Complexions Contemporary Ballet returns to The Music Center, L.A.’s only performing arts center, with performances from June 16–18, 2023, as part of the 20th dance season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center.
The New York-based company, hailed as a “matchless American dance company” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, is led by dance icons Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, who have brought a new, exciting genre to the dance world with their singular approach of reinventing dance and contemporary ballet. As lauded by The Guardian, “…companies like Complexions are game-changing: they’re forging a path for what ballet can be instead of what it historically has been.”
Complexions will present a duo of bold works guaranteed to awaken audiences: WOKE, a dynamic oneact ballet featuring the full company, examines humanity in conjunction with the enlightened awareness of today’s generation. A physical reaction to the daily news, WOKE is set to music by recording artists Kendrick Lamar, Logic, Drake and others. Closing the evening is LOVE ROCKS, set to the Rock ‘n Soul music of GRAMMY® Award-winning singer-songwriter Lenny Kravitz whose lush melodies and retro musical style lay a foundation for passionate storytelling through edgy, athletic and theatrical movement. Rock meets ballet in LOVE ROCKS!
Inspired by Complexions’ performances, The Music Center will produce and present The Music Center’s Love Amplified Poetry Jam, which will be free and open to the public on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, from 7:00–8:30 p.m. in collaboration with Complexions Co-Founder and Artistic Director Dwight Rhoden, Terrell “The Artist” Lewis and Tiffany Bong of UniverSOUL Hip Hop. The experience begins with an outdoor screening of the short film Black is Beautiful on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center followed by a poetry jam that weaves spoken word, dance and music and invites the public to participate. The event will feature Lewis; poet Sean Hill; youth organizations WriteGirl and Get Lit; dancers representing UniverSOUL Hip Hop; and live music by Everything Raw.
In addition, patrons for the June 18, 2023, dance performance will be invited to attend a pre-show discussion, beginning at 1 p.m., with the company’s Co-Founders and Artistic Directors Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion’s Stern Grand Hall.
Tickets to Complexions Contemporary Ballet’s performances are available for purchase now by visiting musiccenter.org/complexions or calling (213) 972-0711.
WATCH A PREVIEW HERE:
