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| When you think about choreography and performances based on the African-American tradition of storytelling and those themes that continue to reflect and impact our lives, what modern dance troupes come to mind?
Perhaps you are reminded of Arthur Mitchell, the founder of Dance Theatre of Harlem who electrified the world of ballet and successfully battled racism as "premier danseur" for the New York City Ballet, first joining the company in 1955.
Maybe the image that haunts you is that of Alvin, the Rogers, Texas-native best known for choreographing the moving piece "Revelations" and founding the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in 1959.
Certainly these icons of dance, both living and dead, deserve our recognition and praise but there are other equally gifted dancers and choreographers on the horizon who are
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making their mark as the leaders of world class dance theaters.
As an example, consider the one-two punch of Kevin Iega Jeff (artistic director) and Gary Abbott (associate artistic director) of Chicago's Deeply Rooted Productions [DRP].
Jeff, a towering, muscular yet graceful figure, is a Julliard graduate whose dance prowess and innovative choreography have captivated audiences for over 25 years.
One of the founders of DRP which next year will celebrate its 15th anniversary, and its current executive director and artistic director, he has provided choreography and direction for some of the most respected dance companies in the world including: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, River North Dance Company, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theater and the Wylliams/Henry Danse Theater.
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| Abbott, another of the five co-founders of DRP, is known for his skills as a choreographer in the dance world and musical theater and has studied under such luminaries as Nicholas Gunn, Donald McKayle, Crystine Lawson and Katherine Dunham.
Together, they now stand on the verge of bringing Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre to the attention of not only the citizens in their home base of Chicago, but to the world. Fresh off their critically acclaimed concert program "Touch," which boasted three premiers and two works from the company's repertoire in Chicago, the duo were recently in Atlanta for a performance, "Up Close and Personal," hosting an intimate evening at the Atlanta Ballet Center for Dance Education.
"I have always been inspired by the idea of touch and decided to use it as our theme for this season," Jeff said. "Our goal is to touch the community by sharing power, intimacy and joy. This season we have moved from our former site, the Harris Theatre, to the Harold Washington Cultural Center. It's a more intimate space and because it is not as cavernous as Harris, it fits nicely with our theme. The works we recently performed were very exciting for me, especially my world premiered piece "Wild in the Wind," which is based on and choreographed to the same-titled song by Nina Simone.
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I heard it back in my teens and always wanted to take on the challenge of presenting a piece that was as powerful as her voice and keyboard skills.
I was also pleased to bring a piece, "Sweet in the Morning," that is a company premier which I choreographed and originated when I was with Jubilation Dance Company in New York [Jeff founded the dance group at the age of 21]."
Abbott's abstract dance piece, "53 Inhale," is another performance that reflects the artist's continued growth and maturity as a topnotch choreographer.
"The work indicates what I felt as I turned 50 and is based on the physical and mental changes that occur for us as we mark that milestone in our lives," he said. "The dance movements are based on situations and creative experiences in my life.
I was also proud to be part of the company premier of "Somewhere," which was inspired by the piece that was sung in West Side Story. We chose a version by the incomparable Aretha Franklin. Our second company has been working on it for a few years and they continued to grow with it - this was the right time for us to bring it to the main stage."
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| As Deeply Rooted prepares to celebrate its 15th anniversary, Jeff and Abbott are busy planning a gala that will certainly showcase the talents of their dancers at Chicago's Merle Reskin Theatre, located on the campus of DePaul University during the week of June 24th - June 27th. They paused for a moment and then shared their memories from the past years of hard work and commitment to their craft.
"I am moved by the magnitude of our journey and its impact on the people who have worked with us and whose talents have made our efforts worthwhile," Jeff said. "I feel that we are a company that is in transition - 15 years is a long time.
We are truly on the verge of even greater possibilities, particularly if the Chicago community continues to embrace us the way they have. It took a lot of work to get to this point and to transmit our vision for the organization to the public.
We are blessed in that many resources are now coming our way and we plan to use those resources to continue to grow to the next level."
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"What strikes me are the artists and those in our community that we touch - it's like a circle because as the company keeps growing those kids who were once a part of
our ensemble go out to achieve even greater success and then return to offer their skills and experience to the next set of dancers," Abbott said. "People like Brian Brooks and Carolina Monnerat are two examples of brilliant people who have returned to Deeply Rooted - it's truly humbling."
"We tell our folks that we are family - that's part of our mission," Jeff said. "And we encourage them to take advantage of any opportunity that comes their way, whether it's as a dancer, a choreographer or a filmmaker.
What happens is that the performances that people experience are from our collective voices - not just from me and Gary. And while these may be difficult times economically, we continue to weather the storm. For us, anyone involved with Deeply Rooted is encouraged to find ways for empowerment through the sharing of their gifts and talents.
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 Gary Abbott and Kevin Iega Jeff
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"Chicago lacks a premier, world class organization that represents the African-American aesthetic and that's what we represent. It's a major city but gaps like that still exist. Today, Chicago has the opportunity to do more than talk about diversity. We're here as its representative. It's the right time for us!"
For more information go to:
Deeply Rooted Productions
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After the Dance: The Artists Speak
The artistry and beauty of dance in all of its myriad forms has always fascinated this writer. But to experience the short program performed by the members of Deeply Rooted Productions during their recent visit to Atlanta, where the company hopes to soon expand its program, was an evening to behold.
Even the standout actress and former Ailey dancer Jasmine Guy, who has recently returned to her hometown of Atlanta, was clearly moved by the synchronized, perfectly executed display of dance precision from the ensemble.
"Watching you I was reminded of the spirit and tenacity it takes to be a high caliber dancer," Guy shared with the group after the completion of the show.
Brian Harlan Brooks, 37, has been with the group since its inception 15 years ago and was the featured dancer in the final dance, Church of Nations - a dramatic piece that uses black folding chairs as the only prop and takes these "church leaders" from movements akin to a boys' choir to a finger-popping Janet Jackson-like march reminiscent of her Rhythm Nation video.
The emotion in their faces told the anguish they felt when war oppresses our land and the "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" motif which was done with rapid hand movements and a series of moans was one of the most creative moments in dance this writer has ever seen.
"When you are a dancer you are conditioned to train every day, and that training never stops," Brooks said. "And when we see others committed to that same kind of work ethic we want them to be part of the group."
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Brooks was referring to one the group's newest member, Tyrell V. Rolle, who moves across the stage as if we were dancing his whole life.
"I met Tyrell while he was a scholarship student," Brooks continued. "Now he serves as one of our rehearsal directors. We keep the continuum going and the younger dancers - they continue to inspire me to do my very best."
"Sometimes we get caught up in the struggle to get ahead and become lost in the marketing side of the business - to the point that we lose our history and the reason we are here," Jeff said. "
As Brian reminds us, we stand on the shoulder of many great men and women who came before us."
"The work is always at the center of our attention," Brooks said. "You are humbled by it at times and learn how to express your own gifts in every role. When we dance, we have fun."
From the Brazilian ballerina, Carolina Monnerat, whose face tells a million stories every time she dons the floor [and who is currently working on a documentary about DRP] to the multi-talented Tracey Franklin whose agility is beyond belief and the sultry Cecelia Webster Jones, a dancer with knockout legs and whose lines, point and stretches confound the imagination, Deeply Rooted Productions is an ensemble that should not be missed. They are what modern dance is all about.
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