Rushing in Aszure Barton’s LIFT
When Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Matthew Rushing was a teenager, dance teacher Kashmir Blake taught him how intensive research could influence his character development.
“We did one performance called ‘Dance Against Drugs’ about drug rehabilitation. In order to get us more connected to what drug addicts go through, Kashmir took us to a rehab counseling session and brought former addicts in to speak with us. I think I was too young to totally understand what was going on, but my eyes were opened. Today I find myself seeking research that brings me closer to the topics that I am dancing about.”
Catch Rushing with AAADT at New York City Center through Sunday, January 3. We’re giving away a pair of tickets to Ailey’s December 23, 7:30 pm performance!
Photo by Paul Kolnik, courtesy of AAADT
