The mission of A.I.M by Kyle Abraham is to create a body of dance-based work that is galvanized by Black culture and history and features the rich tapestry of Black and Queer stories. The work, informed by and made in conjunction with artists across a range of disciplines, entwines a sensual and provocative vocabulary with a strong emphasis on music, text, video, and visual art. While grounded in choreographer Kyle Abraham’s artistic vision, A.I.M draws inspiration from a multitude of sources and movement styles.
“As an artist born in the late 1970s, I’ve experienced a change in society that brings me hope. My choreography is a reflection of that hope, but also lives in the reality of my experiences and the cultural work that still needs to be done.”—Kyle Abraham, Artistic Director
A.I.M believes in:
the power of dance as an art form and A.I.M’s distinctive, ardent voice within contemporary dance
an artistic process informed by robust conversations with people from diverse perspectives
the pursuit of excellence through ethical leadership and through
accountability to each other, the field at large, and the audiences we serve
supporting and nurturing dancers with living wages, health insurance and career development
operating with integrity throughout all aspects of the organization
2018 Princess Grace Statue Award Recipient, 2017–18 Joyce Creative Residency Artist, 2016 Doris Duke Award Recipient and 2015 City Center Choreographer in Residence, Kyle Abraham is a 2013 MacArthur Fellow who began his dance training at the Civic Light Opera Academy and the Creative and Performing Arts High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He continued his dance studies in New York, receiving a BFA from SUNY Purchase, an MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and an honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from Washington Jefferson College. He has served as a visiting professor in residence at UCLA’s World Arts Cultures in Dance program from 2016 to 2021. And in 2021, he was named the Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Professorship in Dance at The University of Southern California Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. Abraham currently sits on the advisory board for Dance Magazine and the artist advisory board for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. In 2020, he was selected to be Dance Magazine’s first-ever Guest Editor.
Rebecca Bengal of Vogue wrote, “What Abraham brings … is an avant-garde aesthetic, an original and politically minded downtown sensibility that doesn’t distinguish between genres but freely draws on a vocabulary that is as much Merce and Martha as it is Eadweard Muybridge and Michael Jackson.”
In addition to performing and developing new works for his company A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, Abraham has been commissioned by a variety of dance companies. Most recently, Abraham received two international commissions from the Royal Ballet. Abraham’s work, Optional Family, a divertissement premiered in May 2021 as part of their 21st Century Choreographers program. His most recent work, The Weathering, premiered in March 2022 to rave reviews.
Additionally, Abraham premiered When We Fell in 2021, his third creation for New York City Ballet, which The New York Times reviewed as “among the most beautiful dance films of the pandemic.” Previously, Abraham collaborated with NYCB Principal Dancer Taylor Stanley on Ces noms que nous portons, a Lincoln Center and NYCB commissioned solo; choreographed Unto The End, We Meet, commissioned by the National Ballet of Cuba, and choreographed the music video for Sufjan Stevens’ Sugar. He premiered to be seen, a new solo for American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Calvin Royal III, for the 2020 virtual Fall For Dance Festival. The New York Times raved on “how skilled he has become at mingling the ballet vernacular with other forms, from hip-hop to West African movement” and his unique talent for “finding the person within the dancer and the bodies within a body.”
In fall 2019, he choreographed Ash, a solo work for ABT Principal Dancer Misty Copeland; Only The Lonely, a newly commissioned work for Paul Taylor American Modern Dance; and The Bystander, a new commission for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago to rave reviews. Abraham premiered the Bessie-nominated The Runaway for NYCB’s 2018 Fall Fashion Gala, which was recognized as one of the “Best Dance of 2018” by The New York Times. In 2016, Abraham premiered Untitled America, a 3-part commissioned work for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; toured The Serpent and The Smoke, a pas de deux for himself and acclaimed Bessie Award-winning and former New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Wendy Whelan as part of Restless Creature; and choreographed for the feature-length film, The Book of Henry, for acclaimed director Colin Trevorrow.
Kyle Abraham, Artistic Director
Sydnie Liggett-Dennis, Executive Director
Jessica Tong, Rehearsal Director
Vernon Scott, Producing Director
Anne Dechêne, General Manager
Bridget Caston, Interim Company Manager
Amber Lee Parker, Company Manager
Meredith Belis, Production Stage Manager
Matthew Baker, Artistic Engagement Manager
Dan Stearns, Lighting Supervisor
Alexander Diaz, Marketing Manager
Chris Constable, Press Agent
Izzi Wayner, Interim Director of Development
Danielle LeBron, Development Associate
Lucy Mallett, Financial Services
Dance with A.I.M by Kyle Abraham! We’re excited to announce our 2024 Winter Intensive, December 16–20, 2024, at USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance! Join us for a week of classes, repertory, conversation, and the opportunity to learn alongside A.I.M Company Members.
A.I.M’s 2024 Winter Intensive is free to all participants to ensure accessibility to our community. Participants are selected by application, and capacity is limited. Recommended for aspiring and professional dancers.
Please contact education@aimbykyleabraham.org with any questions.
Stay tuned for more information.
Location
Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center
849 W 34th St, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Sample Schedule*
All classes are taught by A.I.M company members unless otherwise specified in participant welcome materials.
*Subject to change.
10a–10:30a: arrival, studio available for warm-up
10:30a–12p: Technique Class
12:15p–1:30p: A.I.M Movement Workshop
1:30p–2:30p: Lunch Break (lunch conversations with A.I.M Company Members will take place on select days)
2:30p–5:30p: A.I.M Repertory All applicants are expected to be available for the entire duration of the intensive. Scheduling breakdowns are subject to change within the time allotted.
For domestic and international booking information, contact:
Sophie Myrtil-McCourty, President
Lotus Arts Management
72-11 Austin Street, #371
Forest Hills, NY 11375
+1 347 721 8724
sophie@lotusartsmgmt.com
For general inquiries, please email info@aimbykyleabraham.org or call 914 996 7444.
For audition inquiries, please send a resume, a photo and a short video of yourself to matthew@aimbykyleabraham.org.
For questions about volunteer opportunities or creative partnerships, please contact info@aimbykyleabraham.org or 212 691 6500 ext. 311.
Website design: Neil Donnelly & Cat Wentworth
Website development: Henry Van Dusen