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Two dancers are performing on stage with dramatic lighting and a foggy atmosphere. The dancer in the foreground is in a wide, low split with arms extended out to the sides, head bowed. The dancer in the background is standing, wearing a white top and blue pants, with one arm raised. The stage is lit with purple lighting, creating a moody effect.

Repertory

Gemeos

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

WORLD PREMIERE

Ailey Citigroup Theater, 2016

MUSIC

“Egbe Mi O (Carry Me I Want to Die)” from Fela Ransome – Kuti and The Africa 70 with Ginger Baker (Live), published by Glenwood Music Corp.

COSTUMES

Epperson

LIGHTING

Brandon Stirling Baker

RUN TIME

13 Minutes

Former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer Jamar Roberts made his Ailey II choreographic debut with his work Gêmeos (Portuguese for twins).

Loosely based on the relationship between Roberts and his brother growing up as children—one a dancer, the other an athlete—Roberts illustrates the dynamic between contrasting personalities and how they evolve from hostility to harmony. Using music with heavy percussion, brassy horns, groovy bass guitar, and the commanding singing style of Afrobeat star Fela Kuti, Roberts perfectly captures the energy of youth in Gêmeos. 

Two dancers, a male and a female, performing on stage. They are leaning against each other back-to-back, arms outstretched, with one leg bent and the other extended. Both wear sleeveless tunics and leggings, and the background is dark with purple lighting.

Ailey II's Courtney Celeste Spears and Jacoby Pruitt in Gêmeos Photo by Eduardo Patino

Two male dancers performing on stage. The dancer on the left extends his arm towards the dancer on the right, who is kneeling. Both wear sleeveless tunics and leggings, and the background is dark with purple lighting.

Ailey II's Gabriel Hyman and Lloyd A. Boyd III in Gêmeos Photo by Eduardo Patino

A woman and a man both wearing leggings and a lose tank top jump up in the air with one leg bent and arms reaching up in the air.

Ailey II's Gabriel Hyman and Lloyd A. Boyd III in Jamar Roberts' Gêmeos Photo by Eduardo Patino