Field studies are an essential source of gathering valuable information regarding the subject of interest. Through this method, the researcher is able to immerse themselves in the corresponding environment and observe the subject in it. It is particularly important in the various forms of arts, especially dances. In this case, field studies are centered around professional dancing performances that express the views of artistic directors in the form of movements conducted by professional dancers. In light of the ongoing restrictions imposed by the pandemic, online field studies have also become an important part of the research. The concert under review is titled For Four, Hope, Promise, and Future. It was presented on November 18th at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (For Four, Hope, Promise, and Future). It features performances by Robert Battle, the artistic director, and the theater members Ghrai DeVore-Stokes, Chalvar Monteiro, and Kanji Segaway.
The performance comprised a series of four contemporary ballet dances that were prepared specifically for this digital concert. Accordingly, there are four lead dancers who perform their movements in different locations. Each performer reflects the diversity of the troop, as they are different in terms of sex, race, and age. As the nature of contemporary ballet demands, the dancers are either slim and athletic. To reflect the reality of today and the pandemic, each dance is recorded at a different unnamed location and without a live audience. Moreover, each of the four movements conveys different energy, from strong and upbeat to melancholic and slow. The dancers successfully complete their mission by showing their passion and mastery, as each movement flow in sync with the music and the thought of the director. All music used in the performance is contemporary, and, as the digital format implies, it was recorded. The scenery changes for each of the four movements, from a dim stage of the theater to an outdoor yard and a futuristic abandoned hall. The attire of the dancers transforms accordingly to fit the environment. As for its form, the performance consists of four main parts that are reflected in the name. The organization is abstract, as the dances per se do not directly tell a story. Moreover, they are highly diverse in terms of music, style, and mood. Its function is not limited to entertaining the audience because the performance seems to carry a strong message that is related to its external context.
This pandemic has been a difficult time for the planet and for art, but, as the progression of dance movements suggests, there is always hope, promise, and the future. The team of the Alvin Ailey theater wanted to remind their viewers that no external circumstances could stop the movement. People want to dance and to watch others dance, as well, even if it has to be through the screen of a computer. Thus, while the movements seem disconnected visually and stylistically, they are united by the overarching context of the pandemic and hope for the future that is expressed by all of humanity. The performance is led by the Alvin Ailey theater’s artistic director to show the importance of the message (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater). His skills leave little or no room for doubt, as each frame is perfectly balanced, combining the background ambiance with the energy of the dancers. This explains the outstanding performance of each person engaged in the concert, as they were selected personally by the head of the theater based on the requirements of the role and how they align with the dancers’ personalities.
Overall, this video concert leaves the viewer impressed by the quality of the choreography and the message it conveys. The performance fulfills its purpose in spite of being executed in a digital environment. The computer screen does not prevent the director and the dancers from attaining their objective and prompting the audience to reflect on the past years. From a dim light of hope to a bright future, this sequence takes the viewer on a breathtaking journey of impressive choreography on the verge of cinematography.
Works Cited
“For Four, Hope, Promise, and Future.” YouTube, uploaded by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 2021, Web.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. “Robert Battle, Artistic Director.” Web.