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Judith Jamison is in the foreground, extending her body forward in a dynamic pose, wearing a lacy dress. Kelvin Rotardier, dressed in a shirt and tie, is holding her arm, while Dudley Williams, shirtless, is behind them with an arm raised. The background is dark, highlighting the dancers.

Repertory

The Black Belt

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

COMPANY PREMIERE

Billy Rose Theater, 1969

WORLD PREMIERE

1968

MUSIC

Duke Ellington

DÉCOR

Talley Beatty

DÉCOR & COSTUMES

Edward Burbridge

MUSIC STYLE

Jazz

Talley Beatty’s The Black Belt depicts the struggle, tumult, violence, anger, and chaos of the American civil rights movement. The final scene is one of riot and wrath, as lights flash and the dancers utter words of frustration and rage.  

Judith Jamison is in the foreground, extending her body forward in a dynamic pose, wearing a lacy dress. Kelvin Rotardier, dressed in a shirt and tie, is holding her arm, while Dudley Williams, shirtless, is behind them with an arm raised. The background is dark, highlighting the dancers.

Kelvin Rotardier, Dudley Williams, Judith Jamison in Talley Beatty's The Black Belt Photo by Jack Mitchell. (©) Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. and Smithsonian Institution