Francesca Harper, a new artistic director of Ailey II, the second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, announced Wednesday.
A dancer, choreographer, and director whose career spans the ballet and Broadway worlds, Harper may not have danced at any of the Ailey companies, but she’s no stranger to the organization. His mother, Denise Jefferson, ran Ailey School from 1984 to 1984. death in 2010. Harper didn’t just attend dance classes at school; practically grew up there.
“I’ve always admired how he’s progressed in his career, emerging as a kind of Ailey baby and then charting his own course,” said Robert Battle, artistic director of Ailey company. The Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation chose Harper for the role. “It’s an inspiration to be brave and try different things. The other part is just as a teacher: He has a nurturing quality that is very important. I think he has the right amount of empathy, but there is discipline to give. ”
Harper, who started her new job on September 7 as a young dancer, was fascinated by ballet. Alvin Ailey, who had known him since he was little, encouraged him. “He was walking around in socks, which was really fun,” she said. “He would come into the student lounge and ask us how we were doing, how our grades were. I remember complaining that my feet were too big. And ‘Francesca, it’s better to keep the balance,’ he says. Never be aware of your feet.’”
Harper became a member of the Harlem Dance Theater and William Forsythe’s Frankfurt Ballet. She said Ailey had told her, “‘You always have a home waiting for you. And here I am. Isn’t that something?”
Harper, whose Broadway work includes “Fosse,” “All Shook Up,” and “The Color Purple,” has taught at Ailey School for over two decades; He choreographed two pieces for Ailey II and one for the parent company. She’s been running Project Francesca Harper since 2005, but she’s going to give up on it.
He’s busy but working behind the scenes during the pandemic: he’s produced 16 virtual films.
Harper began his interest in film in Frankfurt when Forsythe incorporated it into his work. “That was also one of my passions,” he said. “I can sit at the computer for hours and edit. It’s like choreography to me.”
Battle said he was interested in this breadth of art. “As we started to expand that digital footprint towards collaborations with different kinds of artists, companies and platforms,” he said, “it’s already leaning towards that.”
Harper is successful Troy Powell She had to leave her job last summer after allegations of “inappropriate communication” with adult students in the company’s training program.
Ailey II will return to the stage with Ailey’s annual season at New York City Center in December, performing at Ailey’s “Memoria” and presenting its own 2022 New York season at the Ailey Citigroup Theater from March 23 to April 3. as well as a US tour.
While some members of Ailey II continue to join the parent company, there is no room for all of them. Calling herself the “queen of contact,” Harper has relationships in all aspects of the dance world. Connecting dancers with directors and companies is part of the job she enjoys.
“I saw my mom do that too and she enjoyed it,” Harper said. “I think it really just makes those dreams come true. you are in love. I know I will fall in love with these company members and I want to make sure I take care of them.”