INTERVIEW: Ailey II’s Sylvia Waters mentors emerging choreographer for NJPAC program
Jersey (New) Moves! Emerging Choreographers, an annual showcase of up-and-coming choreographers in New Jersey, will be presented at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center Friday, June 17 at 8 p.m. In the program will be a selection from Kyle Marshall, originally from North Brunswick, New Jersey, who graduated Magna Cum Laude from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. His mentor during the program was none other than the legendary Sylvia Waters, artistic director emerita for Ailey II, the company of young dance talent under the umbrella of the highly influential Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Waters was invited to join the program by Donna Walker-Kuhne, vice president of community engagement at NJPAC and someone who helped lead the dance efforts at the well-respected institution in Newark, New Jersey. Waters now heads The Ailey Legacy Residency, a lecture, technique and repertory program for college-level students.
“I had been a director of Ailey II for a number of years, and I always worked with emerging choreographers,” Waters said recently in a phone interview. “So it was kind of natural.”
When mentoring Marshall, Waters found his work interesting and his work ethic admirable. “He works very hard,” she said. “I think he has a very wonderful movement language, and … he works through things quite thoroughly.”
When Waters partnered with Marshall, who currently performs with Doug Elkins Choreography Etc., Tiffany Mills Company and 10 Hairy Legs, she did not interfere or interrupt. She chose to watch, either at the beginning, middle or end of a rehearsal. Afterward she would have a conversation with Marshall and offer her thoughts on what she observed during the process. It was a true mentorship, and Marshall had the choice to agree or disagree with Waters’ take on the performance.
“I find him very organized,” she said. “His material is well thought out. He’s working with two wonderful dancers, and he’s in the piece himself. … They do everything full out, and it’s quite impressive because I think he realizes this was such a unique opportunity, first of all, to be chosen and to be given the time and the space to develop his choreographic voice. It’s a very, very special situation, very unique, and that’s a choreographer’s dream.”
At Ailey II, Waters tries to keep herself busy and involved. Her partnership with the company dates back to 1968, when she joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and toured with the company. In 1974, when she was personally selected by Ailey to become artistic director of Ailey II, and she held that post for 38 important years. She is a graduate of The Juilliard School and performed regularly on television in Paris. Among her career highlights are performing at the Summer Olympics in Mexico and receiving an honorary doctorate from the State University of New York at Oswego. Her accolades include a Bessie Award, Dance Magazine Award, Women of Distinction Award from Syracuse University and Legacy Award as part of the 20th-annual IABD Festival.
“Yes, I have been involved with the company for a very long time, and at the school from time to time, I’ll do workshops,” she said. “I’m working in archives, which is very interesting. You know, identifying materials, photos, what have you, and I’m learning a lot.”
For Waters, a profession in the dance industry was a decision she made early in life. “I felt this is something that made me feel great, that was exhilarating, that was exciting,” she said. “I don’t know if I knew what the word challenged meant at the time, but it was something I thoroughly enjoyed.”
When looking out at the modern-dance world in 2016, Waters is excited at what she sees. She is not underwhelmed by the emerging choreographers and dancers, and she noted how many of them are coming from different perspectives and directions.
As far as NJPAC’s Jersey (New) Moves! Emerging Choreographers program, Waters hopes the audience appreciates Marshall’s inspired, personal voice. In her mind, he has something pertinent and nuanced to say. “I’m hoping that they will be encouraging and accepting of this young person,” she said.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Jersey (New) Moves! Emerging Choreographers will be presented at NJPAC Friday, June 17 at 8 p.m. Click here for more information. Other choreographers featured in the program include Kamille King (mentored by Karen Love, artistic director of Umoja Dance Company), Ariel Grossman (mentored by Douglas Martin, artistic director of American Repertory Ballet) and Scott Willits (mentored by Maurice Chestnut, choreographer/tap dancer).
