Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE – 35th Anniversary Season

Greetings! It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the first presentation in the second half of Northrop’s 2020-21 Dance Series, with Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE. Whether you are joining us for the live-streamed premiere, watching the on-demand recording, or participating as part of the K-12 program, I’m so glad you’re here.

This event represents something truly significant. While this past year has been marked by challenge and change, filled with isolation, pain, anger, and loss, this special event represents a silver lining. In this time when nothing is as it was, our purpose and mission remain constant. With this first live-streamed performance in Northrop’s Dance Series, our community of artists, arts presenters, and arts audiences reaffirm their commitment to live performance. And so, in this new space, we gather. At no other time in history would performing arts presenters from New York, Ohio, and Minnesota partner with a dance company to present an online performance. But here, in this moment, we come together virtually to escape isolation and find belonging in the company of our community. We surrender our pain and find healing in the presence of art. We release our anger and find answers to our questions. And in this time of loss, we discover signs of new growth. Here in this moment, with those around us, we can give grace and receive it; ask for mercy, and grant it.

One day soon we will gather together again safely in person. But we will not sit idly by until that day comes. Thank you–to the artists, arts presenters, and arts audiences who are showing how innovative, resilient, and adaptable we can be. Together, we will persevere.

Gratefully,

Kari Schloner

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Founded by Ronald K. Brown in 1985 and based in Brooklyn, EVIDENCE, A DANCE COMPANY focuses on the fusion of African dance with contemporary choreography and spoken word. This work provides a unique view of human struggles, tragedies, and triumphs. Brown uses movement as a way to reinforce the importance of community in African American culture and to acquaint audiences with the beauty of African forms and rhythms. EVIDENCE tours to some 30 communities in the United States annually. The company has traveled to Cuba, Brazil, England, France, Greece, Hungary, Hawaii, Ireland, Holland, Mexico, Columbia, South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, and in 2010 joined the U.S. State Department’s DanceMotion USASM tour to perform works, teach master classes, and conduct demonstrations. Annually, the company reaches an audience of more than 30,000.

Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, A Dance Company
Honors Pamela Green
February 18, 2021
In the Premiere Live Stream Performance

Note from Ronald K. Brown

The foundation of the relationship between Pamela Green, PMG Arts Management, Evidence, and I began over 20 years ago.  In 1998, I was preparing an application for National Dance Project and there was a requirement to list a Booking Agent.  I knew that Pam had worked for Baba Chuck Davis and with fingers crossed, I sent her a note asking her to work with Evidence. She said yes.  

When we began working together in 1999, we talked business, dreams, and family.  In our work together, we were able to share the work of Evidence in 50 of the states in the US and at over 8 venues internationally. 

During our relationship, Pam has brought many opportunities that have resulted in magic.  She has been instrumental in the development of some of the most potent works in the Evidence repertory including; Come Ye, One Shot, The Subtle One, and Blueprint of a Lady: The Once and Future Life of Billie Holiday, in collaboration with Nneena Freelon and over five other works. 

When Pam mentioned that Gideon Lester wanted to meet with me to discuss a presentation for the 20th Anniversary of Grace and the possible creation of a new work, I had no idea that it would result in a collaboration with Meshell Ndegeocello and the creation of Mercy.

It is perfect that for this special digital performance, Evidence is performing Mercy and some of the solos and duets that are a part of our history.  The dancers and I are happy to dedicate these performances to Pamela Green as a thank you for her support, encouragement, love, and contribution to us all.

RONALD K. BROWN (Founder/Artistic Director) raised in Brooklyn, NY, founded EVIDENCE, A Dance Company in 1985. He has worked with Mary Anthony Dance Theater, Jennifer Muller/The Works, as well as other choreographers and artists, and has been on the faculty of The Julliard School. Brown has set works on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Jeune Ballet d’Afrique Noire, Ko-Thi Dance Company, Philadanco, Muntu Dance Theater of Chicago, Ballet Hispánico, TU Dance, and Malpaso Dance Company.

