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Black and white photo of the company performing in Fathers and Sons. The dancers are interacting with a frame structure resembling a house, with some climbing and others extending their limbs in dynamic poses. The scene captures a sense of movement and balance.

Repertory

Fathers and Sons

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

WORLD PREMIERE

New York City Center, 1995

ASSISTANTS TO CHOREOGRAPHER

Kelly Drummond-Cawthon and Edward Winslow

MUSIC

Composition by Scott Killian; vocals by Carol Lipnik

COSTUMES

Kaye Voyce

LIGHTING

Roma Flowers

SET

Chris Müller

RUN TIME

32 Minutes

Fathers and Sons, choreographed by husband-and-wife team Danial Shapiro and Joanie Smith, is a family portrait that explores the gap between generations, dealing with love and conflict, with special emphasis on the father-son relationship. The work, created in 1995, has music by Scott Killian and an elaborate set—part treehouse, part jungle gym—resembling the framework of a house. Dancers were paid a hazard fee to perform the daredevil choreography that required them to swing from the set’s beams and climb its walls.

A black and white photograph of a dance group in dynamic poses. Nine dancers are positioned closely together, some standing and some seated on stools. They wear loose clothing and appear to be mid-performance, engaging with expressive gestures and facial expressions. In the background, there is a geometric framework structure. The image is titled "The Company in Fathers and Sons.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Shapiro and Smith's Fathers and Sons Photo by Roy Volkmann

Black and white photo of the company performing in Fathers and Sons. The dancers are interacting with a frame structure resembling a house, with some climbing and others extending their limbs in dynamic poses. The scene captures a sense of movement and balance.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Danial Shapiro and Joanie Smith's Fathers and Sons Photo by Gert Krauthbauer

Black and white photo of Solange Sandy, Michael Joy, Dwana Smallwood, and Guillermo Asca performing in Fathers and Sons. The dancers interact with a frame structure resembling a house. Solange stands on top, leaning back in a dress, while Michael supports her from below. Dwana and Guillermo are positioned on either side of the frame.

Solange Sandy, Michael Joy, Dwana Smallwood, and Guillermo Asca in Shapiro and Smith's Fathers and Sons Photo courtesy of the Ailey Archives