The Westside Gazette

Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation hosts Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Company Member Solomon Dumas

 By Laura Fournier

Thanks to the generous funding of the Rachel Carson Grant, Dreyfoos is hosting Solomon Dumas as a Guest Artist from October 4th through the 8th, teaching master classes and choreographing a guest piece influenced by a social justice cause. Not only do dancers get the opportunity to learn from a working professional company member in Ailey, but they also additionally participate in Horton technique classes (the primary modern technique taught in our department). They also experience a true “blind” audition by wearing numbers and being chosen by the guest choreographer for their piece.

Mr. Dumas will be working on a concept surrounding Anxiety and Depression. “This is something that we, as a society, are finding language to identify this social justice issue,” says Solomon. “Through a retrospective lens, I remember dealing with bouts of anxiety and depression as a young Artist. It is my hope that through this process, the dancers may find a cathartic release in exploring this topic.

Now, in a pandemic, it is important that we take the time to recognize mental health (especially in adolescents) and understand how to identify signs and symptoms.

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