He has collaborated with such artists as composer/designer Omotayo Wunmi Olaiya, the late writer Craig G. Harris, director Ernie McClintock’s Jazz Actors Theater, choreographers Patricia Hoffbauer and Rokiya Kone, composers Robert Een, Oliver Lake, Bernadette Speech, David Simons, and Don Meissner, and musicians Jason Moran, Arutor O'Farrill and Meshell Ndegeocello.

Brown is the recipient of the 2020 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award. His other awards and recognitions include the AUDELCO Award for his choreography in Regina Taylor’s award-winning play Crowns, two Black Theater Alliance Awards, and a Fred & Adele Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography in the Tony Award winning Broadway and national touring production of The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, adapted by Suzan Lori Parks, arranged by Diedre Murray, and directed by Diane Paulus.

Brown was named Def Dance Jam Workshop 2000 Mentor of the Year and has received the Doris Duke Artist Award, NYC City Center Fellowship, Scripps/ADF Award, John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship, National Endowment for the Arts Choreographers Fellowship, New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, United States Artists Fellowship, a New York Dance and Performance “Bessie” Award, Dance Magazine Award, and The Ailey Apex Award.

Brown is Co-Artistic Director of Restoration ART Youth Arts Academy Pre-Professional Training Program / Restoration Dance Youth Ensemble and a member of Stage Directors & Choreographers Society.

ARCELL CABUAG (Associate Artistic Director/Dancer) is a first generation Filipino American who is a native of San Jose, California. In 1995, he moved to New York and attended the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center where he was first introduced to Ronald K. Brown. His professional experiences include: Rock the House for Paramount Pictures (California), The Shoji Tabuchi Show (Branson, MO), and the Richard Rodgers Centennial Production of The King and I. Arcell can be seen in the episode "Choreographed" on Law and Order SVU, and a Codorinu commercial with PILOBOLUS, shot and aired in Barcelona. He has served  his community as dance professor at Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus), the Co-Artistic Director of RestorationART Youth Arts Academy Pre-Professional Training Program / Restoration Dance Youth Ensemble, and continues to teach  master class locally and abroad. Cabuag has also set EVIDENCE repertory at NYU TISCH, UMASS, Boston Arts Academy, the Peridance Certificate Program, The Ailey Fordham BFA Program, University of the Arts, Kent State, DeSales University, Coker College, Marymount Manhattan College, and Boston Conservatory. Cabuag has assisted Brown in creating repertory on Philadanco Dance Company, MUNTU, TU Dance, Ballet Hispánico, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Malpaso Dance Company of Havana, Cuba, and was the associate choreographer for the Tony Award winning Broadway and National touring production of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. Arcell was the first EVIDENCE apprentice in 1996, joined the company in 1997, was appointed to be the associate artistic director in 2003 and won a New York Dance and Performance “Bessie” Award in 2004.

TSUBASA KAMEI (Technical Director/Production Manager/Resident Lighting Designer) has toured with the company for more than 65 venues globally and internationally. Credits include: Scene and lighting for Mercy (World Premiere), lighting for Four Corners; Dancing Spirit (Company Premiere); New Conversations: Iron Meets Water (World Premiere) for Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE. He has also designed The Call (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater) and Where The Light Shines Through (TU Dance), all choreographed by Ronald K. Brown.

ANNIQUE ROBERTS (Rehearsal Director/Dancer) is from Atlanta, Georgia and a graduate of Tri-Cities High School for the Visual and Performing Arts. She attended the Junior Division Summer Intensive Program at The Ailey School and the School at Jacob’s Pillow. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance from Howard University under the direction of Dr. Sherrill Berryman Johnson. There, she performed works by distinguished choreographers such as Ronald K. Brown, Kevin Iega Jeff, Christopher Huggins, and Eleo Pomare. Annique joined Garth Fagan Dance in January 2004 and became senior dancer in 2006. She also taught at the Garth Fagan Dance School and was featured in the August 2008 issue of Dance Magazine. Annique joined EVIDENCE in January 2010 and became the rehearsal director in 2017. She was nominated for a 2013 and 2020 New York Dance and Performance Award "Bessie" for Best Performer and featured in the February 2013 edition of TimeOut NY. In 2020, she was one of seven dancers selected to perform in The Joyce Theater's production of the revival of Molissa Fenley's tour de force solo, State of Darkness. Annique also holds an MA in Arts Administration from Savannah College of Art & Design. She currently serves on Jacob’s Pillow’s School Advancement Committee and is an Adjunct Professor of Dance at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.

