MacArthur Genius Kyle Abraham’s NYC Dance Company at Harbison Theatre
March 7, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – Fresh from a MacArthur Genius Award win, hailed modern dance choreographer Kyle Abraham and his NYC-based dance company, Abraham.In.Motion, bring Pavement, a contemporary dance performance depicting black culture in 1990s Pittsburgh, to Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Pavement examines the cultural ebbs and flows of two historically black neighborhoods in Abraham’s inner-city hometown of Pittsburgh, Penn. Drawing from the classic 1991 movie Boyz N the Hood and Abraham’s early years spent in Pittsburgh, Pavement pays homage to the bold, backwards-jean and faded high top styles of 90s hip-hop – while paying deeper tribute to a culture historically battling discrimination.
“The power of this production lies at the intersection between the performers, the piece and the audience,” says Katie Fox, Executive Director at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College. “Some will see themselves in the ‘characters,’ others will see our society in the action.
“Although the piece was originally choreographed a few years ago and is based on a neighborhood from a couple of decades ago, there are moments and relationships in Pavement that can be found everywhere – in our city, in our homes and schools and neighborhoods; and there are situations that are reminiscent of recent, highly publicized events in Ferguson, Missouri and in New York. When the performer, piece and audience come together, there we have the power to change ourselves and change our collective outcomes.”
As one of the leading modern dance choreographers of the 21st century, Abraham has been widely recognized for his powerful creative work. Following his nomination to Dance Magazine’s elite 2009 list of “25 to Watch,” awards for Abraham’s brilliant work rolled in quickly. Most recently, Abraham was one of 24 select individuals named to the 2013 class of MacArthur Fellows, receiving a grant of $625,000 over five years to fulfill his creative vision.
His choreography has been performed throughout the U.S. as well as abroad, from The Kelly-Strayhorn Theater in Pittsburgh to Dublin, Ireland’s Project Arts Center.
“In just a few years, Abraham’s company has risen to the apex of contemporary American dance,” notes Fox. “Their articulated movement quality and connection to the music is overwhelming.”
Abraham’s performing arts training began in high school, after which he went on to earn a BFA and then an MFA from New York University. His experiences at Schenley High School, nestled in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District, are what brought the concept for Pavement to life.
Ticketing Details
Pavement is one of 9 shows selected for Harbison Theatre’s 2014-2015 Signature Season. Individual show tickets can be purchased at www.HarbisonTheatre.org.
Buyers may also order tickets via phone at 803-407-5011, or in person at the Harbison Theatre Box Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The box office also will open two hours prior to each show in the Signature Series.
About Harbison Theatre
Rooted in the performing arts, Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College offers programs and productions that encourage reflection, examination and discovery; and that provide entertainment, education and opportunity to professionals, learners and community members in all stages of life. To learn about upcoming events, purchase tickets, or pursue sponsorship and volunteer opportunities with Harbison Theatre, please visit www.HarbisonTheatre.org.
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About Midlands Technical College
Midlands Technical College (MTC) is a comprehensive, multi-campus, public, two-year college serving Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties of South Carolina. The fifth-largest provider of higher education in South Carolina and the largest provider of transfer students to four-year colleges and universities in the state, MTC enrolls approximately 18,000 credit students annually. The college’s Corporate and Continuing Education program, one of the largest and most comprehensive in the Southeast, annually has 30,000 enrollments and provides continuing education to hundreds of area businesses each year. www.midlandstech.edu
