Kyle Abraham

This brotha is an inspiration. I have been following Kyle in the news for a while now. My homie, Jeremy Nedd, danced for Kyle a few years back, when the company, Abraham.In.Motion, was growing up. Now, Jeremy and I are working together in Basel, and he raves about his experience. Sometimes, when we are homesick, he says to me “Yo….I should just go back to NYC and dance for Kyle…” Actually, every person I have met who has danced for him loves him. They feel appreciated and respected. He keeps his dancers busy with a full schedule of performances, which is hard to do as a freelance artist in NYC.

His choreographies are praised by critics nationwide. His work is influenced by hip-hop culture and his early studies of the classical cello, piano, and the visual arts. Kyle’s choreographies have been presented throughout the United States including the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Dance Theater Workshop, and the Fall for Dance Festival at New York’s City Center. He has also toured internationally in Montreal, Germany, Jordan, Ecuador, Ireland, and even Japan.

Kyle received a Bessie Award for Outstanding Performance in Dance for his work in The Radio Show, and a Princess Grace Award for Choreography in 2010. He was selected as one of Dance Magazine’s 25 To Watch for 2009. In 2012, Abraham was named the 2012 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award recipient and 2012 USA Ford Fellow. This year he was selected as a 2013 MacArthur Fellow. I could go on…….

Kyle’s success is an inspiration. He started something and is making it happen. He is positive and he works hard…you get what you put in…………………………

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I think I always thought I would work in the performing arts…I just think the focus shifted from music to dance back and forth over the years.

Did you always want to do what you’re doing now?

Not at all…I even quit dancing for about two years, after briefly dancing for a couple dance companies. During that time away, I went back to my love of music and also worked in education. There have been several times when I’ve thought I might be happier as an arts curator of some kind. I’m really interested in how different art forms or works can inform other aspects and events in life.

Kyle’s Favorite Things

Favorite Things to eat?

Hmmm…..I love a good pot pie and pretty much any carb….it’s strictly a love/love relationship there…

Favorite Books?

Everything James Baldwin works for me…

Favorite Movies?

Under The Cherry Moon, Breakin’ 2 Electric Boogaloo, The Hours, Kill Bill

Favorite Dance Piece or Show/Musical or both?

Ooh…too many….David Dorfman’s Light bulb Theory, Doug Varone’s Rise, Ralph Lemon’s Geography, Ronald K Brown’s Grace, Ulysses Dove’s Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven, Merce Cunningham’s Interscape, Trisha Brown’s Watermotor, Anna Sperber’s Suspended Third, Tere O’Connor’s Poem, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company’s Still/Here, Pina Bausch’s Le Sacre Du Printemps, every Faye Driscoll work….there are too many good dances out there! I need to go back to the library and do more research! LOL

I like dancers who…

…are open and invested in a creative process that is constantly changing

I am afraid of…

…making mistakes and wasting time.

Something you like to do other than dancing?

Play board games.

Dear aspiring artists,

Stay focused on your vision.

–Kyle Abraham

 Photo Journal

In Rehearsal.

PAVEMENT Photo: © Carrie Schneider

During rehearsals for the duet Kyle choreographed for himself and Wendy Whelan “Restless Creature”, which premiered at Jacob’s Pillow in August.
Photo by: Christopher Duggan

Photo: Steven Schreiber

The company.
Photo: © Carrie Schneider

For more information on Kyle, Please check out his site at abrahaminmotion.orgHave you worked with Kyle? Have you seen his work? Help me say thank you by sharing your stories in the comments below. Thank YOU for reading!