photo by ellyxandria ferguson
So once you ‘retire,’ you two are settling into St. Louis and will work side-by-side at the COCA. Will you be dancing or creating choreography? Antonio: We will actually have the title of co-
ALVIN AILEY’S ANTONIO DOUTHIT-BOYD
LOVE IN PERFECT RHYTHM
AND KIRVEN DOUTHIT-BOYD by lisa lipsey
What do you get when you combine one of Men’s Health magazine 2014 “50 Fittest Male Athletes in the World” with a gorgeously fit Alvin Ai- ley dancer? The Ailey Dance Theater company’s Douthit-Boyds. They are built, beautiful and just married. The newlyweds can be spotted perform- ing, along with their famed company, at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles, later this month. This is the last chance to admire their craft and athleticism, because at the end of this season, at the conclusion of their U.S. and Paris tour, the pair are retiring from Ailey. They are planning to settle into their new life of home-buying and teaching young people dance at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) in St. Louis, Missouri.
Did the two of you meet through Ailey Dance Theater? Kirven: Antonio and I actually met years ago when he was a member of
DTH [Dance Theatre of Harlem] and I was a student at the Ailey School. We didn’t get to know each other until much later in life, almost right before we had both gotten into the company. Then, it just grew into where we are today. What is life like on the road? Antonio: We have been enjoying travelling together. Kirven is easy to
talk to regarding any situation. We don’t always perform together but we share meals and a good laugh. I enjoy just talking with him. What is the greatest challenge of being a dancer? Kirven: The great challenge is also my greatest joy; it’s having so much
in our repertoire. We change hats quickly going from ballet to ballet. The multiple shows we are doing, make it a bit overwhelming.
50 RAGE monthly | APRIL 2015 RAGE monthly
“We always encourage
kids to learn all they can, to be a sponge. Yes, you have to
hone your craft and technique, but also get involved in
other artistic experiences and sports.”
The Alvin Ailey 2015touring
repertoire runs Wednesday,
April 15 through
Sunday, April 19 at the Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. For
tickets and more information, call 213.972.0711 or
go tomusiccenter. org/ailey.
artistic directors. We will be working with pre-profes- sional youth, ages 13 to 19. I look forward to teaching them dedication and hard work. They should know, with their young bodies, that they have a chance to go anyplace. We always encourage kids to learn all they can, to be a sponge. Yes, you have to hone your craft and technique, but, also get involved in other artistic experiences and sports. What do you enjoy most about this year’s Ailey repertoire? Kirven: The Ailey reps are always really exciting, because of the variety of dance. Every year, we have new pieces. Audiences should expect to see some- thing great. Antonio: Ailey has every style of dance imagin-
able. We’re not ballet dancers, modern dancers, jazz dancers, hip-hop dancers, we are Ailey. I don’t have a favorite, to me, that means you’re good at it all.
The Douthit-Boyd duo joins the rest of Ailey’s
extraordinary dancers, as they bring a powerful and memorable three nights of programs at the The Mu- sic Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. This is their fifth time appearing, always to sold-out crowds, so get your tickets early! This company has earned the right to take great
pride in their work. Just prior to the launch of their 2014-15 season and U.S. tours, Artistic Director Robert Battle accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the nation’s highest civilian honor—on behalf of Alvin Ailey. Bestowed 25 years after the passing of the company’s legendary founder, Presi- dent Obama proclaimed that “through him, African- American history was told in a way that it had never been told before; with passionate, virtuoso dance performances that transfixed audiences worldwide.” Along with Ailey classics, this season the com-
pany is introducing audiences to two different and respected choreographers, whose works are being performed by Ailey for the first time. The Ailey Organization also continues its mission of using dance to educate young people through student performances and master classes.
photo by andrew eccles
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