Application Deadline
May 15, 2021, 5:00pm ESTCONTACT
awhite@balletx.org215-225-5389 x109
In 2015, with support from the Wyncote Foundation, BalletX launched the Choreographic Fellowship program to benefit an emerging choreographer with an opportunity to create a new work on BalletX. Each season the program pairs an emerging artist with an established choreographer to create world premieres ballets presented by BalletX. This season we are featuring mentor Dwight Rhoden with Alia Kache. Continue reading to learn more about Alia’s career. Each season, the program pairs an emerging artist with an established choreographer to create world premieres on BalletX. This year we are featuring mentor Dwight Roden with mentee Alias Kache. Continue reading to learn more about Alia’s career.
Alia Kache is a kinetic storyteller, dancer, educator, and costume designer that has dedicated her choreographic voice to creating honest thought provoking theatrical experiences. She received her early dance training at the Center for Creative Arts and Chattanooga Ballet. A graduate of the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. program, she subsequently joined Ailey II. Her other favorite credits include Camille A. Brown & Dancers, Companhia de Dança Contemporânea (Alcobaça, Portugal), Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Opera Company Philadelphia, Pilobolus Creative Services, and Disney’s The Lion King. Her choreography spans from self-produced evening-length works in notable international festivals (Cistermúsica in Alcobaça, Portugal, Dance Gallery, and FringeNYC) to commissions for Ballet Memphis, Ailey II, Houston Contemporary, Chattanooga Ballet, and Associação de Dança de Leiria (Leiria, Portugal). During her time as rehearsal director of Ailey II, she assisted in choreographing “Against Their Will” - a sex and labor trafficking PSA for MTVu and industrials for Mercedes at the New York International Auto Show.
Dwight RhodenDwight Rhoden is a Founding Artistic Director/Resident Choreographer of Complexions Contemporary Ballet and has established a remarkably wide-ranging career. A native of Dayton, Ohio, who began dancing at age 17, Rhoden has performed with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Les Ballet Jazz De Montreal, and as a principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. As a performer, he has appeared in numerous television specials, documentaries, and commercials throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe and has been a featured performer on many PBS Great Performances specials.
In 1994, Rhoden, along with Desmond Richardson founded Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Together they have brought their unique brand of contemporary dance to the world for over two decades. CCB is widely considered “America’s Original Multicultural Contemporary Ballet Company.” Complexions is celebrated for its pioneering spirit, and the building of a universal brand that continues to challenge traditional ideas and redefine possibilities in the dance arena. Under Rhoden’s direction, Complexions has become a dance institution that is much in demand. CCB has lead the way in Contemporary Ballet in America, by removing traditional boundaries, and celebrating the beauty of differences - through courageous, innovative, and cutting edge programming. Over the years, Complexions has remained consistent in delivering a profound passion for diversity that has framed its vision and become its hallmark.
For nearly 3 decades, Dwights choreography has been the lynchpin in the development of the Complexions repertory and has created over 80 ballets for the company as well as numerous other dance companies nationally and internationally.
Dwight has also directed and choreographed for TV, film, theater, and live performances
He is a beneficiary recipient of various honors and awards including the New York Foundation for the Arts Award, and subsequent induction into the NYFA Hall of Fame, The Choo San Goh Award for Choreography, and The Alvin Ailey Apex Award. Rhoden was nominated for a Benois De La Dance award for his libretto for Gatsby The Ballet and received an Honorary Doctorate degree from The Boston Conservatory in recognition of his extensive contributions to the field of dance.