Ronald K. Brown

Where do I start?…..

In 2000, I walked into the New York State Theater to see the Ailey company. By that time I had already seen many Ailey performances, but never at that venue. However, It was a special occasion, the company was there as part of the Lincoln Center Festival. When the curtain went up for Ronald K. Browns “Grace” I was sucked in by a angelic female solo. In the next section, when the house beat dropped in the home of New York City Ballet, so did my jaw. Is it possible that I didn’t blink for the whole piece?? Anyway, it felt that way. You could see that the dancers were having so much fun. Ron’s movement on the Ailey dancers is a match made in heaven…Matthew Rushing…I live. Many others as well. The music was so good. I think everyone in the public was at least tapping a foot. I left the theater so energized. That performance stuck with me. Believe it or not… I had never seen such a thing. Whenever Ailey would do the piece at following City Center season, I would always try to go and watch. A few times I would even see Ron, as he is known, in the back of the audience standing discretely in a corner watching his piece and grooving silently with he dancers. He definitely had a smile on his face.

As a dancer growing up in NYC you knew the name Ronald K. Brown. He founded Evidence, A Dance Company in 1985. I was lucky enough to see the company perform a few times in NYC over the years. Ron has set works on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Cleo Parker Robinson Ensemble, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Jennifer Muller/The Works, Philadanco, and Muntu Dance Theater of Chicago, Ballet Hispanico and MalPaso. He also choreographed Regina Taylor’s award-winning play, Crowns and won an AUDELCO Award for his work on that production. Brown has received two Black Theater Alliance Awards and a Fred and Adele Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography on Broadway for the Tony Award Winning The Gershwin’s’ Porgy and Bess. He also worked on Suzan- Lori Parks’ “Father Comes Home From the Wars” for The Public Theater. In addition Ron has received; The John Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship, National Endowment for the Arts Choreographers Fellowship, New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, United States Artists Rose Fellow, The Ailey Apex Award for teaching and Def Dance Jam Mentor of the Year Award. Brown is a member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

I always wanted to work with him…I wanted to move like those Ailey dancers. We all did! My Juilliard classmates and I would try and imitate his style. To all of our surprise, we got our chance… at Juilliard. Lawrence Rhodes, the director, invited Ron to make a creation for my class as part of his New Dances program. I am lucky! Having Ron at Juilliard was really nice. His process was so involved and focused. He didn’t say much. The creation was like a movement flow. He had our full attention. In the end, he created “Dances For Peace”, a cool creation for our class. He split the casts into the boys and the girls. He gave everyone a chance. We worked so hard. The day of the premiere he gave each student a card with a personal note. In my card he said something like…you’re good but you could be better… I don’t remember the exact words, but the message was clear. I took it to heart. It was what I needed to hear at that time. He left an big impression on me.

Over the years I continued to follow his work. I never saw him again after that 2005 creation at Juilliard. When I recently reached out to him for this interview, I was honestly afraid he wouldn’t even remember me. He replied immediately as friendly and positive as I remember. This is a very special interview for me because whether Ron knows it or not I have much respect for him and his work. I am very happy to have him a part of this series.

Thank you Ron for your inspiration.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to do what you’re doing now?

When I was younger I wanted to be a dancer, then a writer and during HS a journalist. I made my first dance in 2nd grade on a school trip to see Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. I went on to make dances that I would show to my family or an imaginary audience, then finally talent shows in HS.

Ron’s Favorite Things

 Favorite Things to eat?

Mashed Potatoes, Collard Greens, Salmon Cake

Favorite Books?

Sassafrass, Cypress and Indigo by Ntzokake Shange. Water and the Spirit by Malidoma Some

Favorite Movies?

Zucker Baby, Love Jones, Bridesmaids, Brother to Brother, Tongues Untied

Favorite Dance Piece or Show/Musical or both?

Episodes by Ulysses Dove, Hymn by Judith Jamison, and the musical Dreamgirls…In High School I went over 7 times.

I like dancers who…

….are humble and generous.

I am afraid of…

….falling from a great height.

A dance piece should…

….be a gift to the viewer.

Something you like to do other than your current job?

I like to cook, dance for fun, spend time with my family (two sisters, one brother, 3 God Children, 3 nieces, 3 nephews.) I also enjoy mixing and playing music.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

In 1996 I was performing in Denver, and came out of a jump and damaged my calf. I thought I could still run to the next moment and ended up limping across the stage and in to the wings.

One of the hardest things about your job?

The balance between the business and the art. Chasing money….and getting in to the studio without worrying about funds and where from, how and when…being a constant concern.

One of the happiest moments in your life?

The first time that I went to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire in 1995.

One of your most unusual or coolest experiences?

For our 25th Anniversary, at the Evidence Gala Ms. Judith Jamison introduced one of Arcell Cabuag’s favorite dances “To Harm The Dangerous” and onstage over 15 alumni came out to join the current company and performed. I had no idea they had been preparing this behind my back. A beautiful moment.

Who has been the most influential person/people in your life? or Career? and why?

Choreographer Maguy Marin because of the theatrical nature of the work and the social commentary. Teacher and Mentor Bessie Schonberg for reminding and challenging me “Do what you intend” and “Don’t give in to the pressure to always do something new, make sure people know where you have come from”. Then there are a list of pioneers whose legacy allows me to dream; Alvin Ailey, Katherine Dunham, Donald McKayle, Dianne McIntyre, Pearl Primus and to many others that have let us know what is possible.

Do you have any goals you still wish to achieve?

I would like to create a dance show for an extended run.

Dear aspiring artists,

“Work for the sake of the work, not for the sake of the goal”. I think sometimes artists are already famous (an elder told me “they were famous yesterday”). Being an artist is already a very sensitive position to assume, so to open yourself even more to seeking, waiting for and needing approval or accolades can get in the way of discovering ones voice.

— Ronald K. Brown

 Photo Journal

Have you worked with Ron? Have you seen his work? Help me say thank you by sharing your stories in the comments below. Thank YOU for reading!