In celebration of Black History Month, the School of Dance presents premiere works by prominent choreographers of color, including  UNCSA alum Juel Lane, Rena Butler and West African Dance instructor Wesley Williams. Williams, owner of the SUAH African Dance Theatre, will be choreographing an African dance, the first time this style has been performed at UNCSA.

In addition to these new works, you’ll also enjoy an excerpt from Robert Garland’s (Dance Theatre of Harlem’s first resident choreographer) “Joplin Dances” (premiered by Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1995), set to music by the renowned African American composer, Scott Joplin. The New York Times called the piece a “premiere in Ragtime” that mirrors in motion the jaunty, syncopated style that Joplin is credited with creating. The talents of students from both the contemporary and ballet programs will be on full display in what is guaranteed to be a show-stopping event.

Sponsored, in part, by the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts.