Program
YouTube
Instagram
Facebook
"Dearest Home", "An Untitled Love", "If we were a Love Song", "Ne Me Quitte Pas" - the very titles of his works sound like a love song compilation. In his work, US choreographer Kyle Abraham combines ballet, modern dance and urban dance styles to create unique worlds of movement. "Hope is a Movement" - this sentence is both the program and the space for reflection in his art. With a background in social dance, Abraham once danced house in clubs. Today, he choreographs for renowned companies such as the New York City Ballet and the Royal Ballet London and has worked with artists such as Sufjan Stevens and Beyoncé. He also develops works with his own company A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, which are in intensive dialogue with the music of the 21st century and give space to the specific experiences of Black Americans.
To mark the 20th anniversary of A.I.M, Kyle Abraham, together with twelve dancers and two musicians, presents a mixed bill evening with a premiere and three outstanding repertoire pieces.
In "2x4", four dancers and two baritone saxophones enter into an intense dialogue between closeness, power and care. "Dearest Home (Excerpt)" is a poetic piece about love, longing and loss. The solo "Show Pony" reflects on visibility, role models and self-perception. And in the new ensemble production "Meditation Reprise", Abraham combines his dance origins with private and collective memories. HELLERAU is presenting this piece as a world premiere in collaboration with the REAL DANCE Festival Hannover.
An evening that gives movement to collective hope.
Program
| 1 | 2x4 (ca. 15 min) |
| 2 | Dearest Home (Excerpt) (ca. 11 min) |
| Intermission (ca. 20 min) | |
| 3 | Show Pony (ca. 5 min) |
| 4 | Meditation Reprise (Weltpremiere) (ca. 20 min) |
© Alexander Diaz
© Alexander Diaz
© Alexander Diaz
© Alexander Diaz
Biography
Kyle Abraham for PAPER MAG, Image: Timothy Greenfield Sanders
Kyle Abraham, celebrated choreographer and artistic director of A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, has been presenting his work internationally since 2006. He is an Olivier Award nominee (2025) and recipient of numerous awards including the National Dance Critics Award (2024), Dance Magazine Award (2022), Princess Grace Statue Award (2018), Doris Duke Award (2016) and the MacArthur Fellowship (2013). Abraham has created works for leading companies such as American Ballet Theater, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Ballet and The Royal Ballet. in 2024 he celebrated successes with "Cassette Vol. 1" (Hamburg), "Mercurial Son" (ABT) and "Dear Lord, Make Me Beautiful" (Park Avenue Armory). He is a professor at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
About the Company
Photo: Tatiana Wills
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham has, for nearly two decades, been at the forefront of contemporary dance, becoming one of the most acclaimed touring companies in the world. Celebrating its 20th anniversary throughout 2026, the company exemplifies “lush movement, infectious music and magnetic dancers..." as noted by The New York Times. A.I.M has been featured in Vogue, Essence, among many other publications, and was on the April 2025 cover of the Harper’s Bazaar. The company is described as a “postmodern gumbo” with an ardent voice and artistic process informed by robust conversations with people from diverse perspectives. A.I.M performs works by Abraham as well as new and existing works by choreographers who have influenced Abraham’s artistry. A.I.M is based in New York City.
Cast & Credits
| Artistic Director | Kyle Abraham |
| Executive Director | Emily Waters |
| Director of Touring and Artistic Operations | Ben Pryor |
| Director of Development | Lesedi Stofsky |
| Rehearsal Director | Jessica Tong |
| Logistics Manager | Matthew Baker |
| Senior Development Lead | Danielle LeBron |
| Touring Logistics Lead | Micaelina Carter |
| Production Stage Manager | Meredith Belis |
| Lighting Supervisor | Dan Stearns |
| Performers | Mykiah Goree, Alysia Johnson, Faith Joy Mondesire, Destin Morisset, William Okajima, Niya Smith, Keturah Stephen, Gianna Theodore, Olivia Wang, Jayden Williams (swing) |
Funding
The premiere is presented in cooperation with the REAL DANCE Festival in Hannover.
With the support of the Goethe-Institut.
