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Following the Premiere of “DeSales Occurrence,” Famed Choreographer Donald Byrd Talks with Audience and Dance Majors
In Tony-nominated choreographer Donald Byrd’s works, social justice is a common theme. As artistic director of the Seattle-based Spectrum Dance Theatre since 2002, the titles of past seasons have included “American—Identity, Race, Culture,” “WOKE???,” and “Race and Climate Change.”
“Art and dance are a way for the audience to engage with the material in a different way,” said Byrd. “Beyond fact. Beyond looking at a news report.”
This discussion point, along with others, was part of a talk back with Byrd, moderated by Derek Crescenti, visiting instructor of dance, following the opening matinee performance of the DeSales University Dance Ensemble Concert on Friday, March 17.
Speaking to an audience of DeSales dance majors, including those who performed his work “DeSales Occurrence,” as well as other concert attendees, Byrd responded to prepared questions about his social justice themes, what he looks for in dancers for his company, and how to balance his vision with audience and supporter expectations.
“I don’t cater or pander to expectations. I want to challenge expectations by creating discomfort. You don’t die by being uncomfortable but [that feeling] could lead to personal insight on how you see the world.”
Asked what his biggest challenges were, Byrd was blunt: “I am a challenge to me. I get in my own way.” He said that artists can be too self-involved and how they, including himself, perceive that the world is all about them. He said that while guilt and shame are useful to a point, forgiving himself is necessary.
“I need [to] remind myself to stop navel gazing, lift my gaze up, and see the world to feel better,” he said.
Noting that several dancers in the audience were seniors and soon to graduate, Byrd counseled them with career advice. When hiring for his own company, he of course looks for technical expertise, but he also seeks dancers who are interesting as people and dancers who can be critical thinkers about the works they will perform. “Dancers should approach pieces to make a discovery.”
“It is truly an honor for the dance department to perform repertoire by Donald Byrd and even more so for him to attend our Dance Ensemble Concert,” said Julia Mayo, associate professor and chair of the dance department. “He offered great insight into his career and choreographic process, which left our dance majors inspired to pursue their own artistic journeys. The dance faculty are thankful for his support of our program.”
In addition to being artistic director at Spectrum, Byrd earned a Tony Award nomination for “The Color Purple,” and he won a Bessie Award for “The Minstrel Show.” He has created works for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, and The Joffrey Ballet, among others. He has worked extensively in theater and opera, including The New York Public Theater, The 5th Avenue Theater, CenterStage (Baltimore), Seattle Opera, and the Dutch National Opera.
Byrd has won the Doris Duke Artist Award, James W. Ray Distinguished Artist Award, and The Kennedy Center Masters of Choreography Award. He is a fellow at The American Academy of Jerusalem, James Baldwin Fellow of United States Artists, and Resident Fellow of The Rockefeller Center Bellagio. In 2011, he won Mayor’s Arts Award for his sustained contributions to the City of Seattle.
Crescenti was a member of Byrd’s Spectrum Dance Theater from 2011-2014. He then continued with Byrd as an assistant, most recently for works on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Barnard College.
Byrd replied, “That’s exactly why you should go—to think."
