Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Presentation: 6:45 – 7:15 p.m., Krannert Room
Performance: begins at 7:30 p.m., Tryon Festival Theatre
Presenter and Concert Director Sara Hook
October Dance features the historic reconstruction of Katherine Dunham's seminal work Afrique, choreographed in 1949. Dunham, who is considered the matriarch of Black Dance, had a career that spanned Broadway, concert stages, opera, TV, and Hollywood films and inspired artists such as Eartha Kitt and Alvin Ailey. This production of a Dunham classic is directed by George A. Miller Visiting Artist April Berry, a certified master teacher of the Dunham Technique and a former principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In addition, former Hubbard Street dancer and choreographer Rena Butler offers a premiere along with Dance at Illinois resident artists: Dr. Cynthia Oliver performs a spoken word solo, Dr. C. Kemal Nance premieres a work for first-year students, and Associate Professor Roxane D'Orléans Juste performs with her sister, guest artist Sonia D'Orléans Juste.
You must receive a confirmation notice (e-mailed by the CHP shortly before the rehearsal) to attend the event. You must attend the presentation and performance to receive KDR credit.
If this event is full when you try to register, please email chp@illinois.edu to be placed on a waitlist.