Contemporary Dance: Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, Robin Dunn’s ‘SHOUT’, and Kevin Wynn Tribute

Founded by Ronald K. Brown in 1985 and based in Brooklyn, New York, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, A Dance Company focuses on the seamless integration of traditional African dance with contemporary choreography and spoken word. Through work, EVIDENCE 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 traditional African forms and rhythms. He is an advocate for the growth of the African-American dance community and is instrumental in encouraging young dancers to choreograph and to develop careers in dance. Brown has choreographed work for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Cleo Parker Robinson Ensemble, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Jennifer Muller/The Works, Jeune Ballet d’Afrique Noire, Ko-Thi Dance Company, Philadanco and others. He choreographed Regina Taylor’s award-winning play, Crowns, and won an AUDELCO Award for his work on that production. The company has traveled internationally to perform, teach master classes, and conduct lectures/demonstrations for individuals of all ages. EVIDENCE brings arts education and cultural connections to local communities that have historically lacked these experiences. The company reaches an audience of more than 25,000 people per year.

Program

SHOUT
Choreographer: Robin Dunn
Associate Choreographer/Rehearsal Director: Ray F. Davis
Choreography/“Never Would Have Made It” :   Manuela D. Sanchez
Music Edit: Gabriel Schleifer
Dancers: Brooke Brookshire, Stacie Cannon, Ray F. Davis, Jeremy “Sebastian” Fernandez, Patrice Golbourne, Holly Googe, Anna Patrick, Martell Ruffin, Manuela D. Sanchez, Haamid “Caleb” Smith, Carmella Taitt, Janice Tomlinson, Andrea Ward
RCE Singers: Christina Morgan-Diaz and Chanique
Company Manager: Elka Samuels Smith, Divine Rhythm Productions
Assistant Company Manager: Naomi Jones

Creative Director, Choreographer and F.A.C.E. Coach Robin Dunn brings to you “SHOUT, a Celebration of Hip Hop Dance and Gospel.” This high energy and uplifting piece showcases all of Robin’s passions for dance, music and inspiration. Robin teams up with SHOUT’s Associate Choreographer and Jazz Continuum performer Ray F. Davis once again to showcase the 2024 version of the piece.  SHOUT was inspired by Robin’s late brother-in-law, Ronald James Crichlow, CEO and founder of the Gospel recording company, RJC Productions and the musical ensemble RCE. The piece blends hip hop and contemporary jazz dance styles and features the vocal virtuosity of RCE’s Christina Morgan Diaz and Chanique Rogers. Other featured performers include former Ailey II dancer Martell Ruffin, dancer, model, fitness professional and choreographer of SHOUT’s “Never Would Have Made It,” Manuela D. Sanchez as well as recent University of the Arts graduate Brooke Brookshire. The ensemble includes some of the most dynamic dancers in New York City. SHOUT debuted in 2010 at The Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts (aka, EMIA) in Kent, CT. Robin and Ray give thanks to Earl Mosley for his continued support of SHOUT. Be ready to clap your hands, sing, dance and experience the joy of SHOUT.

Robin has appeared in and choreographed several off-broadway productions, as well as directing “Amateur Night" at the world-famous Apollo Theater. Her client list includes Saturday Night Live, Nickelodeon, Sesame Street, Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame inductee Missy Elliot, and more. Dunn's method for breathing life into a performance is through her patented Robin Dunn's F.A.C.E. (Focus, Attitude, Confidence, Energy, and Eye Contact) technique. F.A.C.E. is a tightly constructed technique designed to develop and enhance artists, business professionals and individuals with being more comfortable on stage, on camera and in the workplace. Dunn teaches Hip Hop dance and is on faculty at The Ailey Extension and Steps on Broadway. This former Adjunct at Hunter College is currently an Adjunct at The City University of New York teaching Hip Hop Dance, History and Cultural Importance. She is a contributing author of the award winning book “Women Behind The Mic, Volume 1, Curators of the Culture”  by Dr. LaJoyce Brookshire and Michelle Joyce.” In 1989, she and her sisters, Desiree Crichlow and Greta Dunn of Duntori & Company were the first to introduce the art form of Hip Hop dance to a mainstream studio at New York's Broadway Dance Center. Robin’s mission in life is to shape lives, build dreams and give hope for the future.

The dance community pays tribute to beloved dancer and choreographer Kevin Wynn, who passed away late last year. The Kevin Wynn Tribute will celebrate the life of Wynn, a former dancer with José Limón Dance Company and Dianne McIntyre’s Sounds in Motion, as well as a dedicated teacher at Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College, where he touched the lives of many dancers.

Program

Oscenian Solo
Choreography by Kevin Wynn
Performed by Chalvar Monteiro

Waters in Proteus
Choreography by Kevin Wynn
Performed by Roderick George

The Stonewave Sextet
Choreography by Kevin Wynn
Music by Soundscape
Costumes by Nadia Tarr
Performed by Julienne Buenaventura, Jojo Boykins, Matthew McLaughlin, Destin Morisset, Spirit Priester, Solange Rodrigues, Hattie Mae Williams
Restaged by Maureen Damaso Wright, Marijke Eliasberg, Jana Hicks

Roderick George was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He spent his formative years' training at Ben Stevenson’s Houston Ballet Academy, The Alvin Ailey School, and the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). George was a bronze winner of the Youth American Grand Prix in 2005 and a YoungArts Winner and Presidential Scholar of the Arts in 2003. He has danced for Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Basel Ballet/Theater Basel, GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, and The Forsythe Company. He has performed the work of choreographers such as Marie Chouinard, Peeping Tom, Jorma Elo, Jacopo Godani, William Forsythe, Johan Inger, Jiří Kylian, Sharon Eyal, Ohan Naharin, Benoit Swan-Pouffer, and Richard Wherlock.

Chalvar Monteiro is a NY based teacher, choreographer, and performer currently with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He has worked with Sidra Bell Dance New York, Elisa Monte Dance, Keigwin+Company, BODYTRAFFIC, GALLIM, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, Ailey II. In 2019 Mr. Monteiro was selected to participate in Merce Cunningham Trust’s Night of 100 Solos: A Centennial Event. Chalvar joined the faculty at Tisch School of the Arts in 2020 and his choreography has been presented as part of Ailey’s 2021 Virtual Spirit Gala, Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City, as well as other festivals and institutions across the U.S. Chalvar has been featured in Vogue Beauty, Document Journal for Moncler, and fashion campaigns for Uniqlo and Lululemon.