DEMETRIUS BURNS (Dancer) was born in Anniston, AL and grew up in Boston, MA. He graduated from Boston Arts Academy and the Boston Conservatory on scholarship where he choreographed Urinetown on the musical theatre department. He spent several summers at the Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts (EMIA) as a student, intern, and dance instructor. While at EMIA he performed at Jacob’s Pillow with Earl Mosley's Life Dance Company and repertory by Ronald K. Brown. Demetrius attended the Bates Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow social dance program with the American Dance Guild Scholarship under the direction of Camille A. Brown and Moncell Durden, and the Jacobs Pillows Improvisation Traditions and Innovation program under the direction of Jawole Zollar. Demetrius is a recipient of the EVIDENCE, A Dance Company Beth Young Scholarship and is celebrating his fourth season with EVIDENCE. He recently received his MFA in Dance from Hollins University.

STEPHANIE CHRONOPOULOS (Dancer) is a first generation Greek American, born and Raised in New York City. She graduated Cum Laude with a B.S. in Dance from LIU Brooklyn. At LIU, Stephanie had the privilege of performing works by influential choreographers such as Khaleah London, Frederick Earl Mosley, Erika Pujic, Doug Varone, and Ronald K. Brown. In 2015, she became a company member of Forces of Nature Dance Theater under the Direction of Abdel Salaam. During her time with the company, she performed in the Bessie Award winning Healing Sevens at BAM's Dance Africa, and in the revival of Terrestrial Wombs at the Apollo Theater. Stephanie has also apprenticed with Jennifer Muller/ The Works, and is now a company member with EVIDENCE, A Dance Company. She is also a recipient of the EVIDENCE Dance Workshop Series Beth Young Scholarship.

JOYCE EDWARDS (Dancer), a Rochester, NY native, is a dancer, storyteller, and a lifelong student. Her undergraduate studies in Dance and African/Afro-American Studies, at The College at Brockport SUNY, journeyed her to The University of East Legon in Ghana, and to La Universidad de Granada in Spain. Joyce has performed in works by Bessie Award winning choreographer Beth Gill and Netta Yerushalmy (Brand New Sidewalk-2017, Pitkin Grove-2018, Paramodernities-2019). She is mentioned in the 2019 Dance Magazine issue of the “25 to Watch” in 2020 for her work in Gill’s Pitkin Grove. EVIDENCE welcomed Joyce as an apprentice in May of 2018, and later as a company member in August of 2019 following her premiere in Ronald K. Brown’s Mercy at Bard SummerScape Dance Festival. Joyce is thrilled to be celebrating her second season with the company.

CHARLES GRANT (Dancer) hails from South San Francisco, CA. He started dancing with tap classes at Schumacher's School of Dance and later began to expand his dance experiences at the ODC School in San Francisco, The Rites of Passage Program in Oakland, and the Howard University Dance Major Program. After receiving his Bachelor degree from Fisk University, he attended The Ailey School for four years. During his studies, Charles participated in Buglisi Dance Theater’s Table of Silence Project, the student ensemble of Alvin Ailey’s Memoria, the Bessie Award winning show The Let Go by Nick Cave, and appeared in an episode of the FX series Pose. He has performed works by known artists such as Alvin Ailey, Ephrat Asherie, Darshan Bhuller, Hope Boykin, Clifton Brown, Ronald K Brown, Thang Dao, Amy Hall, Francesca Harper, Tracy Inman, Donald McKayle, Ray Mercer, Frederick Earl Mosley, and Pearl Primus. This is Charles' second season with EVIDENCE.

