect him to "make a hip-hop dance" due to his race, and noted it was "tricky" for him as he would "love the opportunity to make a classic ballet" but also wanted to make a piece that "infuses a whole other energy and vibe in the space,"[2] and not a "canned version of ballet with an urban zhoozh."[1] In the final product, hip-hop was one of the influences of the ballet.[1] Abraham had never choreographed on pointe shoes before but decided to use them for this ballet.[1][3]
Abraham considered using classical music, but opted for Nico Muhly, James Blake, Jay-Z and Kanye West. Muhly is a contemporary classical composer, a contrast to other songs.[1][4] The costumes were designed by Giles Deacon.[1]
Premiere
The Runaway had its premiere on September 27, 2018, at the New York City Ballet fall fashion gala,[1] with dancers Ashley Bouder, Jonathan Fahoury, Sara Mearns, Roman Mejia, Georgina Pazcoguin, Taylor Stanley, Sebastian Villarini-Velez and Peter Walker.[5] Two days later, Kanye West made a pro-Donald Trump speech on Saturday Night Live, and Abraham addressed the issue on social media.[6]