REIMAGING ALVIN AILEY’S REVELATIONS IN 2024
UCLA Graduate Student Honors and Challenges ‘Dancestor’ in PASS US NOT: Holy Ghosted Performance
LOS ANGELES, CA March 20, 2024:
Aquilah “KHILA” Ohemeng, choreographer/director of PASS US NOT: Holy Ghosted, is currently an MFA
Candidate in UCLA’s World Arts and Cultures/Dance Choreographic Inquiry program. PASS US NOT: Holy
Ghosted embarks on the Philadelphia native’s choreographic and directorial debut here in Los Angeles. The work is in conjunction with UCLA WAC/D’s MFA Upstarts Series 2024 and will take place in Glorya Kaufman Dance Theater on Friday April 26th and Saturday April 27th, 2024 at 8pm. All are welcome; admission is free.
Reimagining Revelations, PASS US NOT: Holy Ghosted, an evening-length group performance reinterprets
Alvin Ailey’s 1960 work Revelations through the lens of frustrations and aspirations that Generation Z members navigate in a “post-pandemic” United States. Ohemeng uses archival research (written and embodied) to converse with the use of traditional African-American spirituals in Revelations’ soundscore and their original meanings and connotations. Ohemeng states, “Despite the historical and continued oppression of Black bodies, these songs’ composition foregrounds themes of struggle and endurance that we still experience today. As we all navigate this thing called “life,” such lyrics have the potential to become inclusive with recognition of the context and circumstances that caused them to arise.” She adds, “With a young and racially diverse cast, I am interested in how my generation is dealing with struggle, depleted hope, and communal healing. In this work, the performers share their experiences and grievances in order to be in conversation with these iconic songs,
identifying what’s real for them.” PASS US NOT: Holy Ghosted reenvisions Revelations’ movement aesthetics through a unique blend of African diasporic dance forms including hip-hop/street dance with Ailey’s notable fusion of ballet and modern movement.
Following April 26th’s performance, there will be a reception with light refreshments in the Kaufman Courtyard.
After April 27th’s performance, there will be a moderated artist talkback, moderated by Miguel Guttierez, an award-winning choreographer and WAC/D Associate Professor.
To RSVP for this event, please RSVP HERE.