”Serving Nia” was commissioned and created for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2001.
Ronald K. Brown and Associate Artistic Director Arcell Cabuag reimagined and restaged this work for EVIDENCE as part of its 40th Anniversary season and in honor of Judith Jamison.
Nia means ‘purpose’ in Swahili.
I see the piece as an exercise in learning your purpose, a sense of duty in life, and how we can shift to a level of understanding one’s sense of responsibility and purpose in life.
A variety of musical selections underscore the melding of genres and the ballet’s themes, including music by jazz musician Roy Brooks: “The Free Slave,” and Dizzy Gillespie’s “Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac.” There’s a sense of humor in it. It starts with this Yoruba Chant… and that’s where the piece finishes. It’s all about these angels reminding us to serve our purpose until our time is done.
– Ronald K. Brown
