Untitled America, a haunting work that MacArthur “genius grant” winner Kyle Abraham developed over 2015 and 2016, shines a light on the impact of the prison system on African-American families.
When a first movement of the ballet debuted at NY City Center in December 2015, Dance Magazine wrote: "Kudos to Ailey – and Abraham – for keeping the revelations relevant." When a second section was performed at Lincoln Center in June 2016, The New York Times declared, "Mr. Abraham's [dance] vocabulary, with its rich mix of street and studio suggesting a body at war with itself, is potent and explosive and wonderfully of the moment."
Now completed, Abraham's large-ensemble work is set to a soundscape of soul, ambient, percussive, and electronic music mixed with spoken word narration by former prisoners.
WATCH VIDEO: This Incredible Dance Portrays the Impact of Mass Incarceration on African-American Families, TIME Magazine
Leadership support for the creation of Untitled America was made possible by Denise Littlefield Sobel and Tikkun Olam Foundation, Inc.
Major support for the creation of Untitled America was provided by commissioning funds from New York City Center.
Generous support was also provided by Michele & Timothy Barakett, McGue Millhiser Trust, and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
“Father, Father” Words and Music by Laura Pauline Amanda Mvula and (Steven James Brown). © Universal – Songs of Polygram International, Inc. on behalf of Universal Music Publishing LTD. (BMI) / 90% interest for the Territory. Performed by Laura Mvula. Recording courtesy of SME UK Ltd. By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing. “No More My Lawd” Collected, adapted and arranged by Alan Lomax. TRO - © Copyright 1966 (Renewed) Ludlow Music, Inc., New York, NY. New York controls all publication rights for the USA and Canada. Used by Permission. “Passed Over Trail,” and “The Last Foundry” performed by Raime. Written and produced by Joe Andrews and Tom Halstead. © 2012 Blackest Ever Black. Used by permission of Embassy Music Corporation (BMI) o/b/o Mute Song Ltd. (PRS) All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. "Xerrox Isola" Composed by Carsten Nicolai Edition (GEMA), c/o Downtown Music Publishing LLC. Edition Raster Norton. Used with permission. Original composition by Kris Bowers. "Show Me Love" Words and Music by Laura Pauline Amanda Mvula, and Troy Miller. Published by Bucks Music Group Limited administered by Better Be Good / The Royalty Network, Inc and Universal Music Publishing Limited. © Universal Songs of Polygram International, Inc. on behalf of Universal Music Publishing LTD. (BMI) Special thanks to Greenhope Services for Women, Inc. and The Fortune Society.
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