SHAYLIN WATSON (Dancer) was born in Lanham, Maryland and trained at Duke Ellington School of the Arts under the instruction of Charles Augins and Katherine Smith. She obtained a BFA in Dance with a concentration in Choreography and Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2019. While in North Carolina, her choreography was featured in the National Black Theater Festival (Winston Salem, NC 2019). Ms. Watson is a recipient of the EVIDENCE dance workshop series Beth Young Scholarship and has also received scholarships to intensives such as American Dance Festival and University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She has performed works by choreographers such as Clarice Young, Ronald K. Brown, T Lang, Christopher Huggins and Marcus White, and Shen Wei.This is Shaylin’s second season with EVIDENCE.

DANIEL S. HARDER (Guest Artist) began dancing at Suitland High School’s Center for the Visual and Performing Arts in Maryland and received additional training at the Dance Institute of Washington, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, The Ailey School and Dance Theater of Harlem. Upon graduating, Mr. Harder attended the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance on full scholarship, where he had the opportunity to work with and perform works by world renown choreographers. Before graduating in 2009, he danced in an international tour of West Side Story, and with Camille A. Brown & Dancers. Daniel became a member of Ailey II in 2009 and joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2010, under the direction of Judith Jamison, where he was featured in works by Alvin Ailey, Rennie Harris, Ronald K. Brown, Hans van Manen, Aszure Barton, Ulysses Dove, and Kyle Abraham, to name a few. Recently, Daniel made his Broadway debut in Disney’s THE LION KING. Mr. Harder has had the privilege to work as a choreographer’s assistant with powerhouses including Debbie Allen and Christopher L. Huggins at Lula Washington Dance Theater, Philadanco, and Dallas Black Dance Theater. When Mr. Harder is not performing, he teaches master classes at high schools and universities in the U.S. and abroad.

HANNAH ALISSA RICHARDSON (Guest Artist) is from Toronto, Canada. She has graduated with honors from the prestigious Ailey School. Hannah can be found on TV shows such as Family Channel’s The Next Step, Disney Channel’s Backstage, and also roles in movies. She plays “Katie” in the film Everyday based on the book written by David Levithan, directed by Michael Sucsy. She has also performed in the 2017 fall/winter Vogue Collections fashion video and has been the opening and closing performer for many New York Fashion Week shows. Hannah has performed works by Bradley Shelver, Tina Bush, Ray Mercer, Fredrick Earl Mosley, Clifton Brown, William Forsythe, Moonlight choreographed by Robert Battle at the Lincoln Center, the premiere performance of Grace and Mercy choreographed by Ronald K. Brown at Fisher Center at Bard’s SummerScape festival, and danced in Alvin Ailey’s Memoria during Ailey’s 2017, 2018, and 2019 New York City Center season. Hannah was featured in a dance video tribute to Judy Chicago’s, The Dinner Party, directed by Redha Medjellekh. She was also a principal dancer in performances at the 2020 Holland Dance Festival and took part in a video performance for Def Jam artist Teyana Taylor. Hannah is currently a special guest artist with Evidence, A Dance Company and the newest company member with Ailey II. Hannah is very thankful to those who have guided and supported her along her journey and feels very blessed being able to do what she loves most.

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A special thank you to our patrons whose generous support makes Northrop’s transformative arts experiences possible. Make your mark on Northrop’s future by becoming a Friend today, learn more by visiting northrop.umn.edu/support-northrop. 

We gratefully acknowledge the support from, Arts Midwest Touring Fund, Minnesota State Arts Board, National Endowment for the Arts, New England Foundation for the Arts and RBC Wealth Management. 

We extend a special thank you to our event sponsors PNC Bank, RBC Wealth Management, and HGA. 

This season’s listing is current as of 01/19/21. Please contact Trisha Taylor at taylort@umn.edu if you have any corrections or questions.

THE NORTHROP ADVISORY BOARD

The Northrop Advisory Board is committed to the growth and awareness of Northrop’s mission, vision, and the continued future of presenting world-class dance and music in our community. If you would like more information about the advisory board and its work, please contact Cynthia Betz, Director of Development, at 612-626-7554 or betzx011@umn.edu.